Vintage stocking stuffers: a little Christmas magic in every sock
For some of us, stockings are still part of the holiday fun—whether we’re stuffing them for someone else or sneaking in a little treat for ourselves (because self-care counts, right?). Stockings might not hold the showstopper present, but they always managed to deliver some of the most memorable holiday moments.
In decades past, Christmas stockings were stuffed with all kinds of charming and practical goodies. Crayola crayons were a perennial favorite for kids, offering endless hours of artistic adventures.
Character-themed treasures like Garfield pens and school supplies brought beloved comic strip characters into the mix, while timeless staples like candy canes and chocolate Santas made everyone smile. For those who loved a little sparkle, craft kits like Makit & Bakit “stained glass” projects let kids create their own colorful decorations.
Collectibles also had their moment in the spotlight. Baseball cards, stamp kits, and mini toys found their way into stockings, sparking curiosity and fueling hobbies that sometimes lasted for years. These small but thoughtful gifts were a way to connect with loved ones, offering something meaningful without being extravagant.
Looking back at vintage stocking stuffers from the mid-20th century, it’s fun to see how trends have changed (Captain Kangaroo merch, anyone?) while some classics — like puzzles, books, and playful trinkets — have stayed timeless. These little gifts were often practical, always fun, and occasionally just what you didn’t know you wanted.
The charm of stocking stuffers lies in their ability to surprise and delight, no matter your age. And while you probably won’t find some of these vintage treasures at your local store, there are plenty of modern-day equivalents to keep the tradition alive. Whether it’s a quirky toy, a sweet treat or something useful, today’s options capture the same magic that stockings have always delivered.
We’ve gathered vintage photos and old ads of Christmas stocking stuffers that our moms and grandmas might’ve shopped for, along with links to modern versions that are sure to bring a little extra holiday cheer. Come take a look — and don’t forget to share your favorite stocking memories in the comments! -BB
SCHOOL SUPPLIES & THINGS LIKE…
A Crayola Crayon rainbow of colors (1965)
Make all the colors of Christmas your gift: Few toys offer a child so much, cost so little as the new CRAYOLA Crayons Color Drawing Set.
Here are 72 brilliant CRAYOLA crayons. A drawing booklet with tiny rhymes to spark imaginations. A second booklet packed with things to do with crayons. A sharpener to keep them pointed, like new.
Your gift of the CRAYOLA Crayons Color Drawing Set will make Christmas more colorful and the days after more fun.
…or you could try something a little different!
Colorful vintage Bic ballpoint pens
OH YEAH: Remember the pens you could erase? Look back at Eraser Mate & Scripto Erasable Pen from the ’80s
Your student might actually like taking notes at school with these pens:
Garfield the cat pens and school supplies (1984)
PERSONALIZED STUFF LIKE…
Personalized pencils – your name embossed in golden letters!
ALSO SEE: Vintage Me Books: 1970s computer-personalized storybooks, including My Friendly Giraffe
They cost a little more now, but of course you can still get pencils personalized with your name
Personalized patch from the 1970s – Nancy
DON’T MISS:🎄1970s Christmas memories: Relive the magic through these vintage images & videos
Captain Kangaroo personalized record for Matthew
MORE OF THESE: 70s kids: Remember vintage Captain Kangaroo records personalized with your name?
CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFER TOYS & GAMES LIKE…
Vintage Slinky toys
FIND OUT MORE: How the classic Slinky toy was invented, plus see vintage variations
The original, but make it collector’s edition
Vintage m&ms candy stuffed toys from 1987
ALSO SEE: Colorful m&m cookie recipes from the ’60s
Editor’s note: Now, in the 21st century, you can make your own custom m&ms in dozens of colors, and even get them printed with a photo or message. Find out more here!
Hot Wheels cars toys (1970)
MORE FUN FOR KIDS: What were the most popular toys in the early ’80s? See toys, games & fun for kids in the 1981 Sears Catalog Wishbook
Hot Wheels never go out of Christmas stocking style!
![Hot Wheels Muscle Mania 10 Pack Mini Collection, 1:64 Scale Muscle Cars with Authentic Sculpt, Iconic Casting & Custom Stripe for Collectors & Kids Aged 3 & Up [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b-MCXOliL._SL500_.jpg "Old-fashioned Christmas stocking stuffers: 30+ thrilling little things Santa might have left in your childhood stocking 17")
Travel Yahtzee game (1990s)
SEE MORE GAMES: Popular vintage board games from the ’60s
Cute baby dolls
SEE MORE: 15 vintage Fisher-Price dolls from the 1970s & 1980s
Nintendo mini-games (1989)
Ty Beanie Babies (1990s)
ALSO SEE: 40 cute vintage plush toys & stuffed animals from the ’80s
Vintage Rubik’s Cube (1992)
SEE MORE: How the Rubik’s Cube puzzle toy became a worldwide sensation
A keychain cube is perfect version for a Christmas stocking stuffer
101 Dalmations Giga Pet toy keychain (1997)
DON’T MISS: Bad vintage Christmas ads: 20 retro holiday sales pitches that you’d never see today
CHEAP TOYS YOU ALMOST FORGOT EVER EXISTED
Vintage Flip-It toys
Toys from the 70s – Groovy Grabber top
There were tons of little toys like this — inexpensive doodads that were fun for awhile, but before long, were relegated to the bottom corner of the toybox.
