Between holiday hosting and picking up presents for everyone on your list, there's a lot to prepare for in the lead-up to Christmas. If stockings are still sitting empty and unchecked on your holiday to-do list, we're here to help!
We're no strangers to hunting down the best gifts, and we've gathered a ton of stocking stuffer recommendations from our editors and experts. In fact, Shop TODAY contributor Chassie Post even stopped by TODAY with a selection of our favorite stocking stuffers. Plus, finds from our recent Gifts We Love Awards.
Whether you're shopping for kids, teens or adults, our list includes something for everyone in the family. And don't worry, we're keeping a close eye on shipping times to help make sure your stocking stuffers will arrive in time for Christmas.
Stocking stuffers under $30 seen on TODAY
A personalized and monogrammed gift feels instantly special, says Post. These Kate Spade luggage tags make for a practical and thoughtful gift for the travel lover in your life. The brand offers bright colors that make your suitcase easy to spot on the carousel, and has a privacy flap that snaps shut to conceal your personal information
Editor's note: The current option above is low in stock, but we found a similar item that we think you'll like below.
This affordable luggage tag is available in five colors, featuring a personalized gold-embroidered initial and a privacy flap.
These aren’t your normal beanies; they’re lined with 100% satin to help alleviate that dreaded hat hair and reduce frizz, says Post. The trio comes in a few color varieties to choose from for both men and women, with options starting at $20.
This glam set is a Target exclusive and is filled with lip glosses, oils, and plumpers from top beauty brands, including Maybelline, NYX, E.l.f., and more. The set offers a mix of full and mini-sized products, and Posts says you can give the set as a whole gift, or break it up and pop the glosses into multiple stockings.
A Shop TODAY Gifts We Love 2025 winner, this 2-in-1 gadget can hold your phone, tablets, or e-readers for hands-free entertainment while you watch movies, listen to music, read or video call. And don’t let the speaker size fool you, says Post, it has great sound. Plus, it’s cordless, rechargeable and folds flat, making it perfect for traveling.
Stumped on a stocking stuffer “for him” or the handy person in your life? This unique gadget is a flashlight and a magnetic pickup tool that allows you to easily grab fallen nails and screws. Plus, the magnetic base turns the gadget into a hands-free light.
These editor-loved gel nail strips provide salon-worthy results without the dry time and mess. And they're so easy to use, you just apply the appropriate size, file off, and you're good to go. This particular bundle comes with two sets that you can also break up for multiple stockings, or gift as a whole set.
Post loves this fidget toy for both kids and adults, and says it's "almost impossible to put down." It has a magnetic system that allows you to shift the cube into over 70 different shapes, which is calming and great for fidgeting hands, says Post.
The beauty lover in your life will love this embroidered makeup bag from Personalization Mall. Post says the velvet and ribbed fabric give it a luxurious and chic look, and it's designed with a waterproof lining and tons of room for everyday essentials.
Give hardworking hands and feet some tender loving care with this hand and foot mask from Patchology. According to the brand, it's formulated with shea butter and strawberry oil to strengthen and hydrate the skin barrier. Post calls it the "ultimate at-home pampering moment."
The brand also sells the masks separately:
If you know someone who is always cold, these adorable (and Gifts We Love award-winning) handwarmers make the perfect gift for this chilly season. According to the brand, it heats up on both sides and lasts up to four hours. When it's not in use, Post says it can clip on your tote and double as a bag charm.
From the viral brand Fly By Jing, this trio features bestselling sauces for anyone who can't get enough of spice. Post notes that they're crunchy and flavorful, and suggests adding them to eggs, noodles, rice and even pizza. "I love the kick of spice, but they're not too spicy," noted Post.
This stocking stuffer is fun for the whole family. According to the game, it comes with 50 different riddles to solve and is suitable for ages six and up. The brand even offers other variations to play and add to family game night, too.
More expert-recommended stocking stuffers
"We got these dinosaur hatching eggs for my 4-year-old nephew and he was obsessed!" Shop TODAY contributor Makho Ndlovu raves. "Just add water and watch the dinosaurs hatch from the colorful eggs. According to the brand, the dinosaurs grow to 600% of their original size in several days!"
Ndlovu says growing Bonsai trees is a meditative practice — once they take shape, you get to flex your creative muscles and sculpt the trees as they grow! This kit contains everything you need to start your own Bonsai growing journey at home: four types of seeds, pots, plant markers, soil and shaping shears.
