Giveaway: The small flat-rate box of stocking stuffers.

by

(As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This revenue helps keep the blog lights on.)

Back in 2015 I received a press release about “fun and affordable” stocking stuffers. Specifically, about stocking stuffers “under $50.”

Wait. What?

I was pretty surprised to see suggestions like $50 iTunes cards and $30 bottles of perfume. So I wound up writing a piece called “12 ways to spend less on stocking stuffers,” which noted a dozen ways to spend little (or nothing) on fun gifts for the holiday sock.

This year I’ve come up with an even easier way to spend less on stocking stuffers: by giving readers a chance to win some.

I’ve come into possession of/already owned a handful of things that would make great stocking stuffers. Since I love doing giveaways – and since readers love getting something for free – I created the “Small Flat-Rate Box of Stocking Stuffers” giveaway.

The giveaway includes a $5 Starbucks gift card, which is enough to get some people to enter even if they don’t care much about the other items in the box. There’s just something universal about Starbucks cards, even if you – like me – don’t even drink coffee.

However, some of these other items in the collection should appeal to relatives, friends, co-workers or even the local family shelter.

 

Here’s what else is in the box:

Picture frame. A small, surprisingly heavy pewter-looking frame featuring a cat looking out a window. It measures 2½ by 3½ inches, and would be just the thing for a photo of a treasured kitteh – or maybe for your favorite pup, because it would appear as though the dog were looking in the window at the cat, and disappointed that he couldn’t get at it.

 

Miniature book: Got a friend who adores trashy books, or old-time design and graphics? If so, then “Bad Girls of Pulp Fiction” is just the thing. It’s a collection of lurid covers from adult pulp novels published from the 1940s to the 1960s. You know, stuff like “Tomcat in Tights” and “Sex-A-Go-Go.” A tiny high-heeled gold shoe charm is attached to the ribbon bookmark.

 

 

Reusable shopping bag: This one’s from the Financial Blogger Conference expo hall, and it bears the slogan “Money on my mind, Twine by my side” – Twine being a personal finance app. The bag is made of cotton and it folds up to about the size of that picture frame, so it fits easily into a pocket or purse.

Hair scrunchie: The ’80s are back, baby! This was handmade by an Alaska artist, namely, one of my great-nephews. He attended a bazaar with his mom and struck up a conversation with a girl about his age, who had a table of fabric items, including scrunchies.

B went home and got on YouTube and by the end of the day had figured out how to make them himself (see photo). Always one to encourage entrepreneurship, I bought a scrunchie for the giveaway.

Phone Pocket: It’s a peel-and-stick pocket affixes to the back of your phone or your phone case, to let you carry your driver’s license, cash or cards. This one is kind of a rose-marbled color.

 

Bone pendant: That’s carved from bone, not a giant humerus to dangle from a chain around your neck. Not sure of the provenance, but the carving – a whale with a stylized human head – could be a Maori design. The pendant is suspended on a black string with a few beads.

 

Devilfish lip balm: That’s not a brand. It was handed out at the world premiere of Perseverance Theatre’s “Devilfish,” a drama written by Alaska playwright Vera Starbard. Let the person you give it to think you went all the way to Juneau or Anchorage to see the show. Or keep it in a coat pocket for those winter-dried lips of yours.

Polished stone pendant: Dark brown with paler highlights, it has an attachment for a chain. But it would also make a pretty fair worry stone.

Blue and white beaded bracelet: I think this is for a child, or for someone with really skinny wrists. It’s in the picture on the left, along with the pendant.

 

Starbucks gift card: Hey, even $5 should get you a frou-frou coffee drink or a nice hot chocolate. If you opt to put this in your own stocking, I’ll never tell.

 

Win the stocking stuffers

 

As usual, it’s easy to enter:

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry (e.g., “Subscribed via e-mail” or “Follow you on Twitter”).

The deadline to enter is 7 p.m. PST Tuesday, Dec. 10. If I don’t hear back from the winner by 7 p.m. PST Wednesday, Dec. 11, the random number generator will be forced to choose a new name.

Note: Due to the high cost of international shipping, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only.

 

Please follow and like us:

108 thoughts on “Giveaway: The small flat-rate box of stocking stuffers.”

  1. Donna, I follow you via email. My DD would love every item you listed. Since she is the only person I provide a stocking for, these treasures would be 100% utilized. Thank you for generously thinking of your readers.

    Reply

  4. I do apologize if my first entry went through. It does not show up or show that it is awaiting moderation. I think it has something to do with my AOL email address.

    In any case, I had commented about what an interesting and unique bunch of stocking stuffers this is, in a totally good way! As I read each item and description, I simultaneously thought of someone I would give each item to without hesitation. Thanks for the chance to win and Merry Christmas to you and your DF and your daughter.

    Reply

  9. All useful items for a stocking, or even an office gift exchange! My best friend and her DF host open house “Cocktails, Desserts, and Christmas Bingo” every year the evening of Christmas, its a nice chance to see everyone and relax after the family time has been exhausted 🙂 – we all bring a dessert to share, and some of us chip in little items throughout the year for the Bingo prizes! It’s gotten so popular, upwards to 50 people, and we are very competitive 🙂 (Think small White Elephant items picked up at yard sales, or dollar items gleaned from the post Christmas sales previous years) These items would be PERFECT for our Christmas Bingo prizes!!!
    Thank you Donna, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply

  22. I think all of the gifts are great! Please put my name in the drawing! In case we don’t get to read any other posts beforehand, have a Very Merry Chirstmas to you and your honey!

    Reply

  24. I follow you on email and Facebook. You gotta’ know that at least some of the “loot” would go to bring joy to poor kids in the Dom. Rep. if I win!!!

    Reply

  30. I’d love to win! Thanks for the giveaway. I live in a city where we must pay for bags at stores, and the reusable ones do eventually wear out, so any reusable bag = direct $$ savings for me. The other stocking stuffers all would be great too!

    Reply

  45. What a great assortment of fun and interesting items! I love that you bought your nephew’s handmade hair scrunchie—absolutely right that you’ve got to encourage those young entrepreneurs!

    Please sign me up, and thanks for the giveaway! And a happy holiday to you and yours!

    Reply

  72. It’s shocking how much is spent on stocking stuffers! A couple years ago my husband filled mine with my favorite chocolates…. Which are very expensive imo. I appreciated the thought but would have been more happy with one or two really good chocolate bars rather a whole stocking full. Last year he took the hint and got me some of the fancy Milano flavors that come out for the holidays. At 2.50 for a bulky bag he filled my stocking for under $10 (two bags of milanos and a really good chocolate bar). Much better.

    Reply

  92. I always look forward to reading your new blog posts and often go and enjoy previous posts from your earlier years. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  99. Merry Christmas! Hmm, some of these might find their way to others – some I would keep! I read the blog and follow you on Facebook. Pick me – you won’t have to pay postage!

    Reply

Leave a Comment