I’ve been writing an annual Container Store Stocking Stuffers post on and off since 2013. Years ago, I created the title for this blog post series because I truly loved the idea of The Container Store showcasing cute, fun, and original organizing and not-organizing related products that one could place in a holiday stocking. What a concept! I hope the Container Store employee who thought of that idea got a raise and a promotion.
This year, the post’s title does not reflect my feelings about the collection. I’ll be honest–I am disappointed by the 2023 selection of Stocking Stuffers. There are 141 Stocking Stuffers this year and barely any of them can be considered organizing products. The selections have gotten more expensive, too.
I took a look back at some of my past stocking stuffer blog posts to discover that I felt similarly with the 2016 collection. Not only did it lack organizing products, it was also the first year that Poo-Pourri was introduced as a stocking stuffer. That was enough for me to consider throwing in the towel when it came to writing about this group of products. (No offense to those who use poo-pourri–I don’t think it should be considered a ‘gift.’ That’s just how Momma raised me…)
I’m not emailing a complaint to the CEO, but if I did, it would be as simple as this…
Dear Container Store,
I’m a little miffed about the lack of organizing products on your 2023 Stocking Stuffer list. I was looking forward to showcasing them in my annual blog post titled, ‘I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers.’
Please add some organizing-related products back to your future Stocking Stuffer collections. You and I both know that they exist. You have half a year to find them and get some ready for 2024.
Looking forward to seeing what your Stocking Stuffer team selects!
Sincerely,
Stacey Agin Murray
Professional Organizer
Organized Artistry, LLC
Thanks for listening. I’m feeling a bit better now.
Despite the letdown, I decided to wade through the 141 items and find a few that made me smile. The categories I’m featuring this year are: Fun, Artsy, and Organizing.
Fun
There’s always a few fun/funny stocking stuffers that catch my eye. Here are three of them…
Adulting is Hard Anecdote Pencils – package of 7
$6.49
Growing up, pencils were kinda boring. They were mostly golden colored. Now you can find pencils with cartoon characters, holiday designs, different colors, and yes–funny sayings. My personal favorite anecdote on these pencils is, “Too old for Snapchat, too young for Life Alert.” In addition to the Adulting pencils, there are two other sets– ‘Bring Me More Cats’ and ‘Pet All the Dogs.’ And they come pre-sharpened so you can get ‘write’ down to writing!
Crack a Smile Breakfast Egg & Pancake Mold
$11.99
Who couldn’t use a smile–especially in the morning? I feel it’s kind of pricey for a piece of plastic but if it’s going to make you happy and brighten up your day, then it’s worth every penny. And it’s microwave and dishwasher safe–cooking and clean-up just got easier.
Tabletop Cornhole
$19.99
Cornhole is all the rage lately. Mostly played outside, the boards can be heavy and a challenge to move and store away if you do not live in an all-year-round warm climate. If you don’t have the room to store a traditional corn hole set, try this one. Perfect for indoor fun!
Are you intrigued? To learn more about this fun game and be able to watch tournaments live or on YouTube, head to the website of the American Cornhole Association. I’m not joking–it’s a thing.
Artsy
The amount of Container Store Stocking Stuffers that fit this category has grown over the past few years. Out of 141 products, I counted twenty as ‘artsy.’ That’s approximately 15% of the stocking stuffers!
The ‘artsy’ products range from coloring implements to art kits. Below are two that stood out to me and my inner (and former outer) child…
Lite-Brite Mini
$14.99
When I saw the Lite Brite Mini I got very excited. You see, I always wanted a Lite Brite. But, my parents did not allow it because of all the pieces it came with. That, plus apartment living, plus having a younger brother and sister who could possible eat those colored pegs made owning the Lite Brite a pipe dream.
The original Lite-Brite was produced in 1967 and came with close to 400 plastic pegs in eight colors. Future models had about 200-300 pegs depending upon what set you purchased–still too many for my parent’s liking.
So, I played with it at my friend’s house and despite being deprived of a personal Lite Brite, I went on to become an Art major in college.