This at-home luxury is the perfect gift this holiday season, Post says, calling it a great way to feel like you're at the spa without stepping foot outside! With over 21,000 ratings on Amazon, they come in a pack of six scents that dissolve in your bathtub or shower, releasing aromatherapy essential oils for maximum relaxation. They're individually wrapped, too, so you can gift the whole set or split them up among the stockings!
A Gifts We Love award winner, the Tamagotchi is the nostalgic stocking stuffer that’ll keep all ages entertained this Christmas. It’s a digital pet that you can feed, play with, give medicine and more. Post calls it a perfect gift for the kid — or the kid at heart — on your list this season.
Imagine waking up on Christmas morning, opening your stocking and seeing coffee — best gift ever! You won't need to leave your home to get the taste of coffee from around the world, thanks to this pack of four of gourmet flavors. It comes with cute postcards from each country and a tasting note card, too!
Lifestyle expert Amy E. Goodman previously stopped by TODAY to share some of her top gifting picks to stash in stockings. This truffle honey from New York-based brand The Truffleist made her list because it'll add some pizzazz to any charcuterie board, pizza or dish of their choosing.
"Here’s a stocking stuffer that will make you immeasurably popular with the foodies," suggests Goodman. "Each jar is filled with a blend of wildflower honey and Black Summer Truffle for a sweet and salty taste. Yum!"
For its price, this beard trimmer set looks more luxe than it costs, per Goodman. It claims to achieve the same salon-quality results at home with various comb attachments (which can work on the hair, face and body), stainless steel blades and other essentials. The powerful motor can provide up to 80 minutes of cordless use until it needs to be recharged, and the device overall will look sharp on their vanity.
Best stocking stuffers, according to editors
Every year we lose pairs of socks, and this deal from Uniqlo is too good to pass up. While each pair is only $3.90, the brand offers a deal where you can get four pairs for $12.90! They’re a favorite of associate editor Erica Marrison.
These makeup wipes have become a stocking stuffer staple in associate editor Sierra Hoeger’s house, which means she looks forward to receiving them every year. “They’re one of those products you just don’t think to buy for yourself,” she says. “And Mom knows best...she knows I’m not buying them for myself.”
"I have been using this newly launched serum-infused hand soap and really like that it nourishes my skin instead of stripping it every time I wash my hands," says production associate Audrey Ekman. "It's great for fall since it marks the start of a stretch of drier air and cold and flu season, when we're washing our hands more and need additional moisture. Plus, it's so affordable (under $5 right now!)."
Former editor Amanda Fama used to have a stick-on wallet and says, “It was so convenient while trying to find my cash or subway card in a rush.” She recommends this style because it has a snap closure and multiple pockets.
Bracelet stacks are having their moment, and Hoeger likes these classic thread bracelets “because they’re a no-frills addition to any bracelet stack!” Since its inception, the brand has partnered with more than 300 charities, meaning your gift will give back.
Cold weather can mean dry skin and that includes your lips. Former intern Domonique Tolliver says she uses the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast balm for her body and is excited to try their new lip balm.
“Cicaplast is like liquid gold for my extremely dry and sensitive skin,” she says. “I need to take care of my lips as well as I do the rest of my skin so this will be an A+ addition to my skincare routine.”
Associate social media editor Dani Musacchio recommends this candle lighter for any candle lover. The gadget has a 360-degree rotatable neck that they can shift as their candle burns with time.
If they already have a ton of stuffies, you can feel better that this one is only 5 inches tall. It can quite literally fit in the palm of their hand and is even part of a collectible series.
"While I love my nicer sunglasses, I have a bad track record of losing/breaking frames, so it's nice to have a cheaper pair on hand," says Ekman. "I initially bought these sunglasses over two years ago (I purchased them in a set of two for $18) and just repurchased after losing them on a trip. I have a small/narrow face and find that most frames look huge on me, but these are perfect — the vintage-inspired, '90s shape is so flattering and they go with everything."
Finding gifts for home chefs can be tricky, especially when it seems like they already have everything in their kitchen. “I always really love gifting hot sauces you typically wouldn’t find in a supermarket during the holidays,” deputy managing editor Jess Bender says. “I tried this zippy, zesty one at a hot sauce convention a while back and everyone who’s had it LOVES it.”
For those colder winter days, stock their stocking with this lip mask that is loved by many editors. Marrison uses this and says, "It moisturizes my lips better than a lot of higher-priced options, and the curve of the tip makes application easy. It's the ideal gloss-meets-balm."
