14 Stocking Stuffer Ideas We Can't Get Enough Of

This thick, sweet-scented mask was the only one that stayed on our evaluator’s lips for the entire duration of a night. It’s easy to apply and leaves lips softer by morning. Because it’s thick and somewhat sticky, it’s not as comfortable to wear during the day—though if you’re in the middle of a windy, frigid winter, a heavyweight mask like this might be worth the marginal stickiness. As clearly indicated by its name, this lip mask contains lanolin, an emollient and occlusive extracted from sheep’s wool. Some people are allergic to lanolin, in which case this product would likely irritate rather than moisturize. 

For more options: Best Lip Masks

A little lemony, a little creamy, a little sweet, but not offensive or overwhelming in any way, this body lotion from Ursa Major won our evaluators over with its scent. It’s a lighter lotion and spreads easily and is prime for an everyday moisturizer. That said, it probably isn’t rich enough for extremely dry skin. The lotion comes in a lovely metal bottle, encased in an attractive box, which makes it perfect for slipping into a stocking.

For more options: Best Body Lotions

One of the best aspects of this moisturizer, aside from its luxurious feel and ability to hydrate skin, is the jar. The refillable container features a lid you press to dispense the moisturizer, so you don’t have to dip your fingers into the jar and risk introducing germs into your skin care routine. Research has shown that airless pump jars are more protective against contamination than open-top bottles or jars. Plus, the product comes out of the jar in a cute flower shape.

For more options: Best Face Moisturizers

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 non-speedy 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. 

We tried many hair towels to find the best for drying different hair types, 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.

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.

The next best thing to having a stack of great reads on your nightstand is having them compiled into one very portable device. Senior Deals Editor Samantha Gordon is an avid fan of Amazon’s Kindle, which has made reading on the go easier and lighter. She recommends this model, the retailer’s lightest version yet, which features faster page turns and a higher contrast ratio.

Who doesn’t love hunkering down with a good puzzle on a cold winter’s day? Senior writer Jodhaira Rodriguez recommends this version from New York Puzzle Company. “I received this puzzle for the holidays last year, and it is wonderful,” she says. “[It’s] one of the more difficult puzzles I’ve worked on ever, but it’s beautiful, the pieces are so uniquely shaped, and it is HUGE.”

For the Lego-lover who’s ready to take things to the next level, this botanically-themed set is sure to please. Once complete, display your work and relish the funky, woodland-inspired scene.

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 $15-$25, 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.

Give the gift of a warmer brew, courtesy of this stackable mug from Yeti. CR’s Anna Silva, associate director of experience optimization, loves this version for its ability to keep a midday tea hot for hours—you can thank its ceramic lining for that.

The most delightful aspect of these spoon rests from Material is that they can function as so much more. Use them as intended or as a pinch bowl for salt, a tray for trinkets, or a serving dish for garnishes. The best part? They’ll look beautiful whatever you decide to do with them.

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.

Candle warmers offer an alternative to traditional wick-burning candles to fill your space with fragrance. Some even say that these accessories make using candles safer while delivering the same results for longer. With this device, it didn’t even take 30 minutes for the scent to fill the air, and it was strong through the open kitchen and living space, and at the entryway of our evaluator’s apartment. It even cut through food smells. The lamp height is adjustable and has four brightness levels on the dimmer, and the timer shuts off after 2, 4, or 8 hours. You can also change the light color to create different moods in your space.

For more options: Best Candle Warmers