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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Peter Bevan

Best stocking fillers for adults 2022: Ideas for under £30

What would Christmas be without a stocking to open in the morning? And, coming from a 27 year old man, it’s something that shouldn’t be reserved for children alone, or else risk tantrums on the big day… trust me.

Whether you’re filling a beautiful Liberty print design for your mother, or a classic embroidered style for your son, we’ve put together an edit of gifts that will have them bursting at the seams - and, with every gift under £30, they won’t break the bank, either. We’ve covered food & drink, home, beauty, fashion, and tech to make sure there’s something for everyone.

And these don’t have to be reserved for stockings alone. For your friends and family who you won’t see on the 25th, a festive gift bag including a couple of these items is perfect for any pre-or-post-Christmas celebrations you’ll be enjoying. Even better, if you’ve drawn a colleague you’ve barely said two words to in the workplace Secret Santa, fret not, because they’d be more than happy with a selection of these goodies - staying within budget, of course.

So, we’re here to solve all of your gifting related woes, leaving you to enjoy all of the festive celebrations in the run up to the big day. Just keep scrolling to discover our cheat-guide to Christmas gifts - and you might even find something for yourself.

Food & Drink

Hotel Chocolat The Christmas Pocket Selection

With eight delicious Christmas-themed chocolates encased in a small ribbon-topped box, Hotel Chocolat’s Christmas Pocket Selection is the perfect addition to a stocking for anyone in the family. From a sea salt caramel supernova to a dizzy praline, it looks like the festivities are going to become adequately decadent with this luxurious selection.

Buy now £9.00, Hotel Chocolat

Fortnum's Prosecco Valdobbiadene NV, Zucchetto, 75cl

A tipple or two on Christmas day goes without saying - so why not treat someone special to Fortnum’s Prosecco Valdobbiadene prosecco? Bring the warmth of the Italian vineyards to your home and cosy up by the fire with a glass in hand.

Buy now £16.50, Fortnum & Mason

Jamie Oliver One: Simple One-Pan Wonders

The king of quality food made using simple recipes, Jamie Oliver’s newest cookbook has some handy tips and tricks that cater to everyone - whether you’re a parent who cooks for a family of four or a student going to university who’s never made beans on toast. And right now, it’s better than half price on Amazon, so get it before it’s gone.

Buy now £13.00, Amazon

Selfridges Selection Malbec

There’s no better time for a bottle of red wine than Christmas - and, in our humble opinion, there’s no better red wine than Malbec. Put them both together, and you’ve got a stocking filler winner. A bold wine with an artsy label, anyone would be happy unwrapping this Selfridges Selection bottle on Christmas morning.

Buy now £14.99, Selfridges

Home

The White Company Oakmoss Signature Candle

Relaxation and Christmas aren’t exactly two things that go hand in hand, but once the craziness of the day is over, the lucky recipient of The White Company’s Oakmoss candle can put their feet up and bathe in the relaxing and comforting scent of sandalwood, amber, and soft leather. A perfect gift for the remaining dreary winter months.

Buy now £20.00, The White Company

Marks & Spencer Pure Silk Eye Mask

Give the gift of sleep this Christmas with Marks & Spencer’s pure silk eye mask. After weeks spent celebrating, there’s nothing everyone needs more than a good sleep. Allowing the skin to retain moisture throughout the night and reduce friction on delicate skin, the luxuriously soft silk will help with drifting off into a blissful slumber.

Buy now £12.50, M&S

Nkuku Ama Short Mug (Set of 2)

We’ve all got a coffee-fanatic that’s close to our heart - so why not treat them to a set of two beautiful short coffee cups? Handmade in Vietnam by skilled artisans using natural materials through sustainable productions methods, they’re a unique, guilt free gift that would be enjoyed by even the most stylish family member or friend.

Buy now £22.50, Nkuku

Gibsons Mind The Gap Card Game

If you’ve played Uno to death, Mind The Gap is a great alternative - especially for anyone who likes to think they’re pros at the London Underground Map. It works with 2-8 players, making it the perfect easy after dinner game - no family arguments included.

Buy now £14.00, Selfridges

Beauty

Pixi FortifEYE x 60 Patches

Who doesn’t want to look their best during the festive season? Well, these Pixi hydrogel eye patches are a tired-eyes-saviour, with their toning and lifting formula that hydrates, fortifies, and smooths skin in the undereye area - leaving you looking like you’ve had the eight hours you deserve. With 30 pairs in the tub, they’ll last the season and beyond.

