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Oct 21, 2024

The 49 Best Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults for 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter

By Samantha Schoech Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight. We’ve added a whopping 21 new picks to

By Samantha Schoech

Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.

We’ve added a whopping 21 new picks to this list, including a luxe lip balm, golden-ear corn holders, a personalized musical keychain, and many more small treasures perfect for stuffing a stocking.

There’s a timeless, ageless delight that one gets from emptying a stocking on Christmas morning. (In fact, we know a lot of adults who forgo big gifts in favor of stockings only.) And while we’re still fans of the traditional fillings, such as tangerines, chocolate Santas, and gum, we also appreciate more-unusual offerings that have the potential to spark big-time joy (and to last beyond Christmas morning). From the whimsical to the practical, here are the best pint-size gifts to charm any adult on your list.

And if you’re looking for even more great, affordable stocking-stuffer ideas, see our guides to the best gifts under $10 and the best gifts under $25.

Want to fill the kiddos’ stockings? Check out our best stocking stuffer ideas for kids.

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Keep your glasses scratch-free with this puffy, machine-washable case made from 100% recycled materials.

The cute Baggu Puffy Glasses Sleeve comes in a bunch of colors and patterns (including Snoopy!). It accommodates glasses from nose-perching librarian readers to Italian movie-star sunnies, and it has a magnetic closure to keep them from escaping.

Organic cacao beans are stone-ground into bolder, grittier, and more nuanced chocolate than usual. This four-pack contains plain, guajillo chili, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors.

Once you try the Taza Oaxacan Sampler—intense, intriguing, rustic—you may never go back to smooth, ultraprocessed chocolate again.

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This colorful, patterned washi tape is made from strong synthetic acrylic and makes wrapping, journaling, and wall-hanging a lot snazzier.

Packs of Scotch Expressions Washi Tape come with eight rolls of varying widths and designs. Break them up and divide the rolls among the stockings. The adhesive is sticky enough to stay put, with no lifting or residue, and the packs come in lots of colors plus metallics, glitters, and patterns.

These stretchy shoelaces can turn almost any laced shoe into a slip-on. They’re available in six sizes and nine colors, but they may not be easy for everyone to slip on and off.

Turn even the snuggest high-tops into slip-on sneakers with these elasticized laces. The Bread Elastic Laces come in four lengths and five colors.

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This simple, therapeutic bath soak (made with alkaline sodium bicarbonate, mustard seed powder, and astringent botanical oils) is both soothing and invigorating.

Regardless of your stance on Ayurvedic claims, a restorative soak in Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath Salts will be simultaneously soothing and energizing. While your muscles relax in a hot bath of the salt-mustard blend, its eucalyptus, rosemary, and wintergreen aroma will awaken the senses.

These simple, U-shaped hairpins keep even the thinnest, most slippery hair tucked into a bun or twist.

The Kristin Ess Mini French Pins are a classic for a reason: They work. Wirecutter senior engineering manager Polina Grinbaum says, “The style is so simple, but the size, shape, and finish are effortlessly elegant. Even though the pins have no teeth, they hold so well, I have even slept in them!”

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These handmade sachet ornaments—based on the illustrations of creator Emma Mierop—are stuffed with organic cotton and lavender.

Yes, they’re pricey, but Skippy Cotton’s Lavender Scented Tokens are based on original illustrations, have a whimsical fairy-tale quality, and are meant to hang in plain sight rather than get tucked away in a drawer.

The backs of these playing cards feature yosegi, a symmetrical and repeating design from Japanese marquetry.

Yosegi, a type of Japanese marquetry, involves pattern-making from intricate wood veneers. The backs of the Art of Play Yosegi Playing Cards feature an intricate, mosaic-like design, turning gameplay into artful meditation. The custom-designed face cards complement the yosegi look.

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Choose your own note-size adventure with these tear-off rolls of sticky note paper, which come come lined or with a grid pattern.

Everyone loves sticky notes—except when they are either too small for the entire grocery list or too big for making margin notes. Now your loved one can Goldilocks their sticky notes to get them just right. The bright-yellow Yamato Sticky Notes Memoc Roll Tape comes with a refillable tape-like dispenser with tearing teeth. The entire back side of the 2-inch-wide tape is lightly adhesive but easily removable.

These packages contain five 4-inch Peruvian palo santo sticks, which are ideal for scenting a room. They light and extinguish readily and smell transcendent.

Palo santo trees grow in abundance in South America, and people have enjoyed the wood’s perfumed smoke for thousands of years. Simply light one of these sticks, allow a 30-second flame, and blow it out to release the fragrant smoke.

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Pierce the cork with the food-grade metal needle on this lightweight, 5.5-inch bottle opener and give it a few pumps; the pressure dislodges the cork effortlessly.

