What are some good ideas for stocking stuffers and Christmas decorations?

Question

This is the first Christmas my husband and I are having together and I haven't decorated for Christmas for as long as I can remember. My family never really decorated after my parents got divorced and I never helped before then because I was too young.

My husband and I are decorating this year though, and other than the tree and lights, I really can't think of any other good ideas. I know he will have a few, but I want as many ideas as I can get.

Also what are some good ideas for things to put in stockings, because I want to do that this year too and I've never had one before. It's just me and my husband and our cat. No children.

Any ideas you have would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

Depends on your budget...

We're having our first family Christmas since my father died (August), so we're thinking about having Christmas at my house instead of my mother's.

For us, the real memories come with the traditions and the handmade things...I've embroidered stockings for everyone in the family, my mother made the tree skirts we use...we still put up the little silver aluminum tree my grandmother bought for $1.98 in the early 1960's...and every "after Christmas" we go to the Hallmark store and buy 1 ornament for each of the kids (I usually get one or two for myself).

The best part is for you and hubby and kitty to go shopping together (try a pet store that allows pets to come in!). Think outside the box - how about one of those cool cat climbing/nesting things that are tall - you could hide kitty treats in it and new kitty toys...and decorate the climber with garland and unbreakable Christmas balls (kitty will love playing with them!).

Whatever you want in your stockings - you could be risque and go to an adult store and get all sorts of interesting things...or you could hint to hubby that you want lots of sparkly things, like earrings and so forth, in yours....cologne, aftershave, soaps...or be a kid, and buy silly stuff, like a slinky, silly putty, yoyos, whoopie cushions, wind up toys or race cars, kalidescopes, tops, jacks....gift certificates to a day spa....cheesy little pocket books that they display on the checkout counter of the bookstores at Christmastime...candy, fruit, nuts....mice (for the kitty)...basically, anything you run across that will fit in the stocking!

Other decorations than tree and lights....

Well, one year, my aunt did a tree for each room in her house, with a different theme...another year she did the whole house in teddy bears...

there's the requisite wreath for the front door (back door optional), a seasons greetings welcome mat, some jingle bells for the doorknobs....

Outdoor decorations - just go to WalMart and look! Animated reindeer, spiral light trees, nativity scenes, giant blow up snow globes and santas and grinches and snowmen

indoors, fix the guest bath up with seasonal towels, soap and lotion dispensers, tissue boxes, and Christmas scented air fresheners or candles

for the formal dining table - mix crystal and silver pieces with fresh cut or silk greenery and use lots of candles and throw in some pretty ribbons and bows

Get a copy of Martha Stewart Living for December for some great ideas...even previous year's issues....or go online to marthastewart.com

Try some of the other home decorating and women's magazines as well, like Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Real Simple, Architectural Digest

Another great place to shop for Christmas items - your local pool and patio store - for Christmas, they usually restock the entire shop in indoor and outdoor decorations!

And don't forget the Advent Calendar!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and I hope you have many, many more!!

Answer 2

First, congratulations. Second, I think it's wonderful that you want to start some traditions. As a young woman from a large family, here are some things we did growing up.

Of course, the Christmas tree w/ lights
Ornaments -- I would suggest trying to find some older ornaments at flea markets or discount stores or on eBay.
Christmas wreaths
A lighted Christmas village
We used to drape garland over every door and around the bannister
Christmas tableware, including a holiday tablecloth and/or runner
Christmas snow globes
A nativity scene

Really, anything that is winter or Christmas-themed would be great.

When I was young, we'd have a million decorations (literally) and it who be a kind of hodge podge theme. When I got a little older, she'd have a sort of theme for each room...red & green, silver and blue.

As for the stocking, my parents always did practical stocking stuffers...
for the guys...shaving cream, razors, aftershave, etc.
for your husband, maybe his favorite cologne

My Mom used to buy my Dad a few lottery tickets and scratch-offs.

Also, candy is great, too.

Oh, and don't forget some things for the cat...cat toys, cat treats, etc.

I hope you and you husband have a beautiful Christmas!

Answer 3

Since this is your first christmas together I would suggest starting a tradition of buying either one special ornament or each of you buying one for the other person. Over the years your ornament collection will grow and you will have many memories on the tree for each ornament should have a meaning to you. You could be an avid reader and hubby buy you an ornament with books on it or an ornament representing a favorite trip, restaurant, etc. Doesn't matter what it is just make it special.

