Small, useful and fun things to fill a stocking without filling the bin.
Best fits first, then by Picked Rating, from all our lists
A party card game
9.6/10
£9.99 RRP
Something to play with friends that isn’t a screen. Quick, loud games are best.
Why we picked it: A fast push-your-luck game that gets louder with every round. Teenagers and adults get equally hooked.
What owners say: Brilliant fun for all ages, easy to learn and perfect for trips and holidays.
A family card game
9.6/10
£13.99 RRP
Quick games that the whole family can play on Christmas afternoon. Good for counting and taking turns too.
Why we picked it: Spot the matching symbol before anyone else. Fast, easy and fun for all ages, in a travel tin.
What owners say: Quick, easy to learn and properly competitive. Kids and adults love it.
A luxury chocolate bar selection
9.5/10
££ £15–£40
Better than a selection box and eaten by Boxing Day. A mix of flavours makes it feel like a tasting.
Why we picked it: Four dark bars from 70% to 85%, from a British craft chocolate maker. A tasting session in a box.
What owners say: Smooth, not bitter and some of the best chocolate they’ve had. A great gift for dark chocolate fans.
A kids’ joke book
9.4/10
£7.99 RRP
They’ll read every joke out loud at Christmas dinner. That’s either a feature or a warning.
Why we picked it: Jokes from the world of Roald Dahl, with Quentin Blake’s illustrations. Expect to hear every single one at Christmas dinner.
What owners say: Delightful and easy to read. Kids giggle through it before they’re out of bed.
A small building bricks set
9.4/10
£ Under £15
A mini build that takes 20 minutes and then gets played with. Compatible sets mix with bricks they already have.
Why we picked it: Genuine LEGO: build a cupcake, ice cream, avocado and taco, each with a funny face.
What owners say: Bright, cute and great value, with little projects that are easy for kids to follow.
Scratch art pads
9.4/10
£ Under £15
Scratch the black surface to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Mess-free, quiet and absorbing.
Why we picked it: Scratch the black away to reveal rainbow colours underneath. Quiet, mess-free and absorbing.
What owners say: Vibrant colours, easy to scratch and hours of quiet fun.
A long tape measure
9.4/10
£15.21 RRP
For measuring rooms before buying furniture, which is what every new homeowner does constantly.
Why we picked it: From STANLEY, the brand tradespeople trust. A wide, clear blade that stays rigid, and accurate to half a millimetre per metre.
What owners say: Classic Stanley quality: tough, accurate and easy to read.
The Flavour Thesaurus
9.4/10
£20 RRP
A much-loved book about which flavours go together and why. Inspiring for anyone who likes to cook without recipes.
Why we picked it: The modern classic on what goes with what: a book to dip into for ideas rather than follow step by step.
What owners say: A go-to reference that sparks new ideas and unexpected combinations in the kitchen.
A wine saver pump
9.4/10
£14.99 RRP
Pumps the air out of an opened bottle so it keeps for a few extra days. Ideal for anyone who likes a glass rather than a bottle.
Why we picked it: The original wine saver: it pumps the air out so an open bottle stays fresh for days. For those rare occasions a bottle isn’t finished.
What owners say: Easy to use and keeps wine fresh for several days.
A gardener’s hand cream
9.4/10
£8.49 RRP
A small treat for hands that have been in soil all year. Nice as a stocking filler alongside a bigger gift.
Why we picked it: A concentrated cream made for dry, cracked hands. Gardeners and builders swear by it.
What owners say: Works almost instantly on cracked hands and soaks in quickly.
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