17 Best Stocking Stuffers (2025): Unique and Unconventional

Hydrocolloid patches are excellent tools for fighting acne and blemishes. Starface stickers are cute enough that you can turn zits into an accessory while you're in public. They suck out the gunk from a blemish, transforming it into smooth and flat skin, and they'll look good while they do it. A little Christmas morning self-care never hurt anybody.

There's probably a limit to how many power banks are deemed practical, but I have yet to find it. This small-but-mighty option is our favorite portable charger for phones. Its 5,000-mAh capacity is large enough to charge most phones, and it's so small that it can fit into a pocket. Just make sure you get the right option for your recipient's phone, since it comes in both USB-C and Lightning versions.

This eye mask will come in handy after the festivities are done. It's soft and silky, and available in many different colors to suit any taste (or hair color). It's small and easy to stash away in the included carrying case. I like it because it blocks out light without creating too much pressure on my eyes, and the affordable price is nice too.

Of the many lip balms we've tested, Aquaphor is our top pick. It's free from dyes, fragrances, and preservatives, and it'll help soothe and protect chapped lips without buildup or residue. It's moisturizing and handy to have around in winter in general, since it can also help with chapped noses or dry cuticles.

Tiny and fun items are always nice, but this stocking stuffer serves an actual purpose. The budget-friendly reading light is simple and folds down flat. Clip it on to your book and cycle between two brightness levels and two light temperatures. The LED light swivels so you can direct the light to wherever you need it most. If you'd rather give small gifts that still have a function, this is worth considering.

This collection of scratch-off cards is a gift for everybody, sort of. There are 40 colorful cards in the box. Each card has a group of tags regarding the required prep, length, cost, and location of the date—so you can pick a surprise family activity while still having some idea of what might be expected of you. There are QR codes to help, if you need it. Maybe you'll go stargazing as a family, or maybe you'll make origami, or maybe you'll be challenged to break a world record. Every activity will ensure new memories (and probably some laughs). If you're trying to enjoy some screen-free quality time with your loved ones, this is one easy way to do it.

I love a little cardboard tree as much as the next gal, but these wooden car air fresheners feel much more elevated—and they don't dangle in my field of vision while I'm driving. The starter kit comes with a metal clip that attaches to your visor. Simply pop on a magnetic freshener block and your car will be filled with good smells for about a month. There are many scents to choose from, but I'm a fan of Cabana (coconut, bergamot, and cedarwood) and Grove (mountain greens, orange, and vanilla). I think this is a particularly good stocking stuffer for teens trying to make their car feel cooler (despite the pile of random detritus in the footwell).

Sometimes Santa-themed stocking stuffers lean a little heavily into the whole “naughty or nice” thing, especially for men. This limited-edition packaging is Christmasy without being over-the-top, and the product is good, too. The medium-grit texture helps exfoliate in the shower, and it leaves my (as well as my testers') skin smooth and not stripped. The scent is more masculine than feminine, but anyone could enjoy it.

I love everything I've tried from Vacation, which is famous for its excellent sunscreen. These body mists are available in three different scents, all with nostalgic and luxurious packaging. “Vacation” is my favorite—it smells like fake banana, suntan lotion, and a hint of that plasticky, chlorine-like scent that clings to you after spending a day at the pool. I get compliments on it every time I wear it. “After Sun” and “Grand Cuvée” are fantastic, too. The former smells like aloe vera, green tea, gin, and towels—like that post-beach-day, pre-dinner shower. The latter smells like expensive cologne, with notes of cognac, champagne cork, and chardonnay that remind me of boat dates. Each scent instantly transports me to the sticky heat of July, a welcome journey amidst the chilly weather I'm currently experiencing. Any summer enthusiast would appreciate them (and the fragrances last for hours, too.)

If you're gifting to someone who's into flashlights or the everyday carry community, they probably know Olight, the cult-favorite flashlight maker. The baby of the Olight line—in both size and age—is the new Baton Turbo. This is a tiny but shockingly powerful 1,000-lumen flashlight ideal for tucking into your pocket for everyday carry use. It's just over 3 inches long but will send light 500-plus yards—you're getting 6,000 inches of visibility for every 1 inch of aluminum alloy. The included lithium battery recharges with the company's magnetic cable and there's a dial around the button to make sure you're powered up before heading out. It's certified for IPX8 water resistance, a two-way clip, and a strobe function for getting extra attention in a rescue situation. —Martin Cizmar

Oh my god, this controller is so tiny. It measures just under 3 inches by 1 inch. It's so cute! It's available in eight different candy colors, including two different transparent versions—purple and teal—that remind me of the Nintendo 64 controllers of my youth. The Atom is compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. The best part is that it does actually work. I used it to play Stardew Valley and Bastion on my iPhone. It's important to note that those tiny buttons work well, but they're very small. My thumbs sometimes pressed up on the D-pad instead of left. I wouldn't necessarily want to complete a Skull Cavern run using the Atom. But for simple or retro-style gameplay, it's an excellent and very affordable portable controller that looks cute on a keychain to boot. It's got 10 hours of battery life and charges via USB-C.

It may be more practical than exciting, but this braided multi-cable is perfect for slipping on a keyring to ensure that your giftee is never caught without the cable they need to charge their phone and other gadgets. One of the best USB-C cables, it also covers USB-A, Lightning, and MicroUSB, and can deliver up to 100 watts or transfer data. —Simon Hill

This sexual wellness kit from Foria includes Melts with CBD, which are suppositories that deliver 50 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD as well as lubrication upon melting. You’ll also get little vials of Arousal Oil with CBD, which stimulates erogenous zones, and Sex Oil, which is a soothing, luxurious lube. All of them feature CBD and natural organic ingredients like coconut oil or cocoa butter, with no synthetic additives or fragrances. I found them to be smooth and pleasant with no noticeable effects other than excellent lubrication. And no, unlike some of the brand’s past products, these won’t get you high.

The men in my life have had success with a few different designs from The Tie Bar, but none have made us “ooh” and “aah” like this one. There are a few different designs and products in the Camp Wandawega collection, all inspired by cabins, the forest, and sitting around a fire with your pals. This tie is made of Italian silk and comes in perfectly giftable packaging. The quality is there—it feels hefty and luxurious, and I appreciate the detail in the pattern on both the front and the back. It looks striking without being overly busy.

Have you ever seen anything more delightful in your life? I very highly doubt it. These tiny handmade stoneware vegetables (plus yuzu) have so many cute and special details. The little shiitake mushroom cap has a matte finish, the yuzu has little divots, and the cucumber has two tiny end pieces that I could imagine chopping off if I were the size of Thumbelina. They make excellent chopstick rests, and I never want to take them off my table. The affordable price tag is the icing on the vegetable.

These press-on nails will give you the quickest manicure of your life, and they're available in a ton of cool styles, including holiday themes. They only take a few minutes to put on, and there are plenty of included sizes so every nail will have the perfect fit. They've lasted me two weeks. Pro tip: Slightly file the inside of the artificial nail before gluing for better adhesion.

Our furry friends need stocking stuffers too. Get them Maev's Supplement Bars or Bone Broth Topper, both of which my dog thoroughly enjoyed. The latter is a cube of frozen bone broth that you toss into their food so that it melts delicious goodness into their dinner. Maev makes a lot of claims with its Supplement Bars—I got the Skin & Coat one, which supposedly helps create a shinier and softer coat with reduced shedding. I can't vouch for these claims as I haven't seen any drastic improvements like that in my limited time with these treats, but the most important thing is my dog goes crazy for them, and I like that there are very, very few ingredients with no weird names I can't pronounce. —Julian Chokkattu