Here’s what I know for sure about the month of November: Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of the month and The Container Store Stocking Stuffer catalog is going to be delivered to my doorstep!
I’m lucky to live a short drive away from The Container Store in Paramus, New Jersey. I can do more than just drool over the catalog–I get the chance to see, feel, and experience these Stocking Stuffers at the store.
Since researching for the post I wrote back in 2016, I’ve come to see that the Container Store Stocking Stuffers are less about organizing and more about cute, kitchy, helpful, and the borderline absurd. So, for the season I just roll with it. The Container Store will get back to focusing on organizing products in January and so will I…
For the 2019 edition, I’ve divided the Stocking Stuffers into four categories: Organizing, Functional, Fun, and Why? Just Why?. Grab a pad and a pen–one or more of these may work as stocking stuffers for your family and friends!
Organizing
Sombrero Taco Holders
$7.99/pkg. of 4
Taco Tuesday (or tacos any day of the week) is BIG in my house–my nine year old loves them! But, it isn’t always easy stuffing them and keeping them from breaking or imploding. These holders make filling, serving, and eating tacos easy. They are dishwasher-safe and stack one inside the other (how organized!). And cute packaging, too–always a nice perk when giving a gift. I’m going to be buying these and trying them out at my dinner table. They come in red, blue, green and pink–with my husband and two boys in the house, I’ll probably be asked to use the pink one…
Umbra Ring Holders
$7.99 each
A basic organizing principle I teach my clients is, ‘Give Everything a Home.’ A ring usually lives on one’s finger but if it’s nighttime, wash-the-dishes time, or let’s-make-meatballs time, you’re going to want to take it off and have a temporary home for that ring so you’ll know where it is when it’s time to put it back on your finger. The Umbra Ring Holder comes in Llama, French Bulldog, and the ever-popular Unicorn. I’m partial to the Llama–great especially if you wear multiple rings. Maybe they should have made a giraffe?
Functional
OXO Good Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush
$5.99
I ‘heart’ the OXO company. They make products that are ergonomically comfortable, sturdy, and make people’s lives easier. If someone you know eats at their computer often or their keyboard is a dust magnet, this cleaning brush would probably be well received in a stocking. Looking at my keyboard (and knowing how often I eat in front of it), it wouldn’t be a bad idea if I got one for myself!
Fun
Donut Screen Cleaning Cloth
$2.99
So cute! Makes me hungry just looking at it! Perfect for all ages but I think kids (and adults) wouldn’t mind cleaning their glasses or phones if they had a cloth like this to do it with. Also comes in Pepperoni Pizza, Cinnamon Roll, and Lemon Slice.
Animal Cable Bites
$5.99 each
No more frayed charging cables! They fit over a cord plug in the exact place where charger cables can show wear and tear. Works with iPhones lightning cables for iPhone 5 or later. They’re all cute but I’m partial to the bug-eyed chameleon…
Wine Toppers
$7.99/pkg. of 2
Even though I’m allergic to wine, I do serve it and cook with it–I would definitely use these in my home. They come in handy for entertaining and for BYOB restaurant dinners. Made of easy-to-clean and easy-to-stretch silicone with witty wine-related messages written on the top. Know someone who likes to drink wine? I think you’ve found a stocking stuffer for them! Definitely an over 21+ kinda stocking stuffer…
Scratch and Scribble Art Kit
$7.99
Great for car rides or to keep in a purse or back pack for when the kids are getting antsy–this will keep them occupied. Recommended for ages six and older. There’s a wooden stick with a sharp end included. If you know your child can be trusted with it–great. If they’d prefer to use it as a weapon against a sibling or playmate, perhaps this isn’t the best stocking stuffer for them…
Unicorn Shower Cap
$7.99
If someone you know likes unicorns and has to keep their hair dry in the shower sometimes, this is the stocking stuffer to get them. Comes in Flamingo and Duck styles, too. The last time I mentioned a shower cap in one of my stocking stuffer roundup posts was back in 2013–way before the resurgence of the unicorn’s popularity. Can you guess what animal appears on it? Check here to see if you guessed correctly!
Why? Just Why?
