Stocking Stuffer Store Power Rankings
A few weeks ago I emailed some old friends asking what they were doing for their kids’ Christmas stockings. I felt lost. I was reading Wirecutter and New York Mag and felt insane. Why was this so hard? Then I actually went shopping and realized I’ve been doing a version of this for years.
I’ve stuffed piñatas and thrown dance parties for kids for the last five years. I’m part of a family that likes parties so I’m constantly purchasing the dumbest, smallest plastic that’s fun for little kids. Keep in mind we’re buying for two kids, a toddler and a kindergartener. Every age is different and every kid prefers different stuff. Obviously. But if your kid is like either of my kids or any of their friends, there are tangible items you can purchase at any of the following stores.
Related, if you want to make everything in your kids stocking, great, you do you. If you want to get all of your toys from Free on Facebook groups and Little Free Libraries, go for it. No judgement in any direction. This is where to shop if you’re planning on spending money on buying toys.
Also, I do not know where you live. Unlike most sites we don’t track anything about our readers or use affiliate links. I’m only mentioning this because availability matters. All of this shopping was done in Washington. D.C. stores (except Amazon) and the very nearby suburbs, like one Metro stop outside D.C.
Without further adieu, and because you should probably get this stuff ASAP, here are the 2024 stocking stuffer store power rankings.
1. Dollar Tree
I visited my local Dollar Tree for the first time in search of stocking stuffers. It could not have been a better experience. Well, it definitely could have been better but in terms of toys, candy and price, it could not be better. I was able to purchase two Hot Wheels track thingies (launchers?), a Spider-Man art project, a Spidey and Friends puzzle, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer branded chocolate, Frosty the Snowman branded gummies and Christmas themed pencils for $11. I passed on Sesame Street figurines and Toy Story coloring books and stickers only because by this point the stockings had been stuffed. If you’re looking for IP that kids actually want and are trying to have a stuffed stocking for under $20, Dollar Tree may be a one-stop shop.
2. Safeway
Our local grocery store takes the number 2 spot for one reason: Hot Wheels. They have a 5 for $5 Hot Wheels deal and for some reason when I purchased 10 it got down to $9. With one kid asking for 100 Hot Wheels for Christmas and the other kid just wanting whatever their sibling has, I was always planning on giving each kid 5 Hot Wheels in their stockings. While Target has a better selection of Hot Wheels, Safeway is better if you’re trying to stuff somewhat equally. I didn’t want to buy the exact same Hot Wheels for each kid, if I did, Target would get this spot. I wanted 5 similar Hot Wheels and due to the volume of Hot Wheels at the grocery chain, this was easiest to accomplish at Safeway. For example, I needed two different styles of Batmobiles. Safeway had two different styles of Batmobiles. I needed two different skateboarders (Hot Wheels has a Tony Hawk line now). Safeway had two different styles of skateboarders. I nearly bought 20 Hot Wheels and called it a day but then the stocking would be too good and my kids would have nothing to look forward to on future Christmases. The other toys at our local Safeway are lacking, but if you just want to give candy and cars, Safeway is hard to beat.
3. Target
If you’re attempting to purchase everything in your stocking, and the stocking itself, online, Target would have the number one spot. The candy selection is great, the Hot Wheels options are better than Safeway if you’re buying for one, the toy section has become the defacto toy store with the demise of Toys-R-Us, the arts and crafts options are fantastic, they still have a $1-$5 tchotchke section (which was lackluster in 2024 but maybe that’s just in D.C.) and their app might be the most user friendly of the big box stores.
4. Walmart
See Target but slightly less good options. Slightly better than Target if you prioritize puzzles over cars. Our local Walmart has some great, age appropriate Sesame Street and Spidey puzzles.
5. Amazon
If you know exactly what you want to give, this could be number 1. If you’re not sure about every single item, you’re going to spend more on plastic no one needs. For example, would you like the three multi-color 6-in-1 pens I do not need? I purchased a pack of four because they’re only sold in packs of four. I only need to give one.
6. Family Dollar
If you’re in a pinch, you can assemble a decent stocking.
7. Marshalls/TJ Maxx
The least reliable merchandise means you never know what you’re going to find. But if you’re buying for a kid that isn’t your ward, it’s got some great stuff. If you want to buy Batwheels cars and a Christmas frame and comfy socks and a local sports team hat and just don’t like Target, here you go!
8. Whole Foods
The toy selection is Melissa & Doug heaven. You know who likes Melisa & Doug toys? Parents and grandparents that don’t want to buy cheap plastic toys their kids actually want. All Melissa & Doug toys are fine. Perfectly fine. But who is Christmas for? Only go to Whole Foods for stocking stuffers if you also want to give them fancy chocolate and you want wine.
9. Five Below
Fuck Five Below. Everything about it sucks. The Hot Wheels are the worst Hot Wheels and the most expensive! They come in packs of 2 for $5 and they’re the Hot Wheels no one wants! Even their holiday shirts, some featuring IP your kids probably like, cost nearly $6 and there aren’t enough in kid sizes! You know who has $6 holiday shirts featuring IP your kids probably like and always have in stock? Target! Five Below is never a deal.
10. Costco
How big is your stocking?
*Macy’s
While I don’t recommend it for stocking sized toys, Macy’s had some of the best deals on toys I did not know they sold. They might be the best ‘big’ toy option this holiday.
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