Simply insert this aluminum-alloy needle into the center of a cork and give it a few pumps, and out pops the cork, just like magic. Staff writer Samantha Schoech was introduced to the Zerodis Needle Type Wine Bottle Opener at a dinner party, where the host showed it off proudly. She has since given one to her husband, who is equally tickled.

You can order this 2-inch stainless steel keychain with a scannable barcode that pulls up a Spotify song or playlist of your choice.

Simply send in the URL of a song or playlist from Spotify, and the Etsy seller ChainsOnly will engrave a code onto a stainless steel Custom Audio Keychain that your giftee can then scan for playback on their phone.

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These striking, semi-sheer lower-calf-length socks—topped by a solid band of contrasting color—shimmer with a low-key iridescent sparkle. But they come only in a single size (for women’s sizes 5 to 8).

Somatchi Sheer Socks are soft and slinky, with a subtle shimmer and a sexy sheerness. These beauties come up to around the lower calf, and they’re made of an itch-free fabric blend that includes polyamide, polyester, and cotton, with a reinforced toe.

These golden corn holders come in the shape of ears. They are pleasantly solid in the hand and are sure to get laughs from punsters everywhere.

Golden ears to hold your golden ears might be the ultimate dad joke, but the funny Be Home Gold Corn Holders Ears have an undeniable elegance, too. Plus, they’re much easier to grip than the usual flimsy plastic cobs.

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This chic and compact device offers the most light settings of all our picks, and its power indicator lets you know when to charge it.

Our favorite reading light has a bendy, swiveling head, and it provides multiple levels of brightness and three colors of light, from blue to amber. The Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light is tiny, lightweight, and designed to plug right into a USB port for charging.

These clever, conversation-worthy mismatched cloisonné studs are hypoallergenic, and they come in a stocking-ready glass tube.

Yellow Owl’s droll, themed-but-mismatched cloisonné earring sets are gilded in 22-karat gold and have hypoallergenic posts. The Dutch-oven-and-kosher-salt pair is perfect for an ardent home cook, but we also love the paste-and-scissors and taco-and-hot-sauce pairs.

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Unwrap this colorful crepe-paper apple to reveal a small gift—temporary tattoos, candy, noisemakers, and other small trinkets—within each layer.

As your giftee unravels the crepe-paper Tops Malibu Deluxe Surprise Ball apple, they are rewarded with a dozen small treasures, from fortune fish to candy to temporary tattoos to gems. The only problem: It’s almost too cute to unwrap.

These scissors offer sharp, pointy blades made with high-carbon steel and an easy-to-hold, squeezable handle.

The teeny steel Deeinn 4.1-inch Sewing Scissors are super sharp and perfect for snipping errant threads and frayed edges. They come in a set of three, so everyone in the family can have their own pair.

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Each flip-style notebook of watercolor paints contains 16 color squares on eight pages, plus a paper palette for mixing.

The Viviva Colorsheets are great for traveling and totally biodegradable, and each notebook-like pack comes with water-repellent sheets between the pages, to prevent the paints from sticking. Simply wet a brush, dab it onto the paint square, and get creative.

This small, lightweight phone attachment creates a shutter and makes your phone feel and operate like an actual point-and-shoot camera.

Attach the Retro Point & Shoot Camera Phone Converter to your smartphone to change it into a throwback-style point-and-shoot complete with a mechanical shutter button and a comfy, chunky grip.

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Don’t let these three sparkly scrubbing sponges fool you. They may be great-looking, but they’re also effective at tackling for dish jobs big and small.

Okay, so cleaning supplies may not be high on most Christmas lists, but the sparkly Lurex Sponges—disco sponges, really—get the job done and brighten up necessary chores.

When folded, this origami-like phone mount fits into a wallet’s credit card slot.

The Geometrical Pocket Tripod Pro is a cell phone mount that, when folded, fits into a wallet’s credit card slot. When your shutterbug is ready to take a photo that needs a little extra stability, they simply twist it horizontally and flip up the sides, and it’s ready to go.

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For people who favor a thick, glazed look and feel, this creamy, squeeze-tube formula provides a lot of moisture and shine.

At first squeeze, Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment feels and looks like lip gloss rather than balm—shiny, pillowy, and viscous. But then it absorbs, leaving lips gleaming, supple, and maybe just a tad tacky.

This flat, pocket-friendly hand sanitizer comes in sophisticated scents like vetiver, eucalyptus, and bergamot. And it’s refillable.

The lovely-smelling Noshinku Hand Sanitizer is an FDA-compliant germ-killer that also contains jojoba, rosehip, argan oil, and aloe to keep skin from drying out. Each canister is refillable and small enough to slip into a back pocket or purse.