Sudski Shower Beer Can Holder/Wine Glass Holder
$14.99
I don’t think I’ve ever had the thought while I’m showering, “Boy, am I thirsty! I wish I had a drink in here.” But, for those of you with a quench for more than just water while getting yourself clean, this would make a good stocking stuffer. As the description states, PLEASE use cans or plastic–do not use with a drinking glass made of glass!
2 oz. Poo-Pourri Sprayers
$9.99 each
Can someone tell me why these make a good stocking stuffer? What message does this send to the recipient? Just because they’re small does NOT mean they should make an appearance in anyone’s stocking at holiday time–IMHO. They’re 2 oz so they work well for travel–keep one in your toiletries bag and pack it for your next trip. These sprayers got a bunch of 5-star reviews so they must work but please–don’t give it as a gift unless you know the person really wants it. Please...
The rest of the Container Store’s Stocking Stuffer Collection can be found on their website. With 146 to choose from, there’s bound to be something for everyone on your shopping list. Happy shopping!
Which one of this year’s stocking stuffers is your favorite?
Stacey is a Professional Organizer, Virtual Organizer, and Author in Bergen County, New Jersey specializing in home organizing, time, and paper management. She is the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook: Let Systems and 101 Modern Sample Thank You Notes Take You From Overwhelmed to Organized.
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I admit, I did some Container Store stocking stuffer shopping last week. I didn’t pick up any of the ones you mentioned but I did get some interesting and useful items. I love that their stocking gifts are usually helpful in some way and not too expensive.
You’ve beat me to the store! I was hoping to get there before Thanksgiving but I think my visit will have to wait until afterwards. I, too like the fact that you can get a stocking stuffer as low as $2.99 and many of them are under $10. Thanks for sharing!
Stocking stuffers are so much fun, and this is a great collection! I think I would love receiving that little brush to clean up my keyboard. The animal attachments for the cords are also super:)
If you’d like me to give your stocking stuffers *favorites* list to Santa, let me know. I think he receives a lot of deliveries from The Container Store!
Love shopping The Container Store stocking stuffer section. I’ve never seen the Sombrero Taco Holders. I might have to get them. And the Animal Cable Bits and Wine Toppers are a nice gift as well. Thanks for the list. Now I know what to look for next time I’m there.
So glad I could narrow down some stocking stuffer choices for you–happy shopping!
Those ring holders and the donut cleaning cloths are cute and functional! I agree with you about the poo-pouri, I don’t know why those would make a good stocking stuffer, unless it is meant as a joke!
Right? It feel like marketing people will do just about anything to sell something small as a stocking stuffer! Save the poo-pourri for a gag gift–not for the holidays…
I love your annual review of the lastest Container Store stocking stuffers. You write such fabulous and fun descriptions! I agree with your “Why? Just Why?” category of items. They are so strange and makes me wonder who would give them as gifts, let alone appreciate receiving them. I have an “Aqua Notes” pad in my shower, which I have given as a gift, but that’s different from a beer or wine holder. Yikes!
My two favorites are the donut cloth (Not sure if I want to eat it or use it?) and the Oxo keyboard cleaning brush. Like you, I’m guilty as charged and eat and drink hot beverages way too frequently at my keyboard.
It’s funny, but just last week I passed the White Plains Container Store and noticed the “stocking stuffers” sign. I almost stopped because like you, I enjoy seeing what they come up with. But I didn’t have time. So I especially appreciate your review of your top picks. And now, I might just HAVE to make time to see these in person. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words, Linda. I love the donut cloth, too. I think I’m going to one pick one up for myself and get the pepperoni pizza one for my son who wears glasses. If you have time, take a ride over toe The Container Store in White Plains–it’s always interesting and amusing to visit the stocking stuffer section of the store this time of year.
I enjoy this yearly feature on your blog! I don’t eat at my desk anymore, but I would still like one of those keyboard brushes.
Thanks, Janet. I’m glad you enjoy it–I really enjoy compiling the list. Normally, I don’t purchase any of the stocking stuffers but this year I think I’m going to pick up a few for myself and my family. Taco night in our house won’t be the same after I buy those Sombrero taco holders!
My husband doesn’t like tacos. :O I know, right?