Best Stocking Stuffer Ideas for 2020
The gift-giving season is upon us and it’s time to gather up Santa’s stocking stuffer ideas. The stocking gifts can be a little difficult since you don’t want to be giving coal (unless they’ve been naughty). Since it’s a smaller space you have to be a little more creative on what you give. But just because they’re smaller doesn’t mean they have to be boring!
Here we’ve compiled the top stocking stuffers for your loved ones. You can feel good about all of these suggestions as they’re all beneficial for good health practices to start the new year off right!
1. Earbuds
Earbuds are great for everyone. They’re especially great if you’ve been moved to working from home more often than you used to. Earbuds are not as noticeable as their headset counterparts so you feel a little more confident on your work calls.
But they aren’t just a business ordeal. Earbuds are great for when your kid’s music or video games have been too loud. Plus they’re great motivation for exercise.
Studies show that when you use music while exercising you experience a ton of positive effects. Some of these can include:
- Improved exercise performance
- Reduced perception of energy used
- Better emotions associated with exercising making it an easier habit to keep
- Better results as a result of working out
Popping some earbuds into any (or all) stockings this year could have great benefits for everyone in the house.
2. Exercise Watch
Something that pairs great with some earbuds to get you on your exercise streak is an exercise watch. It can be difficult to know exactly what one to buy though. When it comes down to this choice, looking at what metrics you want to track the most will be the best way to make your decision when asking “what is the best fitness tracker watch?”
A study compared data between several different fitness trackers and these were the results:
-Apple Watch and Garmin
Apple Watches and Garmin were the best fitness trackers for measuring step count and heart rate. They were a little below average among the other trackers when it came to energy expenditure (calories burned). Either of these trackers is great if you’re looking to count steps and heart rate. This works out great for anyone who is looking for phone pairing with your fitness tracker.
-Fitbit
Fitbit came out being on the opposite of the other two. Depending on what type of workout you’re doing Fitbit can be extremely accurate or slightly below average. They track steps and heart rate fine unless you’re doing a high-intensity workout. The higher the intensity of a workout the less accurate Fitbit became. However, if you stick to light to moderate workouts you will be good with a Fitbit.
Fitbit came out on top when it came to the best fitness tracking for counting calories burned. While Apple Watch and Garmin trackers were low, this is where Fitbit exceeded. So if calories burned are what you’re most concerned with, Fitbit might be the best for you.
When it comes to the best fitness tracker for you, it will come down to what you want to track to determine which is the best.
3. Exercise Bands
Exercise bands are a great stocking stuffer. They’re small and ball up easily, but are still more fun than pulling out some boring white socks. Exercise bands are great for doing at-home workouts. They are a great alternative to weights since they aren’t heavy, take up too much space, or dangerous around little kids, but they give you the same resistance for muscle building.
4. Atrantil
Atrantil is another great stocking stuffer for anyone in your life that suffers from bloating, constipation, or other gastrointestinal issues. Atrantil is full of gut-healthy prebiotics to feed your good bacteria and postbiotics that help to heal your body.
Atrantil is also a great source of polyphenols to help your body fight inflammation and boost your immune system.
Made up of polyphenols, Atrantil provides benefits for everyone!
When you gift Atrantil, you’re giving someone great gut health which leads to overall good health. Grab yours here.
5. Chocolate
Chocolate is a great source of energy and nutrition. It also makes a great stocking stuffer as long as it isn’t too hot. Chocolate that is 70% cocoa or higher is a great source of polyphenols and antioxidants that offer:
- Energy boosts
- Prebiotics
- Improved cognition
- Better mood
- Enhanced heart health
If someone you know suffers from migraines, then avoid gifting them chocolate as it has been linked to migraines.
6. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts like chocolate are another great source of polyphenols and prebiotics. When we eat nuts they feed our good bacteria and send out short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) like butyrate. These SCFA’s have been linked to improved long-term brain health and improved hormone health.
When picking nuts or seeds to give, choosing ones that have less sodium or sugar is the healthiest option.
7. Candy Canes
A Christmas stocking wouldn’t be complete without candy canes. Luckily candy canes are actually a great gift to give people, especially if they suffer from digestive issues like an upset stomach. Peppermint oil has been proven to help with conditions like:
- IBS
- Functional dyspepsia
- Childhood functional abdominal pain
- Nausea
Peppermint oil is one of the main ingredients in Atrantil attributing too much of its success.
8. Fun Masks
COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. While that is unfortunate, it does give you an additional stocking stuffer idea that your family will get excited about. Gifting designer masks can be a fun way to spice up your family’s wardrobe.
If kids are going to schools where a dress code is still in place, masks can be a great way to still express their individuality. Brands are making masks with their logos, cartoon characters, and you can even order customized masks made from local shops with original designs. Get creative and fun with your masks and your family will be excited to show off their new mask.
9. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers are another great small gift that you can pop into the stockings this year. When looking at specific types of hand sanitizers there are a few things you should keep in mind when deciding what brands to go with.
- Make sure it is at least 75% alcohol to fight COVID-19 and other viruses/bacteria
- Hand sanitizer gel, foams, and wipes are all successful delivery methods so if your child doesn’t do well with the typical hand sanitizer, getting one of these other methods might be better for them.
- Alcohol-free options that are strong and proven include:
- Chloroxylenol
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
If a scented sanitizer is preferred, just make sure that it has 75% or higher germ-killing qualities.
We hope you’ve found some inspiration in this list of stocking stuffer ideas for the 2020 holiday season. If you have additional ideas, drop them in the comments for others to use. Stay merry and safe this holiday season!
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