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Wednesday Randomosity: Assorted Tidbits and Updates Edition

It’s Wednesday and we are somehow nearly halfway through January. Let’s have some bullets, shall we?

Rough Return to Routine: Re-entry post holiday break has been A Challenge. In trying to leave my cozy cocoon, I have a lot of empathy for creatures who swathe themselves in gauze only to be forced, weak-limbed and light-stunned, back into the real world.

Part of the problem, of course, is that we got on a totally awful sleep schedule during the break, and that has been challenging to reverse. I like to think of myself as a morning person, but really, I’m fine staying up late and sleeping late if that’s a workable schedule. As it was for fifteen straight days. I tried, oh I tried, to ease us back into eight-thirty bedtimes and six am wakeups, but it did not stick for anyone. (On my end, I managed to get back to five-thirty wakeups, with a lot of help from the cat, but I have not managed to get to bed before midnight more than once or twice.)

The other part of the problem, in my opinion, is that there’s been no gradual reincorporation into normalcy. It’s just, like, BAM, back into it. It’s got to be even harder for my poor kid, who’s the one enduring school and all her activities; I’m just driving her around, and that’s messing me up completely. The past weekend was PACKED with stuff. Between Friday and today, my kid has had two appointments, a sleepover with her grandparents, five extra-curricular activities, one performance, and a birthday party. That doesn’t even count three days of school. We didn’t get home until after ten Monday night and when Carla had a hard time waking up yesterday morning, even though I let both of sleep in an extra forty-five minutes, I did not blame her one bit.

The cat has NOT been happy with all these shifting schedules, let me tell you. He doesn’t seem to be finding as much interest in his normal suite of toys and playing. His eating schedule is all out of whack. He – who is normally a pretty silent cat – has been wandering around mewing plaintively, and then flopping at my feet, and then either purring when I pet him or biting my hand (usually he just lies there contentedly while I pet him). Is he sick? Is he hurt? Is he bored? Is he confused about where the other two humans have disappeared to? Is he depressed? Or is he just complaining about the lack of a steady, reliable schedule?

What I’m Reading: I did not mean to vague post the other day, when I mentioned the book I was considering DNFing. It was, indeed, Heart the Lover (bookshop.org / amazon). But I soldiered on and as soon as I got to page 20, I hit my stride and then I couldn’t put it down. It felt, in some ways, very similar to The Goldfinch (bookshop.org / amazon) – where bloomed, out of a perfectly readable and engaging story, an epiphany that felt life-changing. Now I have the difficult task of finding a book to follow that one. Any suggestions? I feel like the next one is bound to pale in comparison, so maybe I will just pick up a book I don’t have high hopes for.

I am listening to The Long Night by Christian White (bookshop.org / amazon) (I love the rhythm of the title and author pairing, and the unintentional rhyme) and it’s an excellent fast-paced thriller. I recall reading a few reviews that criticized it for being confusing, and I have reached the point where I understand what all the complaints are about; yesterday, I paused the audiobook and stood in my kitchen, knife poised over a half-sliced cucumber, trying to get everything straight in my head. I think I understand? Well, we’ll see.

Things I’ve Bought Lately: I did a mini refresh of kitchen staples: new pot holders, new trivets, new spatulas, new whisk. It is quite pleasing to retrieve a hot pan from the oven with a fresh pot holder, free of holes and stains and burn marks. I also went a little wild and replaced my microplane… and my new one is so much better I am kicking myself for not replacing it earlier. The only kitchen refreshments I have left to buy are a new kitchen mat and new cutting boards. The cutting boards are throwing me for a loop. I don’t think I want plastic ones, but I definitely want cutting boards I can throw in the dishwasher. Instagram has recently been serving me all sorts of content about titanium cutting boards, but I’m suspicious. Perhaps I want these paper composite boards instead?

In non-kitchen purchases, I bought myself a new foot file.

It works great.

But. It reminds me a little too much of my new microplane. Worry not; I am storing them in separate rooms of the house.