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This teensy cross-stitch kit comes with everything you need to create a cute smiling hot dog, and it’s all packaged in a matchbox.

The diminutive Marvling Bros Kawaii Cross Stitch Kit in a Matchbox is cleverly packed with embroidery threads, a tapestry needle, a small piece of aida cloth, and instructions. Your loved one will end up with a teeny smiling hot dog (or mushroom, rainbow, or taco) on a 6.5-centimeter backing.

This zester has sharp teeth and a narrower face, so you can reach every nook and cranny on a lemon or a cheese rind.

Finishing touches—lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of nutmeg—often call for a zester for easy, fine grating. The Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester is our pick because it has super-sharp teeth and is easy to maneuver (no complicated handles or turning parts).

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This inexpensive silicone face scrubber offers a quick, comfortable way to clean your face, with no washing, wringing, or batteries required.

The Vwmyq Silicone Face Scrubber has dozens of tiny “fingers” that not only feel great but also find their way into creases and crevices for a thorough clean. It also ages like well-cared-for skin: Senior staff writer Brent Butterworth writes, “I’ve been placing the scrubber fingers-down on the shower caddy for 20 months now, and it’s still free of soap scum and mildew.”

This tinned-fish candle peels open like the real thing. When lit, it smells like a bracing ocean breeze.

The exquisite packaging of The Original Tinned Fish Candle, from Etsy seller dashaflowerhead, is a big part of its charm. It looks like a chichi tin of European sardines, but it’s actually a cute little fish candle that smells like salt, olive oil, and a fresh breeze (with zero fishy notes).

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These maraschino cherries have been made in Italy for over 100 years, and they seriously elevate any cocktail game.

Luxardo’s Original Maraschino Cherries are soaked in Luxardo marasca cherry syrup, and through a process of pasteurization, time, and something akin to magic, these deep red, flavorful, beautifully textured beauties are born.

This dense, mineral-infused soap contains salt crystals for exfoliation, and it emits a pleasant marine scent.

Shaped like a little white puck, Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap is infused with sloughing salt crystals that leave skin both clean and soft. This cult-favorite soap (which, despite its name, is made in the US) has a subtle, fresh scent, and because it’s dense with minerals, it lasts a lot longer than most bar soaps.

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This brightly colored silicone case displays the luggage owner’s name, but it keeps other personal information out of sight.

The Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag is our top pick for the best luggage tag overall. It displays the luggage owner’s name but keeps other personal information concealed, and the bright orange color helps to resolve luggage-carousel confusion.

Along with notes of guava and grapefruit, the addition of hibiscus makes this margarita distinctly fruity. Slightly sweet, tart, and earthy, it’s made to drink straight from the can.

Even though Five Drinks Co. Margarita has a fruity hibiscus flavor, it doesn’t deviate too much from the traditional flavor profile of a margarita. That’s confirmed in its straightforward ingredients list: tequila, triple sec, lime juice, hibiscus, and habanero agave nectar. They come in four-packs, so feel free to break them up and toss one in each adult stocking. If your loved one prefers a Moscow mule, Five Drinks Co. also makes our pick for that cocktail.

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Flat bags packed with tiny building blocks keep bored hands and minds occupied without digital crutches. The resulting model is about the size of a fist.

Nanoblock sets—including the Sulphur-Fishbowl Cat—are great for busying fingers and minds without digital interference. Each set consists of about 150 pieces and has a difficulty level of two on a scale of one to five. The sets come with detailed directions, and the resulting models are between 2 and 5 inches tall.

Washable, compostable, and quick-drying, each colorful reusable cloth takes the place of about 17 rolls of paper towels.

Made from wood cellulose and cotton, these Reusable Swedish Dishcloths arrive crispy as rice crackers. But once you wet them, they transform into light, spongy dishcloths that can absorb 20 times their weight in water. You can rinse them, wring them out, and reuse them like a sponge, and they’re available in 45 cheerful prints.

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This cheerful hanging robin, which is made from 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks, takes about 15 seconds to assemble.

Studio Roof uses 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks to make 3D paper designs of various birds, animals, and even boats and planes. The resulting sculptures are bright, beautiful creations that arrive flat and ready to assemble (as easy as fitting marked slots together).

This surprisingly handy telescoping back scratcher extends to about 20 inches to target all of those hard-to-reach itches.

Impossible itches are no match for the Kikkerland Extendable Back Scratcher and its telescoping handle. Closed, this scratcher measures only about 3 inches, but it extends to nearly 20.

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These translucent hydrocolloid stickers aid pimple healing by absorbing fluid and protecting the blemish from bacteria.