ALSO SEE: How many of these vintage Saturday morning cartoons & TV shows can you remember?
CANDY & FOOD CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFERS
Who didn’t love candy in the Christmas stockings?
MORE: 80s candy: 30 most excellent retro favorites
Vintage Life Savers Sweet Story Books (1973)
If you want to give something nice, but not expensive, give Life Savers Sweet Story Book, It’s a 10-roll assortment of Super Flavor Life Savers fitted into a bright gift book. All for less than $1.00.
Kids love it, grown-ups love it, everybody loves Sweet Story Book. And it’s worth a lot more than you’ll pay. (Especially when you take this coupon to your store!)
Granola bar stocking stuffers (1985)
Presumably, if these didn’t show up in your lunchbox every week, this would be a fun gift.
REMEMBER? Kudos granola bars: What happened to these popular kids’ snacks from the ’80s & ’90s?
Vintage 1970s McDonald’s gift certificates
MORE: Vintage McDonald’s: See 5 decades of the famous fast food chain’s retro restaurants, menus & history
CRAFTY & CREATIVE GIFTS, LIKE…
Makit & Bakit “stained glass” kit
We always think of these easy-to-use kits for kids (which are still available today!) as the cousins of Shrinky Dinks — both of which relied on putting plastic in the oven to create something pretty.
Lisa Frank crafts, stickers, stencils & more (1993)
CHRISTMAS STOCKING STUFFERS FOR THE COLLECTORS
Vintage stamp collecting for Christmas (1981)
Most presents don’t last too long. They break. They need new batteries. They get boring. But when you give a Stamp Collecting Kit, you’re giving a gift that will last a lifetime.
Each kit will fascinate your children and teach them something at the same time. Each can show them people and places they may never get to see on their own.
After they’ve enjoyed these inexpensive kits, give them the Commemorative Mint Set. Or the Definitive Mint Set. Or the stamp collecting encyclopedia, Stamps & Stories. So come to the Post Office. And discover stamp collecting. Because kids open their minds when they open these presents. U.S. Postal Service.
Collector’s Choice baseball cards from 1994
Holly Hobbie collectible dolls and branded everything
From Smurfs to Strawberry Shortcake, there were huge (and hugely profitable) merchandise lines for most of the popular cartoons and characters. Who remembers vintage Holly Hobbie dolls, toys, clothes, decor & more from the ’70s & ’80s?
Christmas stocking stickers!
There were so, so many great stickers back in the 1980s and 1990s — ranging from the classic packaged sticker sheets to the decals on a roll that you could buy one by one to old-school scratch & sniff versions.
Soaky bath characters
Not exactly toys, not quite coveted collectibles, these Soaky characters were basically bubble bath that came in fancy plastic bottles.
Wacky Packs/Wacky Packages
SEE LOTS MORE: Vintage Wacky Packages: 50 Wacky Packs cards for candy, cereal and more (1970s)
GIRLY STUFF LIKE
Vintage Tinkerbell BO-PO Brush-on, peel-off nail polish (1982)
MORE: Vintage Tinkerbell manicure sets, BO-PO nail polish, & other retro beauty goodies for little girls
Neon plastic bracelets
Love’s Baby Soft 1980s perfume
But there was a dark side… Love’s Baby Soft: Because innocence is sexier than you think? Eww. (’70s & ’80s)
Lip Smackers
MEMORY LANE: Remember Lip Smackers from Bonne Bell? The super trendy vintage lip balm from the 70s & 80s
Random products your mom got for cheap
She got a great deal on an assortment of household goods… and that’s how you ended up with a single pudding cup, some hot cocoa mix, a couple Slim Jims, Blistex, and a box of popcorn.
Gifts with purchase, too
Speaking of stuff your mom got for cheap, these vintage Dove Soap packages came with free flashlights back in 1960.
SEE MORE LIKE THIS: See 30+ vintage freebies & mail-in offers for branded stuff you used to be able to get
BORING BUT FUNCTIONAL CHRISTMAS STOCKING GIFTS LIKE
Socks — the long and the short of them.
SEE MORE: These retro 1980s socks, knee-highs & other sassy sock styles went beyond black & white
Free yearly datebooks/calendars from your local Hallmark store
MORE: Remember these vintage Hallmark notecards & stationery sets from the ’60s & ’70s?
And the thing we always needed: Batteries
We still always need batteries — except they’re usually AA or AAA instead of C or D!
NOW SEE THIS: 100 vintage Christmas scenes so sweet and old-fashioned, you’ll wish you had a time machine