Resolution in Progress: One of my New Year’s resolutions is to appear in more photos this year. At an event earlier this week, I tried to gamely follow through. I forced my husband to take a couple selfies (ussies?) of the two of us. I forced someone’s husband to take a picture of a bunch of the women together. The one of me and my husband resides safely on his phone, where I may one day in several months revisit it with kinder eyes. However, I cannot bring myself to send the group photo to any of the other women because I hate my image so fiercely. I need to. I am going to. The other women all look darling. And I can kind of talk myself into thinking that I look so terrible in large part because of where I am in the group – on the side, right up at the edge of the photo – and also I am holding two bulky jackets and that just doesn’t look cute at all. But I think I need A Plan for appearing in photos in such a way as to encourage additional photo taking. Perhaps I need to study up on photo poses and push past my fear of annoying people to request specific angles and multiple options from whichever poor soul winds up being my photographer of the moment.

Things I’ve Done in 2026 That I Haven’t Done Before: I got bangs! This is a very recent development, so it’s possible that the excitement will fade. But right now, I love them. It was extremely gratifying to pick up Carla from school and have her immediately crow, “You got bangs! They are so cute!” and then fervently wish that she could have bangs. Also extremely gratifying was my husband’s reaction, which was smiling and intense scrutiny for a few minutes until he said, “The bangs look really good!” The last time I had bangs was in… fourth grade? Fifth? I am not counting the over-hairsprayed swoop of side bangs I wore all through middle school.

Special Projects: My dad and I installed a new light fixture in the cat’s litter box room. It took us three separate tries (Day 1: not enough wire connectors; no switch. Day 2: drill didn’t work. Day 3: finished!) but we installed it together and I did a good bit of the work. I’m not saying that I could install a light fixture on my own, but… maybe I could? I did get pretty good at wiring a switch. Things I will need if I ever want to do this by myself: electrician’s pliers, wire stripper/crimping tool, and a voltage tester.

Things I’m Eating Lately: Family friends had us over for dinner recently, and they served us this cucumber salad alongside roasted salmon, and it was so good I immediately bought a cucumber so I could make it myself. My friend omitted the toasted sesame seeds, so I did as well. I’m otherwise in kind of a food rut these days, so we’re doing a lot of Ham Sandwich for dinner around here. Ham Sandwich with a side of cucumber salad.

The Dress Hunt Persists: I am still seeking dresses for two upcoming fancy events. My husband (who was a little leery of me ordering a bunch of dresses online and returning the ones that didn’t work) and I went to An Actual Mall the other day, so I could try on dresses in department stores. That was… awful. The selection was awful, the sizing was awful. I hate trying things on in department stores. Everything about it was demoralizing.

So I finally ordered some dresses, which was my original plan all along. Two have already arrived and they fit and they are fine. The magenta one is better; I like the sleeves and the back is cute and the hem falls at a nicer place on my leg. But the silver and black one is also fine, if a tad bit too long. It should be okay if I can persuade my feet to endure heels for a night. Two others are on the way: this one, which I shared with you back in December, and this one, which I think looks fun and pretty. We’ll see, but at least I have two acceptable options, which is a huge relief.

Skin Sitch: My skin situation seems to have calmed down. My guess is that it was entirely hormonal. I have normal monthly fluctuations in my skin, but once in a while, everything seems to be so much worse than usual. Fortunately, it’s returned to normal.

Speaking of skin, I am loving my current skincare regimen, which consists of a twice-daily peptide serum, a twice-daily application of moisturizer, plus hydrating face sunscreen serum each morning, and a retinol / hyaluronic acid serum at night. (Why is everything a serum all of a sudden?) My skin feels SO SOFT when I wash my face in the mornings, and I have had two people comment on my skin in recent months. The compliments both came via salespeople in department store perfume counters, and were likely sales motivators rather than the truth, but, wow, did those women know exactly how to make me preen. (I did not buy anything from either of them; that’ll teach you to be nice, salespeople.)

My Cat, Still Catting: My cat remains a daily delight.

Okay that seems to be a good round-up of what’s going on around here. What’s going on with you?

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Cat-Themed Gifts for Cats and Their Fans

When I was putting together the lists of gift ideas and stocking stuffer suggestions, I kept coming across delightful cat-themed options. Of course, cat stuff is kind of niche, and I know not everyone likes cats. (It’s okay; I still love you.) So just for fun, I collected a bunch of cat-specific gift ideas for our furry feline friends and the people who love them.

All images below from the accompanying sites linked to in the descriptions.
Some of the gift ideas below use affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on a link and buy that product.

Cat feather wand: My cat and I play with this pretty much every day. (Today, he chose to play with a hair tie instead.) It is such an enduring favorite that we have three wands and a huge variety of feather clips and other “prey” to attach to the string.