Rather than hiding—and prolonging—an errant pimple under loads of concealer, your giftee can heal it with the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch. The tiny hydrocolloid (a polymer compound that’s used in wound healing) rounds deflate unsightly whiteheads and help prevent below-the-surface pimples from erupting.

These clippers are razor-sharp, feel sturdy in the hand, and look sleek and strong.

Yes, the person whose stocking you’re stuffing already has nail clippers. But do they have the best nail clippers? Wirecutter has tested 10 pairs over five years, and we even interviewed a podiatrist, so we’re confident in recommending the Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clippers.

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Though this stainless steel loupe is only 2.5 inches wide, its glass lens offers 10x magnification—just enough to get detailed, but not so much as to render specimens unrecognizable.

Curious loved ones will enjoy using a loupe magnifier, an ideal tool for inspecting all manner of flora and fauna. This model offers 10x magnification, which is plenty; any more, and your own heartbeat shakes the lens too much for you to really see anything. The metal housing stands up to drops and dings, and the glass lens offers a clearer picture than plastic versions.

Peek into the digital bargain bin of this fancy confectioner.

Sugarfina, a Los Angeles–based candy company, makes the prettiest, tastiest gummies, including adult-friendly Rosé All Day Gummy Bears. Unfortunately, though, the price can be prohibitive. Luckily, Sugarfina regularly offers discounted “party packs,” so you can scoop up a bunch.

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This rearview-mirror air freshener actually smells great. Each sophisticated, scent-infused cardboard rectangle lasts for at least a few months.

Itty-bitty but potent, D.S. & Durga’s Big Sur After Rain Auto Fragrance is nothing like the noxious, tree-shaped papers of yesteryear. Instead, this perfume company has infused each one with a sophisticated, subtle fragrance and a pretty line drawing to match. Other novel scents include Portable Fireplace and Holy Ficus.

These delicate French sardines, a favorite of Wirecutter staffers on the kitchen team, are flash-fried and then preserved in only olive oil and salt.

The petite Les Mouettes d’Arvor Sardines are sustainably fished from the southern coast of Brittany, France, cured in salt water, cleaned, and then flash-fried before canning. Inside each tin you’ll find firm, perfectly preserved sardines swimming in little pools of olive oil.

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This spiky plastic sphere is perfect for rolling under sore arches or loosening knots in other muscles.

Sure, a tennis ball can do a similar job, but the Qi Mei Massage Ball has less give, and it delivers more intense pressure distribution when rolled under an arch or back. The little spikes target even gnarlier, tricky-to-pinpoint knots.

This titanium-coated stainless steel gadget attaches to a keychain, and it includes a bottle opener and five other handy tools.

The Gerber Shard keychain tool is the perfect practical stocking stuffer. The light, titanium-coated stainless steel tool includes a pry bar, a wire stripper, two flathead screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a Phillips-head screwdriver.

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This take-along sunscreen stick is easy to use. It’s completely clear, and it leaves a slight shine yet no hint of stickiness.

It might be getting cold outside, but UV rays don’t disappear with the chill: Your loved ones still need to wear sunscreen. The travel-size Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50 is a perfect stocking stuffer. It rolls on easily and doesn’t leave slimy residue behind, so even the most reluctant sunscreen wearer won’t mind it.

These spoke clips—made with reflective 3M Scotchlite material for a safer ride—snap on easily.

Spoke reflectors can make nighttime bike rides a lot safer. Salzmann’s Spoke Reflectors—made with reflective 3M Scotchlite for better visibility—snap on easily and come recommended by avid biker and senior staff writer Tim Heffernan.

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This notebook combines great paper quality, durability, and a range of page and cover choices.

A pick in our guide to the best notebooks and notepads since 2018, the Field Notes Memo Book is beloved for its compact size and paper quality. Each 48-page memo book fits in a pocket without feeling too cumbersome, and its pages are virtually smudge-proof.

This reusable bag comes in dozens of cute patterns and colors. It can fold into a compact pouch for easy storage, and it holds up to 50 pounds without being difficult to carry.

One of our favorite bags for toting anything, the Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag comes in dozens of prints and patterns to elevate the schlepping experience. This bag can withstand up to 50 pounds (though we wouldn’t recommend that anyone torture their shoulders that way). It also folds neatly for safekeeping in a backpack or a glove compartment.

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These rich, box-shaped pops are a Bay Area classic made with real butter and cream.

Anyone who grew up anywhere near San Francisco likely already has a favorite flavor of these box-shaped lollipops made with cream and butter. If your giftee is new to the suckers from the 103-year-old See’s Candies, you can bestow the pleasure of choice: vanilla, coffee, chocolate, or butterscotch. Buy See’s Candies Assorted Lollypops by the box to ensure lots of leftovers.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

Dorie Chevlen contributed reporting.This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.

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Samantha Schoech

Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.

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