30 Budget Friendly Stocking Stuffers Under $5

A bottle of bubbles is often about $1 to $2 at dollar stores. It's a winter gift with a spring payoff, and kids use it right away on Christmas morning.

Pair a small box of crayons with a pocket coloring book for about $2 to $4 total. It's the stocking stuffer that keeps kids busy in the car to Grandma's.

Single tubs or small multipacks often cost about $1 to $5. Pick a color they don't have yet and add a cookie cutter from your kitchen drawer.

Bath crayons and small squirt toys often run about $1.25 to $5. They make bath time feel new for a few weeks.

A light-up or character toothbrush is often under $5. It counts as a "need" and makes brushing teeth a little more exciting.

Small jigsaw puzzles are often about $1.25 to $5 at dollar stores and in Target's dollar section. Choose one with a picture of something they love.

Sticker books and multi-sheet packs are often about $1.25 to $5. They're a cheap favorite through the tween years for journals, water bottles and notebooks.

Small packs often cost about $1.25 to $5, or split a bigger multipack across siblings. Pair them with a cheap notebook for a mini set.

A plain deck of cards is often around $1 to $3. Add a handwritten card with the rules to a family game like Spoons or Go Fish.

Small clip-on reading lights are sometimes found for about $3 to $5. They're great for kids who read under the covers.

Fidget toys are often about $1.25 to $5 at dollar stores and Five Below. Pick one that's quiet if it's going to school.

Multipacks of scrunchies or clips often cost about $1.25 to $5. Split one pack between two stockings to stretch it further.

Five Below and similar stores often carry phone grips and basic charging cables for about $5 or less. Teens almost always need a spare cable.

Lip balm is often about $1 to $4 at drugstores, grocery stores and dollar stores. It's a winter must-have for every teen.

Single pairs are often about $1.25 to $5, and multipacks split across stockings can bring the cost down further. Pick a fun pattern or their team color.

A full-size bar or bag of their favorite treat often costs about $1.50 to $4. It's the item they'll actually eat first.

Single sheet masks are often about $1 to $3, and travel-size skincare is often under $5. Check for allergies before you buy scented products.

Teens with new car or house keys love a fun carabiner or keychain, often about $1.25 to $5. It's useful and easy to personalize with a small charm.

Travel-size hand cream is often about $1.25 to $5. Winter hands always need it, and a small tube fits in a purse or a car door.

Claw clips are often about $1.25 to $5, and a neutral color goes with everything. They're one of those things that seem to disappear, so a spare is always welcome.

Soft socks for cold mornings are often about $1.25 to $5 a pair. Choose a calm color she'd wear around the house.

A nicer chocolate bar or a few loose tea bags in a little bag often costs about $2 to $5. It's a small treat she can enjoy on a quiet afternoon.

Tin candles are often about $1.25 to $5 in dollar stores and Target's dollar section. Pick a soft scent like vanilla or pine.

A bottle of nail polish or a pack of nail files is often about $1.25 to $5. Add a handwritten "pedicure night" coupon to make it a small event.

A pair of air-activated hand warmers often costs about $1 to $3, and bulk packs bring it lower. Great for anyone who works outside or sits at kids' games.

A small bag of jerky or trail mix is often about $2 to $5. It's the stocking stuffer most likely to be gone by noon.

Basic ice scrapers are often about $1.25 to $5. Practical gifts like this get used every frosty morning.

Simple work or garden gloves are often about $1.25 to $5 at dollar and hardware stores. Everyone with a yard or a garage can use another pair.

A small bottle of hot sauce or a grill seasoning is often about $1.25 to $5. Pick a flavor he hasn't tried yet.

A small notebook and a good pen often cost about $2 to $5 together. It's handy in a truck, a toolbox or a work bag.