Cat tree: I swore I would NEVER have a cat tree in my home; they are hideous and huge and I hate them. And it took all of two days for me to change my mind and welcome a cat tree into my home. It has been SUCH a good purchase. The cat uses it as a resting place, an observation station, a scratching post, a playground. Even though he is nearly three times the size he was when we first got this cat tree, it still “fits” him and he loves it. He spends HOURS there every day.

Cat carrier hoodie: A relative got one of these sweatshirts for my daughter and it has been a delight for cat and humans alike.

Cats and pansies art print: I love this and want to hang it in my office.

Cat Christmas tree: I do not need this, I do not need this, I do not need this. (I want this very badly.)

A Literary Cat for Every Day of the Year by Tara Richardson: Yes. This book sounds perfect.

Carpeted cat ramp: A lot of cat scratchers and ramps are made of cardboard or sisal. Both of those things are nice scratching surfaces, but my cat also LOVES the feel of carpet against his claws. This ramp is a nice alternative to the actual carpet.

Cat plates: I want these so badly I can hardly stand it.

Keepsake puzzle box: This is such a charming little box!

Cat spirals: If you want the biggest bang for your buck, these spirals are it. My cat goes crazy for these and will spend hours chasing them around our house. They do tend to disappear, though; usually under the oven, but also into inexplicable places I have yet to find.

Cat with martini art print: To me, there is something so impossibly elegant and chic about this painting.

Magnetic bookmarks: Cats peering out at you from a book? Yes.

Churu bites: These are my cat’s favorite treats. FYI: since they are little hollow shells filled with goo, they are the perfect vehicle for a hidden pill.

Cat socks: These look so soft.

Mug and sock set: Oh! I also love this little grouping of cozy catware! This would make such a good gift for the cat sitter!

Window bird feeder: My cat would never leave the window if we got him this bird feeder.

Da Vinci’s Cat by Catherine Gilbert Murdock: My daughter and I read this book a few years ago, and it was a really fun read featuring a time traveling cat.

Cat tunnel: Santa is planning to bring this to my cat for Christmas. Shhh – don’t tell him.

Cat spoon rest: These are darling.

Catnip bubbles: I think my cat would be fascinated by bubbles, but I haven’t tried these yet.

Cat T-shirt: Endless options abound, but I love the expressions on this foursome.

Nambe cat photo frame: I love Nambe products – they are so sleek and elegant – and I like the idea of having a cat-shaped frame that isn’t too overtly cat-y.

Cat bookends: I already have these in my office, and I love them because they are very subtle. However, I would love a pair that are more noticeably cats. These are contenders, too.

Interactive cat toy with moving feather: One of the challenges of having a cat is keeping him entertained. An entertained cat is a cat that stays out of trouble. Mostly. This toy is so good at keeping him occupied without my intervention. He mainly ignores the little butterfly wand on the top of the toy, and he only occasionally swats at the track balls, but he LOVES the little feather guy that appears and disappears at random.

Amazing Cat Stories by Karen Roberts: This title sounds perfect for the cat fan.

Cats notecards: I keep promising myself I will send more mail. These cards would help a ton with motivation.

Exploding Kittens game: This is a durable hit around our house.

Cat slippers: There are so many fun options for cat slippers. What a time to be alive!

Carpeted cat scratcher: My cat LOVES this scratcher. His favorite thing is to run full speed toward the scratcher, dive under it, and bat at the little hanging feather toy on the other side. This maneuver is equal parts startling and hilarious.

Cat castle puzzle: I’m not a fan of jigsaw puzzles, but my husband is and I know he would love this puzzle.

Scratching post: We have MULTIPLE scratchers in our house, in an effort to keep the kitty from ruining our carpet and furniture. He’s a big cat, so we wanted a nice sturdy scratching post and this one is great. He’s eleven pounds and leaps at the vertical post and it has never tipped over.

Cat hair clips: I love that these are subtle and come in lots of color options.

Wall hooks: Can you imagine how fun it would be to build a décor theme around these hooks?

Cat planter: These are adorable.

Cat handbag: I’m normally pretty simple and utilitarian when it comes to my handbags, but this cat crossbody is charming.

Find the Cat puzzle book: My daughter came across this in a bookstore recently and spent a very long time flipping through the pages.

Little Kitty, Big City game for Nintendo Switch: My daughter requested this game for Christmas.

Cat grass kit: We bought this for our cat and he LOVES it. He alternates between chewing on the grass, dropping spirals into it, and hiding behind it to pretend he’s a tiger. The cat grass grows amazingly quickly.

