15+ Stocking Stuffers You Can Grab While Grocery Shopping

We couldn’t believe how many fun stocking stuffers you can snag in the grocery store or put in your online cart when you’re buying groceries. Two birds with one stone, people! Check out our top picks for stocking stuffers from the grocery store and save yourself some time!

This post was created in partnership with Hy-Vee Columbia.

Hy-Vee: Your One-Stop Holiday Shop

All grocery stores are not created equal. If you hang around us much, you are well aware that we are big fans of Hy-Vee for so many reasons. I mean, hello Heat and Serve Holiday Dinners! We also love the ease of online shopping with them.

Another reason we are big Hy-Vee fans? You can knock out some Christmas shopping while you are there! With so many different, well-stocked departments in the store, you can cut out an extra shopping trip and just stock up on stocking stuffers while doing your weekly grocery run. Talk about being efficient with your time!

15+ Grocery Store Stocking Stuffers

We spent an afternoon at our local Hy-Vee recently to scout out some of the best (and most affordable) stocking stuffers we could find for all ages. Make sure to read all the way to the bottom where we included additional ideas contributed by our amazing Facebook Group of readers.

1) Chapsticks & Lip Glosses

‘Tis the season for chapped lips. Grab some flavored chapsticks for your kiddos. These are usually found near the pharmacy department. Girls love the fruity flavors and boys might like a peppermint flavor or Carmex kind. I personally like Burt’s Bees!

2) Gift Cards Galore!

I don’t need to make a case for gift cards, do I? From restaurants to home improvement stores to online retailers and more, you’ll find the perfect card for every person. You can also get some major fuel savers credit when you buy gift cards at Hy-Vee. I love earning money when I am shopping! Ha!

3) Coloring Books, Word-Finds, Crossword Puzzles, or Magazines

Roll them up and tie a ribbon around them to make them extra special. This idea would work for any age!

4) Hot Chocolate Packets

There are lots of flavored hot chocolates that serve as a special treat for kiddos and adults. Make sure to snag some marshmallows while you are there. You could also do specialty teas or coffees, which you’ll find in the same aisle.

5) Bath Bombs

These are so popular right now and are the perfect size for a stocking! Hy-Vee has you covered. They have a huge display with a selection of colors and scents.

6) Gum

One of those ideas that is good for any age. We like them as a sugar-free treat, too. At a grocery store, there are so many flavors to choose from.

7) Speciality Chocolates

If there is ever an excuse to buy fancy chocolate, it’s now! They make a great stocking stuffer and at Hy-Vee there are SO many different options.

8) Fun Pens & Office Supplies

Flare pens and gel pens are fun if you have a crafty kiddo. Moms love them too! There is often a wide variety of other office and school supplies as well. Notebooks, post-its, markers and craft supplies to name a few.

9) Nail Polish & Cosmetics

We were floored by how many colors of nail polish and the abundant array of cosmetics we found at our Hy-Vee (the pic below is only part of the selection). While you’re in that area, you could also snag some hair bows, scrunchies, or other makeup items the gal in your life might like.

10) Electric Toothbrushes

Kids LOVE these! I get a different one for my kids every year. If anything makes brushing teeth a bit more fun in my house, I’m in.

11) Small Toys & Items

Oftentimes at the end of aisles, you’ll find small toys or goodies that will work great for stocking stuffers. At Hy-Vee, there was a HUGE selection of small seasonal items for almost any age!

12) Snacks

Don’t overlook the joy a good snack can bring! Sunflower seeds, gummies, white chocolate covered pretzels, trail mix, dark chocolate covered anything, etc. I almost always receive a few edible items in my stocking.

13) Dog Toys

Don’t forget the doggy toys! Your pooch will enjoy a little extra goodie on Christmas as much as your kids will. There are SO many great options to choose from.

14) Coffee

Not many adults will be disappointed to find some quality coffee stuffed in their stocking. You can choose from their locally sourced, fair trade, or name-brand options.

A Few More Ideas:

• Phone charger. You can never have too many!
• Make a “Movie Night Combo.” Bag of popcorn, movie candy, and a fun drink!
• For adults, it can be fun to do lottery scratchers. They are sold at customer service.
• $2.00 bills. Sometimes customer service will have these. Kids love them!
• Face Mask for tweens or teens.

Reader Ideas

When we asked our Thriving Home readers about grocery store stocking ideas, they had quite a bit to say! Here are some of the highlights…

Zumbar soap at Hyvee – I grabbed several bars of the frankincense and myrrh soap (thought it was appropriate ) for my extended family one year and it was the most-talked about gift.

 -Brooke M.

Our stockings come almost entirely from the grocery store: an orange in the toe, toothbrush and toothpaste, special snacks we don’t often get, KinderEggs, gift cards, little bottle of sparkling wine, beer with a silly name…

Devin L.

We always got gummy worms/fish/etc. My hubby gets black licorice (there are usually fun old fashioned varieties), beef jerky, other nuts/fun or original dried foods, and coffee…

Cheryl W.

Flavored milk straws. They should be near the Nesquick. My kids loved them when they were little, one still does!

Laura M.

Those little watercolor sets for kids, in the magazine/office supply aisle. Also word search and dot-to-dot mags for kids, logic puzzles / soduku for adults.

Diana B.

I grabbed the real glass Coke bottles with Santa on them for my son.

Erin B.

I like to do a “spa day at home” theme: Bath bombs, bath salts, lotion, face masks, lip balm, good chocolate and canned wine 

Liz M.

Make filling everyone’s stockings easier this year!

You’ve got your inspiration, right? Here’s the easy part. All you have to do is either…

1) Grab some of these ideas when you are at Hy-Vee next,

OR

2) Visit the Stocking Stuffers page to load some in your Aisles Online cart (and pick them up for free)!

Stocking stuffers done. (Check!)