27 Stocking Stuffer Ideas We Can't Get Enough Of

Here’s one for the beauty lovers. When running to the salon for a quick manicure isn’t an option, the next best thing might just be quick-dry nail polish. For CR writer Jessica Waller, it’s this version from Olive & June, which has become a go-to. “The formula glides on effortlessly and dries in a mere fraction of the time as other nonspeedy polishes,” she says, “which means I can get back to typing, cooking, and gardening without missing a beat.” As an avid user of this very polish, I agree. 

CR’s Daniel Wroclawski—who has reported extensively on topics such as the best coffee makers and how to make a great latte at home—prefers straws for his iced coffee, so he opted for this set of stainless steel reusable ones that are dishwasher-safe. “They work well, are easy to clean, and don’t make me feel bad about using straws and contributing to plastic pollution,” he says.

In leading our recent evaluations of the best mousses for curly hair, senior writer Jodhaira Rodriguez became a convert to this version from Pattern Beauty. “It gives me bouncy, moisturized, frizz-free curls every time I style my hair with it,” she says. All of our testers, who had varied hair lengths and textures, liked this mousse and thought it had a pleasant herbal scent.

It’s hard to believe that this mouse-sized sharpener, our budget pick, would be able to put an edge on a knife, but it does. The KitchenIQ is a simple little sharpener with two slots. The coarse one is for damaged or seriously dull knives, while the fine one is for knives that have just lost their edge. The angles are set for European-style knives—KitchenIQ doesn’t specify the exact angle—but Hope still found that both of his knives emerged with sharp edges that allowed them to slice through onions and tomatoes effortlessly.

For more options: Best Knife Sharpeners for Chef’s Knives

This is more than just your run-of-the-mill tea. Made with seaweed (don’t worry, the flavor is subtle), it has a blend of ginger and turmeric. Brew a cup and spoon in a bit of honey for a sweet nighttime treat.

Silk! For $10! It’s real and so cozy, CR’s Angela Lashbrook, a CR senior multimedia content creator, says about this sleeping mask. It blocked all light without pressing down uncomfortably against her nose and making her feel suffocated, which she says can be a problem because of her small face. CR’s team tried the single-strap version, which kept the mask in place for most of them throughout the night. It felt luxurious despite the price.

A beautifully designed tea towel is always a welcome gift, and this graphic cotton version from Julie Peach is no exception. It features a hand-dyed pattern and will no doubt be a crowd-pleaser.

This social media-famous overnight lip mask is available in five flavors—including vanilla and grapefruit—and is meant to combat dryness. CR senior editor Tanya Christian finds it particularly helpful in the colder months, when the air is naturally drier, as well as in the springtime, when allergies flare, causing her to breathe through her mouth. “The antioxidant-infused balm made with coconut oil and shea butter helps combat the negative effects of both,” she says.

Being an efficient packer is a valuable quality for a camper, and this stuff sack is one way to keep your gear organized. Use it to store a sleeping bag, clothing, and other puffy layers in a neat and compact bundle. Made with water-resistant material, this durable sack is available in a variety of sizes for adventures big and small.

It has a pop-up cardholder design, and we found that the Vulkit VC-104 slim wallet has another big advantage going for it: price. At around $20, you could consider this a low-risk set of training wheels for a minimalist wallet to see whether you like the change. Vulkit also offers a wide range of colors for the VC-104, including two-tone versions.

During our evaluation earlier this year, we tried many hair towels, and the Turbie Twist was among our top performers. Users thought it dried hair a lot, but not so much that it caused frizziness. The handy elastic loop helps hold the towel in place. The towel comes in a set of two, so you’re more likely to have one ready when you need it.

The secret to a great dirty martini lies in the brine. Cue this combo from Quincy that’s poised to take your cocktail to the next level. Featuring a delectable combination of gourmet olives and a brine that can go straight into the shaker, all you need to do is add the spirit of your choice and you’re set.

