Stocking Stuffers for under $30 and Christmas craft ideas for you and your kids

By LORI HADACEK CHAPLIN

Make this year’s Christmas stockings something special. With the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the stocking stuffers are sometimes an afterthought — and an added stress. Relax! The Register and Faith & Family magazine has done all of the work for you, finding affordable stocking-sized gifts — all under $30 — for every member of the family.  We have categorized each of the gifts, but don’t let that limit you; many of the gifts are great for both males and females — young and young-at-heart.

There is more than one version of how the tradition of the Christmas stocking came into being, but the most interesting credits St. Nicholas of Myra. Legend has it that there was a poor father blessed with three lovely and good daughters for whom he could not afford to provide dowries. St. Nicholas, seeing their plight, wanted to help, but knew that the father was proud and would most likely decline any gift from him.

Therefore, St. Nicholas waited until the family’s house was dark on Christmas Eve; he climbed to the roof and dropped three bags filled with gold down the chimney. In the morning each daughter discovered a bag of gold in one of her stockings that hung from the fireplace mantle. All three had enough for a dowry, and were able to secure happy marriages.

Especially for Kids

Catholic Stickers

These Catholic-themed stickers have vintage appeal, and will be a hit with both children and adults. With more than 40 stickers per sheet, there is everything from saints to the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Mother. They are self-adhesive and in full color; Stickers

($3 per sheet), from

CatholicStationery.com or (800) 433-5504.

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe  

Screen and stage actor Michael York (who portrayed John the Baptist in Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth) performing C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the best available readings of this classic. The CD contains bonus material (Narnia artwork by Pauline Baynes) that can be viewed on your computer; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (four unabridged CDs, $29.95), from HarperAudio.com or (800) 331-3761.

Mary Memory Game

A religious spin-off of the games Concentration and Go Fish, Mary Memory and Go to the Grotto comes with 20 pairs of cards featuring Marian art in traditional and modern styles; Mary Memory and Go to the Grotto ($7.95), from CatholicKidsNet.org or (972) 252-3700.

Captain Von Trapp

Bosun’s Whistle

This is an authentic reproduction of the bosun’s whistle once used by cabin boys on a ship to communicate the captain’s orders to the crew. Whistle, crafted of brass and copper, comes with instructions on how to make the calls; ages 3 and up; Bosun’s Whistle ($9), from VisionForum.com or (800) 440-0022.

Tin Toy Marble Shooter

Vintage-style mini-arcade game will be a hit especially with little boys (ages 8 and up).

A spring-loaded shooter launches marbles toward scoring tray for points; Marble Shooter ($14.95), from QuincyShop.com or (800) 299-4242.

Astrojax Plus

Chinaberry describes this unusual toy as a “yo-yo crossed with juggling balls.” Children will enjoy learning how movement and rhythm make the balls on the Astrojax hop and gyrate. The balls are soft, so there won’t be any painful accidents if they come in contact with body parts — or siblings! Comes with a CD-ROM demonstrating tricks and techniques; ages 7 to 12. Astrojax Plus ($9.95, two or more $8.95), from Chinaberry.com or (800) 776-2242.

The Frances Audio Collection

Glynis Johns’ performance makes Frances (a little girl badger) and her mischievous antics even more adorable. This CD contains four Frances books: Bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances and A Birthday for Frances; Frances (unabridged CD, $13.95), from HarperAudio.com or (800) 331-3761.

Sew ’N’ Sew

Keep little hands busy with Sew ’N’ Sew wooden apple. Little ones will have fun, while improving hand/eye coordination. Made of non-toxic hardwood; ages 2 to 6.

Sew ’N’ Sew wooden apple, ($7.95), from Chinaberry.com

or (800) 776-2242.

Teenage Girls

HisStory Bracelet

Every bead on this colorful bracelet tells the story of Jesus’ life and loving sacrifice; includes a card to explain the bracelet. HisStory Bracelet ($14.95), from Leaflet

Missal.org or (800) 328-9582.

