When it comes to gifting, bigger isn’t always better, which is where stocking stuffers come in. However, buying the perfect stocking stuffer can still be tricky — the gift has to be small enough to fit in the stocking, but thoughtful enough to avoid the usual traps of being impractical or cliché. The right stocking stuffer also depends on how much you want to spend and the interests of your giftee.
To help you find the best small yet mighty gifts this year, I compiled stocking stuffer suggestions across budgets and categories like tech, beauty, home and more, resulting in a list of fun-sized gifts that are sure to be hit over the holidays.
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
The best stocking stuffers in 2025
Below, I gathered a list of stocking stuffers that are sure to be a hit this holiday season, using tried-and-true favorites of our NBC Select staff, along with highly-rated picks from across the web.
Our editors love the Octobuddy, which is a grippy, silicone attachment that lets your phone stick to any smooth surface, according to the brand — perfect for your giftee to record video or take selfies hands-free. NBC Select associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack uses the Octobuddy for filming videos, and says she’s currently loving the Octobuddy Popsocket for both filming and watching shows. “It’s definitely a great gift for someone that likes watching Youtube or shows on their phone,” she says. It’s compatible with iPhones, Samsungs and more, and comes with 24 suction cups for maximum grip. Each Octobuddy is also available in three sizes and 15 colors.
Touchland sanitizers have a chic design that looks great on a keychain, and have a small nozzle that dispenses sanitizer in a fine mist. They’re made with alcohol, aloe vera and radish root ferment filtrate to kill bacteria while maintaining your skin’s hydration levels, and each has a subtle scent with a correlating bright colorway. Cusack, who has a Touchland sanitizer in all of her bags, says she loves that the packaging is compact enough to fit easily into her bag’s smallest pocket. “I know that if I take out my Touchland at a restaurant, everyone at the table will be asking for a spritz,” she says. Each set comes with three sanitizers in assorted scents.
This portable Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit into a stocking but still powerful enough to run for up to seven hours on a single charge, according to the brand. It’s waterproof and dustproof, making it great for trips to the beach, picnics, camping excursions and more. It has a built-in loop for easy carrying, and you can pair it with other JBL speakers for a more immersive sound, according to the brand.
The Apple Airtag won the NBC Select Travel Award for best iOS Bluetooth tracker for its user-friendliness and sleek design. NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz says he keeps them in his work backpack, in his suitcase and even on his keys. “I use [them] for all kinds of travel,” he says. “Everything from international trips to commuting to work.” Each Airtag pairs with the Apple FindMy app to pinpoint its exact location within 30 feet, or its general map location outside of that range, according to the brand.
I love bringing along cameras for trips and special occasions, and this Fujifilm Quicksnap dual pack is one of my tried and true choices. They’re compact enough to fit into my smallest bags, and are user-friendly enough for even the most beginner of camera users. Each disposable camera comes pre-loaded with Fujicolor 400-speed film, and has a flash range of up to 10 feet, according to the brand.
Socks are a slept-on stocking stuffer in my opinion — they’re the gift everyone needs, but aren’t necessarily something you want to buy on your own. These socks from Hue have a slouchy fit that looks great with leggings, sneakers, and bare legs, and are long enough to be pulled all the way up your calves. They’re soft and cozy, and made from a 90% cotton blend, according to the brand.
A custom gift is always a heartfelt gesture, and this engraved name plate is a suitable stocking stuffer for the rising professional in your life. You can customize the text to read their name and title, and you have 13 colors, seven holders and seven accessories to choose from, according to the brand. Professionalism aside, it’s also a great custom gag gift for friends and family gift exchanges.
I loved Tamagotchis when I was younger, and their recent resurgence has shown them to be a great gift for kids and adults alike. Each Tamagotchi houses a digital pet that your giftee can raise from egg to adulthood by feeding it, playing with it, cleaning up after it and more — as they raise their Tamagotchi, their care habits will determine which of the adult characters it turns into. Each Tamagotchi also has a playful design and includes a looped chain so you can easily carry it with you.
Uno is one of my favorite card games — it’s easy to play, fun in a group, and this miniature pack makes it easy for your giftee to bring on the go. Each pack has all the fun of regular Uno, and includes 112 cards of matching colors and numbers in a mini tuck box, according to the brand.
At first, I didn’t see the point of a micro reusable water bottle, but after Hydro Flask sent me a Micro Bottle to try, I definitely understood the hype. It’s less than seven inches tall and holds 6.7 ounces of liquid, which is great for bringing along water on a short walk or a day out where your giftee may not want to lug a bigger bottle. The bottles are leakproof, dishwasher-safe and able to keep drinks hot or cold for up to seven hours, according to the brand.
This sampler set is a great choice for anyone looking to step into the world of fragrance without making the full-sized bottle commitment. It includes ten miniature Maison Margiela Eau de Toilette fragrances in classic scents like Lazy Sunday Morning, By the Fireplace, Beach Walk and more, according to the brand. My mom got me this set last Christmas, and I’ve loved trying and layering the different scents — it’s also lasted me all year without running out of all the fragrances.
If your giftee is anything like me, they’re notoriously indecisive on everything, including what to eat for dinner — which is where this dice comes into play (literally). This six-sided dice has a different food option on each side, which makes it a fun way to get your giftee past their mealtime mental block. The dice is also available in multi-packs that cover topics across food, movies, activities and more, according to the brand.
I love my notes app as much as the next person, but sometimes nothing compares to handwritten notes and sentiments. This trio of mini notebooks is a perfect choice for your loved one who prefers to keep things analog — they’re small enough to carry along for jotting things down on-the-go, and have a clean, minimal design. Each notebook includes 48 pages of lined paper, according to the brand.
I’m a longtime Lego fan, and this miniature set is a fun project for kids and grown-ups alike. It includes two smiling plant figurines that are styled after baby dracaena and pilea plants, and can be used as toys or decor, according to the brand. The set includes 217 pieces, and is suitable for ages 9 and up.
Calling all music lovers — these miniature vinyls are a fun-sized twist on collectible records. Each Tiny Vinyl includes two songs (one per side) on a high-quality record, and are compatible with standard turntables, according to the brand. The vinyl pressings also come in a miniature cover, and are available for music from artists like Chappell Roan, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones and more.
After receiving this lip balm from Naturium in the summer, it quickly became one of my favorite formulas. It’s moisturizing, lightweight and long-lasting, and is made with shea and cupuacu butters to soothe dry lips, according to the brand. The lip balm is fragrance-free, and available in a range of changes, including a clear option (that I personally love for daily wear).
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select covering skin care, wellness, lifestyle and more, and have been writing gift guides for over two years. To find the best stocking stuffers, I searched the web for all things small and teeny-tiny, including products we’ve covered previously along with some NBC Select staff favorites.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.