I absolutely love hunting for the perfect gift for everyone on my list, and when people in turn ask me what I’d like I always say to get me a “stocking”, I have so much more fun opening up a stocking full of small little gifts and it really reminds me of fond memories from when I was a kid. My mom always put my stocking at the bottom of my bed late at night and as morning came I would slowly poke my toe down to the edge of my bed and feel the weight of a full stocking! Thinking back I realize she likely did this to buy herself a bit more sleep-in time, but I sure enjoyed waking up to that special surprise. My mom was awesome about filling my stocking with fun, interactive toys and goodies, to this day she still fills a stocking for me.
Now with a 4 year old of my own, I know the challenge to find fun things to stuff in that stocking, and often times we go with what we know. If we’re buying things at a store for mom, dad, grandma or grandpa, it makes sense to grab something while we are there for our kids right? The BCLC would like to remind you that Some Gifts Just Aren’t Meant For Kids. We are guilty of having shared some “fun” scratch ticket moments with Alivia, she just loved scratching everything off and since she couldn’t “read” we saw no danger in it, however we’ve since learned that by giving children scratch tickets at a young age and introducing them to gambling it can actually lead to long-term gambling problems well into adulthood. What we may think is innocent, really isn’t. We’re happy to share our top 10 frugal stocking stuffer ideas, as well as an important message from the BCLC, please give responsibly.
We know it’s tricky to fill those little stockings on a budget but I can promise you – it is possibe! We have a list of our top 10 frugal stocking stuffer ideas to help you get started and most of these items can be found at your local dollar store, making filling (and sometime overfilling!) those little stockings a bit easier:
- Fun stickers, points if they come with a sticker book
- Silly pens and notebooks
- Bubble bath and a fun bath poofy
- Toy cars, trucks or small dolls
- Character cups, our fave are the Frozen ones and for $1.. you can’to go wrong
- Holiday themed socks
- Silly putty or play-doh
- CANDY, the more themed the better… think Christmas Pez and Lifesaver books
- Books or magazines for the older kids
- Toothbrushes, either electric or regular. Our kids look forward to the electric ones Santa brings each year (and plus side.. they brush all that candy away right away!)
As Christmas approaches, the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has launched its annual holiday campaign reminding shoppers to think twice about whose stocking they might be stuffing. Most people, myself included – absolutely love getting lottery tickets, including Scratch & Wins, as a gift, especially if they win! And while scratching a ticket in hopes of a prize definitely feels like child’s play, BCLC would like to remind you they are anything but – lottery tickets are still a form of gambling and shouldn’t be given to kids under 19.
Research has shown that many adults with gambling problems report having started gambling at a very early age, some as young as 10 years old. Of the many risks factors associated with problem gambling, introducing gambling at a young age is one of the most significant and has the most lasting effects.
So the next time you pop by your local lotto retailer for a few last minute gifts, remember to keep the (underage) kids in your life off that particular list.
BCLC encourages parents to visit www.gamesense.ca to learn more about the comprehensive programs to help players make informed choices about gambling. BCLC also encourages parents and other adults to access our GameSense for Parents program which gives parents tools and supports to start a conversation with kids about gambling.
The BC Lottery Corporation wants to help you fill those stockings to the brim with a $50 Indigo Gift Card to get you started! Enter below. Good luck!
{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, we were compensated for sharing this information with you. However, we firmly believe in this message. Please give responsibly!}
