For my son’s first Christmas I made him a bright red, faux fur Christmas stocking that measures a metre high. Of course, several years later his sister came along and she had to have one the same size. They absolutely love them and even though she’s now 8 and he’s now 12 they still hop in them every year and we take a photo before hanging them near the tree.

I love the challenge of coming up with creative ways to fill them every year. I usually start accumulating bits and pieces around October so it doesn’t get too pricey all at once. I thought I’d share a few ideas for those of you struggling to fill enormous Christmas stockings and Santa sacks this year.

A little flower pot and a packet or two of seeds

I’m all for the gifts that take up a bit of room and won’t end up broken or in the bin before the day’s out. Planting the seeds gives you a fun project to do together once all of the Christmas madness has died down.

Multi-packs of cereal

It may seem a dull but my kids have come to expect their little packets of cereal each year. There are six in a pack and it gives you a chance to let them enjoy the sweeter cereals you might not normally buy, they take up plenty of room and kids love lining them up and deciding what they will eat each morning.

Some practical stuff

Do they needs bathers? A new beach towel? Underwear? A new lunch box? Sandals? Slippers? A sun hat? Put them in the stocking too. (Isn’t it nice that Santa is on our side?)

Magic tricks and practical jokes

These are great fun as the kids slowly bring them out throughout the day. A fly in an ice block, a whoopee cushion or a fake severed thumb bring plenty of laughs to our Christmas lunch.

Something yummy

I like to pop a few yummy treats in there and pretend to be horrified that Santa would do such a thing. The lolly Christmas stockings have treats they can bring out each day after Christmas and, again, they take up room!

A book or two

I like to give them a few little Mr Men, Golden Books or Dr Seuss to add to their collection and a big picture book they can pour over once all of the excitement has died down. Any of the books by Graeme Base keep them quiet for hours – or minutes, at least!

Of course, there are plenty of stocking filler ideas from Stuck On You too…

What’s that? Your kids don’t have a Christmas stocking yet? Well, not only do we have plenty of things to go into your Christmas stocking, Stuck On You have bright, bold monogrammed and personalised Christmas stockings too!