Finish Your Shopping Today: 15 Stocking Stuffers Under $15

In an bout of productivity, I've been buying my Christmas gifts early--mainly because my DGF and I have to buy gifts for people we don't know super well (my brother's in-laws and their family).  They're doing a "stocking exchange," meaning that everyone puts a small gift into everyone else's stocking.

The upshot?  I'm turning into a semi-pro stocking stuffer. I figured sharing my ideas might save you some time finding cool gifts.  So forget the bubble bath and candy canes and check out these ideas.  My categories are food, practical, and fun.  All are under $15 (and most are under $10!).

5 Edible Stocking Stuffers
Who likes food?  Answer: everyone.  If you're strapped for cash and short on ideas, here are five sweet and savory selections.

#1: Bacon chocolate bars are sooo 2011.  Update your bacon-lover's stocking with this $8 bacon-maple-salt caramel.  What's not to love?

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#2: My main question is: how could you not buy a seasoning called Bad Byron's Butt Rub?  $7.09 for a small bottle.

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#3: Everything imported from France is vaguely classy and expensive, right?  This 5-star mango lime ginger jam by L'Epicurien is no exception.  There are several other flavors, most around $8-14.  These include confit of rose petals (edible?), banana flambee jam (how do they light a fire in that tiny jar?), and confit d'ananas au poivre de penja (whatever that is).

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#4: I'm a serious coffee drinker, and buy mine on Go Coffee Go.  They select some of the best roasters in the country, often have free shipping deals, and send your coffee within days of roasting.  Two of my favorites are 1000 Faces and especially Klatch.

#5: Flavored bitters are a terrific gift for any semi-adventurous cocktail lover: brothers, aunts, fathers-in-law, friends--you name it.  Bitters are versatile mixers that come in an astounding array of flavors, including orange, celery, black walnut, peach, rhubarb, and chocolate.

5 Practical Stocking Stuffers
Sometimes the most commonsense gifts are the ones we overlook.  For the more practical recipients on your list, check out these five ideas.

#1: At $5.90, Foot Rubz are one of the best personal massage tools around (not that kind of massage tool--get your minds out of the gutter, kids).  While you're at it, pick one up for yourself, too.  I did, and my feet are grateful.  A related idea: a scalp massager.

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#2: These Panasonic ear buds come in purple, orange, blue, green, black, white, grey, and pink.  They've been rated 4.5 stars by over 1500 users, and somewhat amazingly, are under $6.  Or try these Coby ear buds for about the same price.

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#3: Whether you're buying for a teen going off to college or a grandma who likes to hike, you can't go wrong with multi-tools--but they've got to be well-made.  Some of my favorites under $15 are this multi-tool micro tool box (pictured right, top) this 6-in-1 camping tool, and this classic swiss army knife (pictured right, bottom).  An emergency fire starter's not a bad idea, either.

#4: Chico bags are great for groceries, books, or stashing sweaty gym clothes.  You can never have too many.  They're machine-washable, come in eight colors, and you can get a 4-pack for $21.  If you're looking for something more distinctive these are similar and have designs on 'em.

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#5: You can get a colorful watch for under $15.  Even if they don't wear it every day, they'll have fun changing it up.  Check out this iron samurai watch, this lime green Timex, and this red Crow Sprout.

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5 Fun and Frivolous Stocking Stuffers
These are great gifts for kids, people in their 20s, or anyone who you think would appreciate something kind of colorful/fun/frivolous.

#1: Astronaut ice cream!  Fun and unexpected.  You can pick up a 10-pack for $22.25, or singles for $5, or... a whole astronaut food sampler.

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#2: Uuum, did you know that you can get temporary tattoos custom-made??  I didn't, and these are rad!  Several companies that do it, including Imprint and Print Globe.

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#3: Got a bored smartie in your family?  Check out this alternative cube puzzle (pictured right).  Not only does it get ridiculously high ratings, but it's marked down 74% right now.

#4: Gender-neutral soap.  The awesomeness is self-evident.  $9.50.

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#5:
Fact #1: I am a dork. 
Fact #2: So are some of the people you know. 
Fact #3: The idea of playing Scrabble on your fridge is awesome, especially for $12.98.

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