For stocking stuffers small cologne bottles, cd's, handmade coupon book for backrubs etc, almost any small thing that would interest your hubby.

Kitties love kitty toys and they dont complain about the color...hehe

For our grandchildren we purchased them each a small 4 foot tree and every year they get a few special ornaments from us and close family members. I make sure the ornaments have the year and who they got them from attached so they will always know that info and as they get older they will appreciate it more.

Answer 4

Keeping to the basicA Wreath on the door(front) large and smaller wreaths on the front windows-you make or can buy and the prettiet ones at Nurseries and Garden Centers with a sprig of Fir or Pine Greenery on the mailbox with a large bow raditional red or any Christmas Cor-Gold,Blue,Siler and so on.If any posts like front porch or pillars can also put Christmas color ribbon or bows and greenery--Check out the Magazines available now stores esp by the Checkouit Counters but the rally nice ones but around 10.dollars can be found Lowes Home Depot and craft Stores such as Michael's they are full of decorating ideas for Christmas. Can also string lights front and sides of roof-either different color or one stinking color-like gold ,red,blueetc.Its also popular to put deer where the form is lights can be bought Wal-Mart,K-Mart,Home Depot,Lowes and so on as can other lighted figures esp Santa or Snowman all depends on budget or how much. you want to do. Its also pretty to just have electric lighted candles in all the windows that can be seen fom the street in front of the house. There are web sites-just do a search for Christmas Decorations that show examples. Have a Blessed Christmas. (Difficult to find in regular stores Religious themed but check out religious stores and craft stores if you wish to show the real meaning of Christmas)

Answer 5

We go all out for Christmas in our family. Now it's just me and my husband but our children and their families come to our house for the holidays. I use garland and drape it in a sort of loop style from the ceiling to the the top of the windows as a boarder all around the living room I hope you can get gist of what I am trying to describe here. It's hard to describe without a picture. I also use garland and make a Christmas tree on our front door with it. Easily done with tape and staples or those peel off hooks are great. I boarder the entire living room ceiling with Christmas lights too. And lights on the entire front of the house out side. We have a light up Santa and Sleigh that stands about 3 ft. tall in the front yard. This year we will be adding light up Christmas packages. As for neat gifts for stocking stuffers... for your husband you can put all your small gifts in his stocking, like cuff links and tie clip, A pen and pencil set for work, gift certificate to Home Depot or his favorite sports shop, then top it off with candy, nuts and fruit. I hope this has been enough to get your imagination going. Have fun and Merry Christmas!

Answer 6

you could set some decorations in a glass bowl on the table, use some candles, you could set out some ceramics christmas items.
better yet go to a craft show and get some ideas.
stockings, i like to put small gifts ,example-----watch, candy,lottery tickets, and something really silly , like you would have wanted when you were a kid, a hand held game ,a small toy.
one year my husband gave me a slinky . get the idea. have fun with the stocking.

Answer 7

Wreath on the doors, candles in the windows. Christmas centerpiece on the table. Decorate the mantle if you have a fireplace or book shelves/cases if you don't. You can have a small theme tree in each room as well as the one big one. Poinsettias. Garland on the stair rails. you can hang ornaments anywhere, tinsel and ornaments on drapes, curtains.
Stocking stuffers: Scratch tickets, movie passes, candy, fruit, gum, power bars, jewelry, belts, socks, toiletries, nice pen, pocket calendar, gift certificates, desk accessories, small toys, games, playing cards. LRC game. money. I like them chock full of a lot of things.

Answer 8

Get your big bro little games from the dollar store. Real simple and like 2 or 3 of them. Get tour mom some really cool and artistic decorations for the tree. Get your dad like some really cool glass statues. Real little ones. Hope this helps. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Answer 9

stocking stuffers I love em! maybe lottery tickets, if a golfer tees, balls, fishing lures,, if a smoker cigars, candy bars, gum, key chain, subscription to his fav magazine, cologne, small tools, use your imagination see what he likes!
Decorations just look down the Christmas isle! Whew you will have fun

Answer 10

If yer cat is anything like mine, yer decorations on the tree need to be umbreakable!