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida: I have seen this book all over the place lately, and it sounds so charming.

Cat vase: I want this.

Petcube 360-degree camera: My friend got a pet camera for her dogs and it has provided endless entertainment and comfort. I would love to know what my cat gets up to when I’m not around.

Bathroom sign: This cracks me up.

Cat trivia book: If you have a kid who loves cats and facts, this would be a fun stocking stuffer.

Cat earrings: These are the kinds of earrings that make me want to have pierced ears! They are so cute. As are these.

I Am a Cat by Galia Bernstein: This is one of my – and my daughter’s – favorite picture books of all time. The illustrations are fabulous and the story is sweet.

Cat post-it dispenser: Yes please.

Cat butt makeup kit: My kid would get such a kick out of this. There are plenty of other cute and stylish options if you aren’t into the rear view of the cat.

Hooded sherpa blanket: We got this for my daughter for Christmas. It is so soft.

Weighted eye mask: I just love this, that’s all.

How to Draw Squishy Cats & Kittens by Vera Kay: My kid would have so much fun with this book!

Microwavable cat heating pad: This cracks me up. Of course a cat would be perfect for soothing cramps or sore muscles.

Cat origami kit: What a fun little craft kit.

Nathan Pyle art print: I love Nathan Pyle cartoons and he has several fantastic cat-specific art prints.

Cat coloring book: The perfect soothing activity while your cat purrs next to you. These cat-inspired colored pencils would be the perfect accompaniment.

LEGO cat: Build your own cat!

Cat mug: I have several cat mugs but that doesn’t prevent me from wanting one more.

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag: This book – which I read as a child and then read to my own child – is weird and unsettling and wonderful.

Cat towel: I’m always in the market for a cute towel. I like this one too.

Cat apron: Even though I’ve worn an apron maybe twice ever, I think this is SO cute and want to have it immediately.

Cats & Art: 50 Masterpieces & Their Cat Breeds by Susie Hodge: Such a gorgeous coffee table book.

Cat wine charms: Super charming (pun intended).

Cat note pad: I have some cat themed notepads and they make jotting down grocery lists and phone messages much more fun.

The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth: I loved this book when I was a kid and have a copy to read with my daughter.

Window hammock: Next to his cat tree, this is the place where my cat spends most of his time. He loves keeping an eye on the neighborhood from his window vantage point. And my neighbors tell me constantly how fun it is to spot him from the street when they are out walking.

Interactive ball with tail: My cat is half terrified, half intrigued by this weird automated ball, but whatever feelings it inspired, it keeps him occupied for long stretches. It does make a very annoying cheeping noise that I could do without.

Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es) by Bob Eckstein and Nava Atlas: Um, this is very me-coded.

Freeze dried turkey treats: Fish products don’t sit well with my cat, and yet so many cat foods and treats contain fish! Even if they say they are chicken flavored! So I was pleased to find these turkey treats for him. He LOVES them.

Hidden picture cat search: Fun!

Scratch pad: Oh my goodness, this nail file is hilarious.

The Healing Power of Cats by Carina Nunstedt and Ulrica Norberg: A reminder for everyone that cats are magic.

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Stocking Stuffers 2025

We are at the point of the holiday shopping season where websites are starting to post little warnings about what will arrive in time for Christmas. We are still FIFTEEN DAYS OUT from Christmas, people. And yet it seems we need to order things NOW or they may not get here. It’s… stressing me out. Yes, even though I already have 95% of the gifts I plan to buy.

My Stocking Stuffer Syndrome (that panicky feeling that I have not quite fulfilled the Christmas Is Magical requirements, and the only way to do so is to buy more things) is in full swing. HOWEVER. Instead of buying more things, I am admiring all the things I COULD buy, maybe putting some things in digital carts, maybe earmarking some things for next year. Maybe thinking, “Oh, I really do want to buy that for so-and-so!” If you are similarly reaching for One Last Thing to give, maybe you’ll find something here.

A note on my choices: I know some people think of stockings as the place for Small Gifts, even if that means spendy things like ear buds or jewelry. But I usually like to spend about $5-$10 on stocking stuffers. Of course, inflation, so I’ve tried to keep things to a cap of about $25. There are exceptions, of course, but I don’t want to blow my entire gift budget on stocking stuffers so I do try to keep it in check.