Ooly Yummy Yummy Scented Glitter gel Pens – Set of 12
$12.99
Speaking of being an art major, I don’t know anyone interested in creating art that isn’t dazzled by a set of cool pens. When I saw these I smiled and thought about buying them for myself as an adult! In the description, it says, “Create a sparkling look every time you write and draw with these fun pens.” In my mind, these would totally be ‘at-home’ pens. Because if you brought them to school or to work everyone would want to use them, teachers might not appreciate the smell, and I know I’d be doodling (and sniffing) instead of taking notes or getting my work done.
Of all the items, I may have to splurge on these pens for myself. Getting the Lite Brite Mini isn’t off the table, either. At least my parents wouldn’t have to worry–my kids are old enough to know not to eat the pegs…
Organizing
As I scrolled though the pages of stocking stuffers, I was surprised at how few helped people get organized. But, happily, I found one organizing product I’d want to share.
Stackers Petite Travel Jewelry Box
$19.99
This travel jewelry box is so teeny-tiny! It’s not for someone who loves to wear jewelry and pack coordinating necklaces on a week-long trip. This would be useful to carry in a handbag or back pack if you had to remove jewelry before exercising or using your hands for work. Or, if you keep it simple when it comes to jewelry, this item would easily keep your everyday rings, earrings, and necklace safe and portable.
The rest of the Container Store Stocking Stuffer 2023 collection can be found on their website. Despite the lack of organizing products, there are plenty of items that will make you or someone else smile at holiday time.
I’m just thrilled The Container Store finally took Poo-pourri off the stocking stuffer list… Happy Holidays!
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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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This is so funny, Stacey. I visited The Container Store a few weeks ago, saw their stocker stuffer collection, and thought about you and your annual post. I was looking forward to reading it. I was surprised to read what you wrote about being disappointed with their 2023 collection. But I know what you mean—this year had more doo-dads and fewer organizing products.
Nonetheless, your post is terrific! I love your featured items, especially the fun pencils, Lite-Brite Mini, and the travel jewelry box. I noticed the pencils at the store but missed the other two.
Thanks for thinking of me and my annual post, Linda! I’m still considering getting the Lite Brite and those smelly glitter pens–I’m not sure if I can resist them. Every year I buy myself at least one of my stocking stuffer favorites. I have a gift card–maybe I’ll splurge and get both!
I love stocking stuffers, and these are certainly fun. Agreed that they aren’t so organizing related, although the mini jewelry stacker fits the bill. That is very cute, and perfect for a weekend trip.
I personally would enjoy the pencils. I still like pencils LOL, and these are really funny. Plus, pencils declutter themselves by getting too small to use.
You’re right–I never thought about how pencils eventually de-clutter themselves!
Honestly, you have become synonymous with stocking stuffers in my mind; every year, I look forward to your posts, but this year I took a sneak peek at The Container Store’s site. (I usually wait for your opinion before making my own.) I was also disappointed, but curious to see what you’d do with what was available.
I have to admit, I am also tempted by the LIteBrite, though probably not enough to acquire it for myself. Still, I enjoyed considering it. And the mini jewelry box seems like the perfect way to bring your “nighttime” jewelry with you to work when you have a party to attend after work hours and won’t make it home in between. Definitely beats putting your jewelry in the change compartment of your wallet!
Here’s hoping TCS pays attenton and beefs up the offerings for next year! Thanks for keeping the tradition alive!
That Lite Brite! I think it’s a generational/nostalgia thing in petite form. I’m still considering it–and those glitter pens, too.
And, I have also been known to put jewelry in the change compartment of my wallet! It’s a good place for fortune cookie fortunes, paper clips, and oh, yeah–spare change!
I will do my best to keep the ‘tradition’ alive. I didn’t realize how many people look forward to this post every year. Everyone’s comments definitely put a smile on my face. 🙂
I agree with you on not having enough of the organizing products, but I love all the items you posted.
Thanks, Janet. I love them, too! I’m hoping next year The Container Store decides to add back more organizing products to their stocking stuffer list.