Hay can do no wrong in my book, and these color-blocked candles are no exception. Featuring a motif that pays homage to the brand’s Danish roots, these artful accent pieces are perfect when you’re entertaining during the holidays. Choose among three different color palettes—or grab them all to mix and match.

Go ahead and play in the sand—this sand-repellent towel has you covered. Made from fast-drying Turkish cotton, this lightweight towel is easy to pack, comes in its own carrying case, and isn’t as prone to damp smells as traditional towels. 

This small plug-and-play sound machine from Magicteam is sized just right, like a deck of cards if cards were square. It delivers good sound quality and variety, packing in 20 sounds, including those from nature sounds and even the sound of a freight train. The controls, just five buttons, are intuitive to use, although one evaluator said they were quite small and a bit difficult to see in low light. And it has a timer in case you don’t want it playing all night.

The first time I tried Rancho Meladuco dates, I was floored by their quality. They were tender and indulgently rich, unlike the harder, saccharine versions I typically find at the grocery store. They’re from a farm in California’s Coachella Valley (yes, the one and the same), handpicked, sun-ripened, and pretty sublime. 

Do you have a budding bartender on your gift list? In CR’s recent evaluation, we found the True Wooden Finish Cocktail Shaker to be a well-priced shaker that’s best for beginners, with a built-in sieve for easy cocktail-making. But if you’re shopping for a hard-core mixologist in your life, it’s worth noting that this wasn’t the most durable of the bunch we tried.

For more options: Best Cocktail Shakers

A little sweet treat will always be appreciated, and BonBon’s Swedish candies are just the thing. The trio of sweet and sour gummies features flavors such as elderflower, peach, and wild strawberry—you won’t want to skip out on this one.

Alison Roman’s easy-to-follow recipes produce delicious results that are bound to spice up your weekly meal rotations. Her latest cookbook explores simple, timeless recipes that rely on pantry staples. Try your hand at the classics like matzo ball soup and chicken pot pie, or take things to the next level with roasted squash with browned-butter dates.

Printworks’ take on the classic tumbling tower game—better known as Jenga—comes in the form of this vibrant set, also available in a bold red colorway. Here’s one game you can easily leave out on the table or a bookshelf.

Lego’s botanical collection is something out of a dream. Potted orchids and holiday centerpieces are just a few of the creative kits you’ll find, but we’re partial to this wildflower set, which is equal parts whimsical and artful. Once it’s complete, go ahead and display it in a vase. Why not?

Cold brew can take a long time to make, but Oxo says its Rapid Brewer will make a concentrate in 5 minutes. It requires no electricity or batteries and isn’t much more complicated than a French press. Our evaluator found that her cold brew from the small but mighty device was rich, flavorful, and fast.

The Papillon Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager Pillow checks a lot of the boxes for being the perfect massager. It’s effective and lightweight. In fact, it’s the lightest of all the electric massagers we tried, according to our measurements. It’s also fairly inexpensive. You can use it on different body parts, such as your back, neck, shoulders, legs, and feet. It also offers a good amount of heat.

For many people, Henckels Eversharp knives will likely hit the sweet spot. They’re less expensive and attractive, slender but sturdy, and razor-sharp, yet the edges are still gentle enough not to rip up a delicate cut. These lightweight knives are similar in size to traditional butter or table knives. The blades are scalloped and micro-serrated, resulting in an edge that’s gentle and sharp. They also have a full-tang design, meaning the blade extends from the tip to the bottom of the handle, resulting in a knife that feels sturdy, albeit more prone to flexing under force than some other options. The handles, which are plastic, have a slim profile that should fit easily in the hands of most adults.

The Panergy bladeless neck fan is the same delightful shade of pink as its handheld fan (it also comes in white and black). Our tester found that it does its basic function just fine, with the perk of being very flexible. Its pliable silicone back allows it to be nearly as wide or as narrow as desired.