All images below from the accompanying sites linked to in the descriptions.
Some of the gift ideas below use affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on a link and buy that product.

All Sorts of Stocking Stuffer Options

My favorite mascara (20% off today!): I am a new convert to this mascara, even though it is a lot more than what I like to spend on mascara. It makes my lashes look great AND it comes off very easily.

Jojoba carrier oil: This is kind of a niche thing, but my husband has gotten really into fragrances and I wanted to get him a fragrance-related stocking stuffer, so I got him a set of essential oil / perfume rollers and some carrier oil so he can make his own perfume rollers to travel with or give to friends.

Warheads: Carla is very into everything sour, as was I when I was her age, and these will please her very much.

Hair tinsel: A couple of friends’ kids have hair tinsel, and it’s adorable and fun and I think my kid would like it a lot.

Morf fidget worm: Carla already has this weird shape-shifting fidget toy, but she loves it and I think anyone who has busy hands would really enjoy fiddling with it.

Hair wax stick: I keep seeing this kind of thing on Instagram reels about sleek up-do hairstyles and I want some and think Carla would enjoy some as well.

Nail strengthening cream: My nails get extra brittle during the winter months and I am all about some nice-smelling cream to make them a little tougher.

Avocado hand warmers: These are cute AND practical – my favorite combo!

Press on nails (no glue): Carla is OBSESSED with fake nails, much to my chagrin. But Christmas stocking are for filling with delight and I know these would delight her.

Fidget sticks: These look fun and I bet my child and cat would like playing with them.

Kitsch scrunchies: Carla is very into her hair these days, and these scrunchies are cute and have a retro appeal.

Undereye pods: I am of course Very Interested in all the red light therapy devices that are all the rage. This seems like a fun and fairly inexpensive way to try it out.

Fidget toy: This fidget toy was on Carla’s list earlier this year, but we got the Morf fidget worm instead; so why not surprise her with this one now?

World’s Smallest Throw Throw Burrito: Carla came across a display of these World’s Smallest toys when were out shopping and wanted ALL of them. I don’t blame her. This is the one I got to stick in her stocking.

Jewelry case keychain: My kiddo has one of these that she attaches to her backpack, and she keeps her earrings and necklaces in it during sports practice. It is so practical and has the added bonus of being cute!

Scented Water Wow: Gone are the days when Carla would have loved this mess-free coloring book, but I do have a neighbor whose kids are at the perfect age.

Star spoke clips: Speaking of neighbors, one of our neighbor children just learned how to ride a bike, and Carla immediately wanted to get her some of these spoke clips. I won’t be putting them in her stocking (I am not Santa and refrain from climbing around people’s chimneys), but they would make a great stocking stuffer.

Bike bell: Ditto for this cute bike bell.

Headlamp: I wonder if this fun headlamp would make me feel more comfortable with Carla out past the late late hour of four o’clock these days? Maybe not, but it might make her feel like an explorer which is a good enough reason to put it in a stocking.

Hydrating skincare (20% through 12/10): This is Carla’s favorite brand of skincare stuff, and it’s winter and everyone’s skin is scaly so it’s time to restock.

Gurrl power cat earrings: I mean, HOW cute are these?

Combination lock Air Tag holder: I was searching for a stocking stuffer for someone who likes to travel but is also constantly worried about thieves, and this lockable Air Tag holder came to my attention. It would be perfect for a bicycle or a piece of luggage or a stroller or all sorts of other things.

Purse and backpack lint catcher: Where has this been all my life, and how can I persuade Carla to use one?

Laundry pet hair remover: Um. I need this so very much.

Reusable lint remover: Speaking of things for dealing with the excessive amount of pet hair I have on my person at all times, this would be great for tucking into a purse or backpack or glove compartment.

LED workshop lights: It’s usually easy to find stocking stuffers for my kid or myself, but finding things that are inexpensive and useful and fun for my Dad is next to impossible. I am not sure these would fit in a stocking, but the price is close enough, and they would definitely be useful!

Jane Austen stickers: I love these.

Candy cane crunch bar: I discovered this chocolate company over the summer and it is FABULOUS. This sounds both festive and tasty!

Coffee paste: Not being a coffee drinker, I can’t tell if this would be actually good… but I think it would be so fun for a coffee fan who also likes to travel or camp.

Big dill energy sticker: My pickle-loving kid would find this so hilarious.

Pizza cutter wheel: One of the things my parents requested for Christmas was some tools for pizza making, so we are absolutely getting them a pizza slicer.

