Easy Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas From the Drugstore for Everyone on Your List

Stockings hanging on a mantel with a Christmas tree out of focus in the background.

No one will know you procrastinated with these amazing last-minute stocking stuffer ideas.

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Stocking stuffers are a Christmas morning tradition and a fun way to add extra joy and surprises to the holiday. These small gifts can be thoughtfully selected for anyone on your list: your husband, wife, kids, teens, adults, mom, dad, sister, or brother.

If you’re a last-minute shopper and need stocking stuffer ideas from a drugstore (also called a pharmacy) or big box store because there’s not enough time to order online, this list of drugstore stocking stuffer ideas is for you. Even if you’re shopping in advance, it can be easier, more convenient, and more enjoyable to pop into a store such as Walgreens or Target, grab all of the items you need, and check it off your list!

I love getting drugstore stocking stuffers because I prefer useful consumable items — items that serve a purpose, get used, then are gone — over things that could end up as clutter. Gifting things that serve a purpose can be very appreciated, especially for those with limited funds, like teenagers, college students, and recent graduates.

In this list I’m sharing lots of drugstore stocking stuffer ideas that are practical and useful, edible, or fun. In my family we consider stocking stuffers to be items that are inexpensive and small, not just small. If something is an expensive gift it belongs under the tree. So the majority of these items are under $5 or $10, with a few that might come in over that, but not worthy of being an “under the tree” gift. 

You’ll see that this list of drugstore stocking stuffers is broken into the following categories for easy browsing: Candy & Snacks; Toiletries; Skincare, Makeup, & Hair Care; Toys, Activities, & Games; and Miscellaneous Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas. There are options that will appeal to everyone on your list.

These last-minute stocking stuffer ideas will make everyone happy on Christmas morning!


Check out these great ideas for women, men, teen girls, teen boys, preteens, and kids.

Candy & Snacks

Ideas for men, women, teen boys, teen girls, preteens, kids

I’m a fan of the Christmas-themed candy, which makes it feel a little more special, although you can include any candy or snacks that fit in a stocking:

  • Candy canes (they come in many fun flavors now)
  • Nuts
  • Jellybeans
  • Chocolates
  • Mini hazelnut spread
  • Mini jar of jelly
  • Individual packets of hot chocolate mix 
  • Peanut butter cups
  • Fruit gummies
  • Gum
  • Mints
  • Chocolate covered pretzels
  • Caramels
  • Hard candies 
  • Protein bars
  • Jerky
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Marshmallow treats
  • Lollipops
  • Coffee, coffee pods
  • Tea
  • Individual packets of flavored drink mix
  • Animal crackers
  • Cookies

Toiletries

Ideas for women, men, teen girls, teen boys

These items are useful for anyone to have. I especially liked receiving these stocking stuffers while on a tight budget as a college student and recent grad, since it meant my bathroom would be stocked up for a while:

  • Face wash
  • Face moisturizer
  • Deodorant / Antiperspirant
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Dry shampoo 
  • Razors
  • Shaving cream
  • Aftershave
  • Loofah bath sponge
  • Body wash
  • Bar soap
  • Perfume / Cologne 
  • Hair styling products 
  • Leave-in conditioner 
  • Hair brush / Comb 
  • Hand soap 
  • Travel-sized items 
  • Mini hand sanitizer
  • Mini pack of tissues (for your purse/backpack)

Skincare, Makeup, & Hair Care 

Ideas that will mostly appeal to women, teen girls, and preteen girls, although a few items might appeal to kids.

These items are both fun and useful, and can promote relaxation and a spa-like experience at home. Many are self-care items that women, teens, and preteens would enjoy using, but sometimes don’t want to spend their own money on:

  • Nail polish, base coat, top coat
  • Nail care kit
  • Facial masks (sheets or gel)
  • Hair mask
  • Hair elastics
  • Hair clips
  • Bobby pins
  • Bath bomb
  • Bubble bath
  • Lip balm
  • Lip mask
  • Pore strips
  • Pimple patches 
  • Foot mask
  • Hand cream
  • Mascara
  • Lipstick / Lip gloss 
  • Eye shadow palette
  • Makeup application sponges
  • Makeup brushes
  • Makeup remover wipes 
  • Eyelash curler

Toys, Activities, & Games 

For kids, preteens 

Fun stocking stuffer ideas that kids or preteens might enjoy:

  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Paint set
  • Coloring Book
  • Activity book
  • Storybook
  • Small toys (e.g. mini cars, mini bubbles, mini slider puzzle)
  • Play-Doh
  • Small stuffed animals
  • Squish balls 
  • Stickers
  • Christmas memo pads
  • Play jewelry
  • Deck of cards
  • Bouncy balls
  • Temporary tattoos 
  • Travel-sized games 

Miscellaneous Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Ideas for teen boys, teen girls, men, women

Here are some additional drugstore stocking stuffer ideas: 

  • Hand warmers
  • Gift cards
  • Batteries 
  • Winter gloves 
  • Scratch off lottery tickets (for age 18+)
  • Activity books (e.g. word search, Sudoku)
  • Cozy socks

Related: Memorable Quality Time Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List


Stockings hanging on a mantel with a Christmas tree out of focus in the background.

For someone who is particularly hard to shop for, you might do well with a themed stocking if they have a certain interest. For example:

  • For a foodie, fill their stocking with all different snacks, hot sauce, nuts, jellies, etc.
  • For someone who loves self care, you could do a “spa day” theme and fill their stocking with bath bombs, hair mask, face masks, foot masks, etc.
  • For someone who likes to travel, you could select travel sized toiletries, a small first aid kit, ear plugs, etc.

These are just a few ideas as examples, but you can come up with other themes based on the likes and interests of the recipient.


  • As a general rule of thumb, a good mix of stocking stuffers combines useful items with a few fun or unexpected surprises.
  • Keep interests, hobbies, tastes, and preferences in mind.
  • (Almost) everyone loves a tasty treat in their stocking! Add their favorite candy, a seasonal snack item, or something they don’t usually splurge on.
  • Holiday-themed items feel fun and festive, especially for kids.

Related: The Best Seafood Gift Baskets From Maine


You can fill everyone’s stockings with useful, fun, and delicious items that you can find at practically any drugstore or big box store. By keeping the recipient’s interests in mind, you can curate a stocking that’s practical, unexpected, and tasty.

You don’t need to be a last-minute shopper to take advantage of these stocking stuffer ideas. Buying stocking stuffers in person instead of ordering them online can be more enjoyable. Plus, as you browse the store aisles to see their options, you get to see the sizes of the items and make sure they’re in good condition, which is especially useful with food items, because they sometimes arrive broken or squished in the mail.

Here’s to having a magical Christmas morning with those we love!


Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to this list of last-minute stocking stuffer ideas. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration.

A graphic showing an image of stockings hanging on a mantel. Text over the image says, Gift Guide: last-minute stocking stuffers for everyone on your list.

Christmas Gift Guide: Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas From the Drugstore


Do you have any other last-minute stocking stuffer ideas that can be found in a drugstore? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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