Shopping for someone with a sweet tooth who is also gluten-free? Stuff their stocking with these gluten-free glazed donuts. Social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo says these are the “perfect sweet treat for gluten-free people that can’t have a lot of the normal holiday treats!”
Vice President of commerce Jen Birkhofer gifted this to her sister and sister-in-law. "I love quick-dry hair towels and Kitsch has some of the best. It really helps you get ready faster and helps with hair health."
Many Shop TODAY team members are avid runners and these socks are among our favorite gear. "They're super comfortable and I would absolutely recommend them to new runners who are not used to the discomfort that may come with getting adjusted to running consistently," says associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. "I also love that while they provide max cushioning, they don't leave my feet sweaty."
Need the perfect finishing olive oil? Olio Piro has you covered. “It brings an extra note of bold herbaceousness to lighten up decadent dishes, or complement a fresher main like a big salad,” Bender says.
For those with a furry friend who gets a stocking, you are probably eager to find some treats to gift them. Many of our editors recommend this chew toy that scrubs away plaque and tartar as your furry friend is biting and playing.
Your makeup can always use an upgrade and Lancôme is the perfect brand to spoil yourself with. Bender says this Idôle mascara has ruined her for life.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had my lashes look as lifted as they do when I apply this thanks to the curved wand that touches every strand possible,” she says. “I also just ran out so the timing couldn’t be more perfect for gifting.”
After thinking about the best gifts to give, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Writer Emma Stessman is ahead of the game — “I would looove to get some liquid IV packs in my stocking,” she says. “Help me get an early start on my annual resolution to be better about hydration.”
Production coordinator Camryn Privette says this butter balm is her new go-to lip product. “I’ve dropped multiple hints that it would be the perfect stocking stuffer to my parents,” she says.
The formula keeps your lips hydrated all day while the tint gives them a natural glow.
We all know a coffee lover who would love to have some extra cash to help fund their caffeine addiction. “Starbucks or Dunkin ‘ gift cards are another staple that manages to find their way into our stockings every year,” Hoeger says.
Editor Vivien Moon recommends these Forever Eye Masks that actually last (almost) forever. The brand says the masks are best for boosting hydration and plumping fine lines.
“I love those reusable Dieux eye masks,” Moon says. “I’ve had mine for like two years now.”
Experience gifts are always a great idea, and a Classpass gift card gives them endless possibilities to treat themselves. With this gift card, they can book everything from gym sessions to manicures in their area. Shigo uses the app and says, "The first thing I do when going anywhere is check what is available on ClassPass. I am using it for everything from smoothies to barre classes and manis and pedis."
Stewart-Jackson is also an avid ClassPass user and loves to use it for massages, pilates classes and even trying new restaurants in her area!
The next family game night is sure to be a fun one with this game. You have to play against other teams to race to name a famous historical figure. The hard part? You can only use a single word and act it out.
We all know someone whose phone is always dying, and sometimes it’s ourselves, present company included. For deputy editorial director Ali Deabler, it’s her sister whom she is planning to gift this portable charger. She says it “works really well” and is “small, compact [and] easily fits in a stocking.”
A new pair of affordable sunnies that you can add a prescription to? Yes, please! Shigo gifts this brand often and says, "They make really good quality glasses for a great price. The pair I gifted my brother years ago, he still loves them."
This little device is a game-changer for babies and people who need a good night's sleep. It also won a 2025 Shop TODAY Travel Award. Privette has this and says, "I need white noise when going to sleep and this handy machine is great for traveling! It's pretty basic and has everything you need for a good night's sleep."
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Chassie Post, Makho Ndlovu and Amy E. Goodman.
- Chassie Post is a Shop TODAY contributor, TV host and lifestyle editor. Whether she’s talking fashion and beauty or home and entertaining, Post is known nationwide for covering the latest trends with her keen eye.
- Makho Ndlovu is a Shop TODAY contributor and on-air expert. Her expertise spans fashion, celebrities, lifestyle and more.
- Amy E. Goodman is a lifestyle expert and frequent TODAY contributor.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more finds that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
Google’s new Preferred Sources feature allows users to manually select their favorite publishers and news outlets for a more customizable experience tailored directly to the reader. Once you’ve opted to receive our content, you’ll begin seeing more of our recent and trending articles displayed within your Top Stories news feed.
The easiest way to add us as a preferred source is to click here and type in “TODAY.com.” Once the box is checked and you’ve refreshed the page, Shop TODAY content will start appearing in your feed.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guide for stocking stuffers under $10, as well as gift guides for toddlers, 11-year-olds, 12-year-olds and more.
