Small Yet Mighty: Creative Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Christmas

Searching through a decorative stocking hung by the fireplace on Christmas morning to discover the treasures that lie within is a time-honored tradition. Fortunately, the Southern Christmas Show has an abundance of smaller gift options to choose from when you’re looking for unique presents to slip into a stocking. This year’s theme is Santa’s Workshop, and our vendors (or are they Santa’s elves in disguise?) have created eye-catching displays full of one-of-a-kind wares for you to enjoy. Discover the ideal gift for everyone on your list and embrace the spirit of giving this season. Here are a few stocking stuffer ideas we can’t get enough of from this year’s show: 

For the One with a Sweet Tooth: For a tasty, handmade and gourmet treat kids and adults alike are sure to love, stop by Apples Gone Wild at Booth 2550. Owners Scott Money and Earl Fields make their homemade caramel using the same original recipe that started the brand a decade ago in Tennessee. They opt for crisp, fresh Granny Smith apples and specialize in more than 25 flavors for them, including white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate dips with toppings like fruit, nuts and candy. Several of the flavors are also gluten-free for those with sensitivities. Each apple is truly a work of art, individually wrapped, hand-dipped and topped with decadent flavors sure to make you feel festive.

When choosing which apple to buy, you’ll be debating between mouth-watering options like White Chocolate Apple Strudel, Milk Chocolate Pecan, Banana Puddin’, Dark Chocolate Espresso, Peppermint Bark and Pumpkin Spice. Every Apples Gone Wild creation is crafted with care, so they turn out as special as the person receiving it.

For the Pickleball Player: Pickleball fever has been sweeping the nation, and this year’s show will feature a shop completely devoted to the sport. If there’s nothing your friend, loved one, neighbor or coworker enjoys more than the popping sound of a pickleball hitting a racket, they’re going to adore a gift from Dink to the Brink at Booth 24 in Olde Towne. The shop carries a wide collection of everything you could think of to get in the athletic spirit. Several options would make a great stocking stuffer such as a graphic T-shirt, skort, earrings, bracelets and necklaces, vibrant socks, hats, charms, hair accessories, tumblers, stickers, colorful zip pouches, and car decals. Appreciate the sport off the court and inside your home with needlepoint ornaments, mugs, magnets, kitchen towels, napkins, and décor.

For those with larger stockings, rolling up a new paddle cover or pickleball bag to really surprise someone is a nice touch. Owner Corinne Moroney calls her brand “the ultimate destination for pickleball lovers” whether they’re “perfecting their third shot drop or just soaking up the courtside vibes.” Each product radiates positivity, humor and community spirit, and many are exclusive and handmade! For those with a creative flair, you can personalize and embellish your own jewelry, hats, cellphones, paddle covers and more at the booth.  But that’s not all! Dink to the Brink will also be selling an assortment of gifts for those who adore tennis, golf, mahjong, cornhole, bingo, bunko, poker and billiards, too!

For the Craft Cocktail Aficionado: Sipping a tasty, holiday cocktail while catching up with friends and family beside a blazing fire is something many people look forward to all year long. Fortunately, Meliora Forever, a woman-owned small business at Booth 2316, has made this tradition even sweeter with their instant cocktail cubes. Owner Jessica Stephens formerly worked as an environmental scientist. Yet during the pandemic, she got the idea to make instant cocktail cubes while sipping an authentic Old Fashioned with demerara sugar and orange. Today, the business is a creative outlet she loves!

Her clever invention comes in an assortment of holiday flavors such as Mulled Cider, Hot Toddy, Butter Rum, Sugar Plum, Frosted Berries and Holiday Mimosa. You can even sip a glass of Christmas itself, which contains hints of black walnut, amaretto and cherries. Meliora in Latin means “the pursuit of betterment,” and Stephens said it fits the company’s philosophy to always be improving. All products are made in-house in small batches and The brand infuses each cube with only the best bitters, fruits and natural flavors to be delicious yet not overly sweet.. It doesn’t matter if your gift recipient prefers chocolate martinis or whisky, vodka, champagne, gin, rum or tequila because there’s something for everyone’s palate. and the instructions are always included on the packaging to ensure a delightful artisan cocktail is the end result each time. Plus, since the cubes themselves contain no alcohol, they can also be used in mocktails. Instant Cocktail Cubes are an ideal gift for a holiday party host or for an exciting game of White Elephant

.

For the Dog Lover: The Pets Table at Booth 3619 understands that dogs don’t just need food, they require true nutrition to thrive. That’s why they partnered with HelloFresh to craft personalized dog food that’s veterinarian-approved to keep pets healthy.

While the gift of a meal subscription is sure to keep our furry friends delighting in a culinary masterpiece that is delicious and healthy, it also provides pet parents with peace of mind.  In addition to a personalized meal plan for our best friend that pleases even the pickiest of eaters, it also saves parents time making food, so everyone is happy! All fresh foods are made with human-grade ingredients, made in the U.S.A, and do not include any fillers or preservatives. The best part of this service is there is a risk-free guarantee. Your loved one will be sent a trial box with two weeks of food to make sure his or her dog gives it two paws up.

Be sure to check out our Virtual Vendor List to find gifts from your favorite artisans all year long. We look forward to sharing the joy of the season with you soon at the Southern Christmas Show!