Keto pizza crust mix: This pizza crust would be perfect for the low-carb pizza lover. I am kind of curious to see how it tastes!

Croissant stress ball: Yes, yes, croissants were last year’s thing, but my kid still loves croissants and this is cute.

Croissant hair clip: Another perfect stocking stuffer for the croissant lover!

Eyeshadow palette (20% off through 12/10): I’m not a big makeup wearer, but I love these colors.

Penguin bandages: Who couldn’t use some darling bandages? Let’s put the woo! back in wound care!

Bluetooth transmitter / receiver for AirPods: This would be great for the avid traveler… or for someone who has a lot of long-haul flights coming up.

Magnesium oil spray: I am always on the lookout for things to help me sleep, and this sounds promising.

Giant paper clips: Do I need these? No. Do I want them. Oh yes.

Capybara stress balls: I have to admit that I don’t really get the whole obsession with capybara – they are giant rodents, folks – but my kid thinks they are adorable, so these capybara stress balls caught my eye.

Carbide scribe: My dad does a lot of stained glass projects and this would be great for signing them.

Eye gels: This is one of those items that I always gravitate toward. The search for the product that will transform my undereyes is endless.

Milk frother: As part of my ongoing effort to get Carla to consume more protein and calcium, I am always happy to make her a big mug of hot chocolate (with high protein milk). She would enjoy this milk frother to give her cocoa a little body.

Fancy hot chocolate mix: We’re Swiss Miss people, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up with a fancy cocoa mix.

Snowflake marshmallows: And fancy marshmallows are always a good bet.

Flexible magnetic claw grabber: I wonder if my dad could use this in his garage? It seems useful!

Flathead cherry and balsamic caramels: I WANT TO EAT ALL OF THESE.

Bombas dog socks: I love Bombas socks and I am very pleased by the little pups featured on these ones. Dogs for your dogs, if you will.

Rachel’s English trifle tea towel: “It tastes like feet!” is one of my all-time favorite lines from Friends. It would be so fun to have this annual opportunity to say it in my best Ross Geller voice.

Fidget ring: I don’t necessarily get the appeal of fidget toys, but as a person who is constantly fiddling with her wedding rings, I do understand why a fidget ring would be tempting.

No-tie shoelaces: I feel like shoelaces are a great option for a stocking, and I like the idea of this no-tie version.

Seed lollipop: I’m always looking for fun gardening related gifts, and I love the idea of these seed “lollipops” that can be planted. These culinary lollipops have a selection of seeds, like basil, tomato, and fennel for pizza night.

Pollinator kit: Or, for the budding gardener, these pollinator kits come with seeds and a little craft project!

Tree kit: I also LOVE this “grow your own Christmas tree” kit – and every kit purchased comes with a matching tree donation.

Huckleberry preserves: I love huckleberries, and I love giving (and getting) jam in my stocking.

Dorothy calendar: Dorothy Zbornak of Golden Girls fame is herself a gift and I love this calendar of her many faces. I possess many of these same expressions, even if I can’t deploy them with quite as much vigor.

Mechanic hourly rate sign: My dad isn’t technically a mechanic, even though he is our family’s resident car guy, but this sign cracks me up anyway.

Satin bonnet: I love the idea of a satin pillow, but I think I like the idea of a satin bonnet even more!

Tote bag: Listen, I do not need another tote bag, but I CANNOT QUIT THEM. They are so useful and there are so many fun options.

Lip balm minis: This is a lot more than I like to spend on a stocking stuffer, but a) it can split up among several stockings and b) I have it on good authority that this is the It Balm among the middle school set.

Studious cats bookmark: Books and cats: nature’s perfect pairing.

Custom Owala water bottle nametag: We are getting Carla an Owala for Christmas, and we’re getting it engraved with her name, but this water bottle nametag would be an excellent alternative.

Watercolor postcards: I love the idea of these paintable postcards!

Spice and cookie set: The names of these spice mixes alone make me want to buy them, not to mention the fact that I can use them to make cookies.

Moisturizing gloves: This was on my sister-in-law’s wish list, and this set has enough pairs of gloves to spread around among all the women whose stockings I need to fill.

Croissant chocolate bar: I have never heard of a chocolate bar that has pieces of croissant in it, but I’m really glad I have now.

Make It Mini diner set: My kid has really kind of outgrown toys by this point (sob!), but she still loves the Miniverse blind balls. How can I not get her one??