Buy now £22.00, Marks and Spencer

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 100ml

A gift for someone who has everything, Aesop’s body cleansers are a luxurious treat that you wouldn’t buy for yourself. Our favourite is the geranium leaf scent, which is a complex citrussy aroma that will leave you feeling fresh and energised after the shower. If they love it, you can gift the 500ml size next time.

Buy now £15.00, Aesop

Le Labo Lip Balm

Tell me you’re chic, without telling me you’re chic. Well, to do this, all you need to do is show me a Le Labo lip balm. A cult favourite brand famous for its delicious fragrances, the lip balm is a buttery, non-sticky, non-glossy balm made using plant-derived oils and nut butters to nourish your lips and protect them from the elements. Wave goodbye to chapped smackers with this dream product - you can even use it on your cuticles or knuckles too.

Buy now £13.00, Cult Beauty

Herbivore Jade Facial Roller

Herbivore’s jade facial roller is a great addition to any bathroom cabinet - and one that will last for years to come. A technique that’s been used in China for hundreds of years, facial rolling is a tried and tested method that invigorates the skin, promotes detoxification, and reduces signs of puffiness, wrinkles, and facial tension - all the while drawing out negative energy. Just make sure to keep it in the fridge to maximise the calming and de-stressing benefits.

Buy now £29.00, Space NK

Typology Tinted Lip Oil

Typology’s tinted lip oil is a tried and tested favourite that’s the perfect addition to any stocking or gift bag. Enriched with squalane, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, it simultaneously colours the lips and offers them nutrition and suppleness, leaving them Christmas Day-ready in no time.

Buy now £17.50, Typology

Fashion

Casio LQ-400D-1AEF vintage style watch

When it comes to timepieces, it doesn’t get more iconic than Casio. An analogue option, this black, silver, and gold design is a versatile style that will work with a range of jewellery and outfits. Presented in a branded box, it’s an ideal addition to any stocking.

Buy now £22.50, Casio

Dickies Hardwick cord cap in black

Although baseball caps are usually worn in the summer, they’re a great alternative to a winter hat in the colder months. Dickies has given this 6 panel design a winter upgrade with smooth black corduroy. Worn with a cosy fleece, you’ll be ready for anything the season will throw at you.

Buy now £30.00, ASOS

032C X Sloggi Unisex Socks

A good Christmas isn’t complete without a new pair of socks. This pair from 032C X Sloggi are a comfortable cotton elastane blend with the perfect level of cosiness. In a stylish tie dye, they’ll up your cold weather aesthetic worn with a pair of plain sliders or mules - if you want to make them a part of a bigger present, you could gift them with a pair of Birkenstocks.

Buy now £24.00, Triumph

Arket Midweight T-shirt

Everyone appreciates a new T-shirt, especially when it’s one of the best fits on the market. Copenhagen-based brand Arket is a professional at creating elevated basics, and the midweight T-shirt is no exception. Not only is it the perfect weight with a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit, but is also specifically designed to retain its colour and shape over time. Available in 13 colours, there’s one to suit every taste.

Buy now £17.00, Arket

Tech

Anker Wireless Charger

The stress of misplaced or broken USB wires will be a thing of the past with Anker’s wireless charger. Whether it’s for your son or daughter, mum or dad, it’s a gift that works for the whole family - just as long as they’ve got a compatible up-to-date smartphone.

Buy now £15.99, Amazon

Apple Airtag

Whether it’s losing your keys, misplacing your wallet, or ending up stranded at an airport without your luggage, everyone could do with a pack of AirTags that show you the direction and distance of your lost item. The battery lasts for over a year, is easy to replace, and is even water resistant so no need to worry if you drop your keys in a puddle. Pair it with the AirTag Loop for an added extra.

Buy now £29.00, Currys

Tamagotchi Original Bubble virtual reality pet

Making a real comeback this year is the iconic Tamagotchi. Originally popular in the late Nineties and early Noughties, they’d make a perfect gift for young-teens or twenty-somethings who are in the mood for some throwback nostalgia - and a great Secret Santa present.

Buy now £16.00, Selfridges

Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation)

With the latest iteration of Amazon’s most popular smart speaker, you can treat a special someone to the convenience of Alexa this Christmas. The Echo Dot has voice control, select audio streaming services, and connectivity with your smartphone for the gift that keeps on giving. Usually priced at £54.99, it’s currently over 60 per cent off, so make sure you get the deal before it’s too late.

Buy now £26.99, Amazon

Holyton HT02 Mini Drone for Beginners

One for the big kids, Holyton’s mini drone is perfect for beginners who want a bit of airbourne fun. At the less than two square inches in size, it’s unlikely to cause any unwanted homeware-related damage, and it will even fit in your pocket.

Buy now £33.99, Amazon

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