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Okay, you’ve got all of your major holiday shopping out of the way. Now it’s time to find the best stocking stuffers. Stockings are a Christmas tradition that requires a special set of rules distinct from the gifts that end up under the tree. The gifts contained in them must be small, unexpected in an exciting way, and have an appeal universal enough that you don’t have to go out of your way to personalize them for your family members or loved ones.
We may be biased, but some of the best stocking stuffer ideas are either food themed or related to the kitchen. Why? Well, everybody eats food, there’s a plethora of small kitchen-related items people might need or want, and candy and treats are a timeless must-have in the stocking. Just make sure nothing gets too melty over the fireplace…
We’ve put in some thought into a kitchen inspired stocking stuffer gift guide to add an extra bit of flair to your holiday season. Find our picks below.
Hot stuff
When it’s cold outside, turn the heat up in your kitchen. These are a few of Team Epi’s favorite spicy condiments; despite their varied flavor profiles and ingredient lists, they’re all incredible drizzled over stir-fries, breakfast tacos, and grain bowls. They also make great small gifts to toss into a Christmas stocking.
Tiny tools
These handheld tools and miniature gadgets may be small, but they’re powerhouses in the kitchen and built to take a beating. Slide a mini silicone spatula set or our favorite fish spatula into a few stockings to ensure your whole family is getting the dregs out of every jar they open, and tie a specialized grater to the tops of a few presents for unparalleled ginger access. Add a lighter that your loved one will use forever and ever, or maybe a versatile pocket knife they can use for slicing and dicing. You can also throw in some unexpected-but-useful items, like a mushroom cleaning brush. Or go the practical zero-waste route with some reusable straws. Either way, petite kitchen tools make great gifts.
Sweet stuff
An obvious last-minute but still great gift—or add-on to a larger present—are sweets, but you can do better than those too-big-to-actually-eat peppermint sticks. Pick up a fancy chocolate bar in an enticing flavor, a pack of Epi editor approved licorice, or some high-quality classic hot chocolate mix.
Festive stuff
Maybe you believe that the perfect stocking stuffers have to be cheerful as well as functional. If so, this is the section for you. Spread holiday spirit with a set of on-theme cookie cutters or plaid tea towels.
Food candles
Candles are nice, but candles shaped like food are even better. Whether you choose to light them or keep them as a perky little shelf object, these artisan candles are the perfect gift for any culinary enthusiast, and a great stocking stuffer for anybody with a little sense of humor.
Accessories that are also necessities
Stocking stuffers are the perfect opportunity to gift small trinkets or accessories—like wine charms, cute oven mitts, or our favorite coasters—that people might not think of or want to buy for themselves, but that they’ll always use.
Skincare
Maybe your loved one is battling dry skin from blasting their heater—or maybe they’re in desperate need of some extra hand wash on the kitchen counter for holiday guests. Soaps and hydrating lotions are easy self-care items to throw into a stocking—and they're always appreciated, especially when you opt for a more luxurious lotion than they might buy themselves.
Funny and quirky food-themed stuff
Some of the best gifts to put in a stocking are the fun and frivolous items that evade concrete categories. Here, we’ve got a couple of really good ones. A bath bomb for your broth, a food themed tarot deck for appetite divination, card games for after-dinner shenanigans, and a DIY mochi ice cream kit.