Butterfly hair claw: This is so pretty!

Capybara pens: As I mentioned earlier, capybara are having a moment, and pens always come in handy.

Cateye stamp: Carla would LOVE THIS. So would I, if I had anywhere requiring Fancy Makeup.

Sour Swedish candy mix: Speaking of things Carla would love – actually, our whole family would love this mix. (I didn’t get the memo, but apparently Swedish candy is all the rage these days?)

Zodiac nail stickers: I got such a wave of nostalgia when I came across these! I used to love nail stickers, but haven’t tried them for… thirty years, I bet. Maybe more.

Temporary tattoos: I also kind of love these holiday-themed temporary tattoos. They are so simple, I kind of want to try them on myself?

Uno No Mercy: This was on Carla’s wish list and I like the idea of an upgraded version of a classic game.

Bacon taster: I love to put sweet treats in people’s stockings, but some of my family members prefer savory things. I am totally intrigued by this bacon taster, which seems to be a single strip of bacon in a package that supposedly tastes just like bacon at breakfast. I don’t know how that’s possible but I feel the need to find out.

Spicy peanuts: Peanuts make another great non-sweet treat, and this brand has the added benefit of being sugar free.

Spicy buffalo peanuts: These spicy peanuts also sound yummy! And they are “artisan” which maybe makes them feel slightly more gift-worthy??? (Why yes, I do overthink everything.)

Light-up door hanger: I think my kid would LOVE to have a way to leave us messages about when and how to contact her once she’s holed up in her room.

Cocofloss refillable mint floss: Practical gifts like oral hygiene items most definitely belong in a stocking, especially when they are a little more fun / fancier than the norm. I am also intrigued by the idea that this floss is refillable.

Vermont weather stick: This looks so silly but also kind of fun?

Friends notepad: Super nostalgic. I love the quote at the top and I want to get this for my Friends-loving bestie very much.

Holiday spice tea: I love tea, but I’m always a little wary of trying a NEW tea, so it would be fun to get a sampler size that allows for tasting without a big commitment.

Heatless hair curler: I swear I asked for and received something similar to this a few years ago, but this is a much better price… and I wonder if Carla would use it?

Hair wax: I’m pretty sure this list already contains a hair wax, but I like the name of this one and I have no idea which brand is better, so I’m including this one, too.

Book of foreign swear words: I feel like this would be a delightful stocking stuffer for the right kind of person.

Odd-size measuring spoons: I have wanted a set of these for SO long – how nice would it be to scoop out exactly two teaspoons in one go?! While we’re at it, I love that King Arthur also sells a “spare measuring spoons” set. PERFECT stocking stuffer.

Snoopy towel: I adore Snoopy.

Chocolate sea salt cookies: YUM.

Sticker by number book: I’m not a HUGE fan of giving Christmas stuff for Christmas, but then again it can be nice to have a Christmassy craft or project to do on Christmas Day, in that lull between opening gifts and eating dinner.

Mini jigsaw puzzle: This 100-piece puzzle is in the same vein: something Christmassy but small enough to complete on Christmas Day.

Sandwich staples: My husband LOVES British food and I think he would be excited to try two of the three sandwich accoutrements in this little gift set. The mustard would be mine, all mine.

Champagne stopper: Speaking of things that would be all mine, I am really the only person in my household who enjoys a glass of bubbly. Usually Kirkland’s finest prosecco, if we’re being honest – you can’t go wrong with $9 prosecco. But I don’t drink an entire bottle in one go and my method of putting a bit of aluminum foil on the bottle while it waits for me in the fridge is… not great. So a specific Champagne stopper would be very useful, is what I’m saying! Is it weird to stop up $9 wine with an $18 stopper? Don’t know, don’t care.

Frank Lloyd Wright playing cards: I love how colorful and fun these are! Birchie – do you need these?

Cheese calendar: YES PLEASE.

Cheese socks: There’s nothing quite so meta as stuffing stockings in a stocking, but these cheese socks are kind of irresistible.

Cheese socks seems like a good note to end on, so I’ll stop there. Hopefully all this fake shopping has resolved my stocking stuffer syndrome symptoms, and yours, too, if you suffer similarly.

What are your favorite things to give / receive in stockings? Did you get an orange in your stocking every Christmas? I’m pretty sure I did, and, well, I haven’t carried on that tradition with my own family. Probably because I don’t understand its origin. If you do, please enlighten me.