No-Scent Nail Polish

Pretty nail colors without the fumes. Honeybeegardens’ WaterColors Nail Enamel is odor-free and non-toxic. This water-based polish contains no harmful ingredients, such as toluene, xylene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, typical to solvent-based polishes. The polish can be removed with standard isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Perfect for young girls! Honeybeegardens’ WaterColors Nail Enamel ($5.99), from HoneybeeGardens.com or (610) 396-9225.

Glamour Girls

Glamour Girls by Andrea Stephens, a former fashion model, speaks to teens about makeup, hair, exercise, clothes and beauty from a Christian perspective in a new book. Stephens provides step-by-step directions and advice for young women to look their best and to appreciate the body and face God gave them. Glamour Girls ($12.99), from RevellBooks.com.

Especially for Ladies

Tractor Tee

Farm girls and former farm girls will be tickled with this Pink Tractor logo T-shirt from Farm Chicks. Two Catholic moms, Serena and Teri, are the owners of this Washington-based company. This shirt is high-quality; the weightier, 100% soft-combed cotton kind. Tractor Tee ($20), from TheFarmChicks.com or (509) 954-1692.

Scientific Pedometer

The Oregon Scientific Pedometer counts calories burned, measures distance and time spent exercising, and has a memory capable of storing up to a week’s worth of exercise sessions to track progress. It also has the added benefit of a panic alarm. Scientific Pedometer ($29.99), from Radio Shack, Radioshack.com.

Chamomile Hand Cream

This pretty-scented Chamomile Hand Cream will please the ladies, but even men will like how well it soothes chapped winter skin. It is especially effective in softening and healing skin because it contains plant extracts, shea and cocoa butter. Chamomile Hand Cream ($22 for 3½ ounces), from Eco-Beauty.com or (208) 267-9819.

Especially for Guys

Business Card Holder

Automatic Card Holder flips open and the top card pops up for easy removal, so business cards stay looking professional. Each measures 3 inches-by-2 3/8 inches. Comes in silver-tone and gold-tone. Automatic Card Holder ($20), from Netique.com or (888) WEB-GIFT.

‘The Holy Rosary CD’

“The Holy Rosary: Mother Angelica & the Nuns of Our Lady of Angels Monastery” on CD is the perfect gift to give the commuter. Mother Angelica leads each of the decades for the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries, despite communication difficulties due to the serious stroke she suffered on Christmas Eve in 2001. Her frailty adds a deeper spiritual dimension to this Rosary CD.

“The Holy Rosary” (two CDs, $16.95), from MonasteryGreetings.com or (800) 472-0425.

Suunto Wrist Compass

Outdoorsy guys will appreciate this practical gift. The Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass allows for hands-free navigating. It has a sighting window, which allows accurate bearings to be taken. Suunto M-9 Wrist Compass ($26.50), from TheCompassStore.com or (678) 318-3660.

Teenage Boys

Swiss Army Knife

Swiss Army Super Tinker will be a hit with dads and sons. This inexpensive version contains two blades, screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, tweezers and more. Swiss Army Super Tinker ($26.95), from SwissKnifeShop.com or (866) GET-SWISS.

The Silver Chalice

The Silver Chalice is one of Thomas Costain’s most engaging novels. First published in 1952, it was a bestseller, and in 1953, it was the second most popular novel — with The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas being No. 1. The novel has weathered the test of time and now a whole new generation can be thrilled with the adventure of how a young metal artisan named Basil is chosen to make — and safeguard — a chalice that Christ used at the Last Supper. The Silver Chalice (forward by Peggy Noonan, $13.95), from LoyolaBooks.org or (800) 621-1008.

Electronic Chess/Checkers

A compact, electronic chess and checkers game that uses stylus-touch to move the pieces will be a hit with teens and pre-teens. Games can be played against the computer or a partner. It’s challenging for most players, with a U.S. Chess Federation rating of 1650. Electronic Chess and Checkers ($29.95), from ChessHouse.com (enter B40C on the website’s search function) or (888) 512-2437.

Especially for Grandparents

Snapfish Notepads and Ornaments

Put a smile on Grandma and Grandpa’s face with Snapfish’s personalized notepads and Christmas ornaments. Snapfish Notepads ($7.99) and Ornaments ($12.99-14.99), from Snapfish.com or (301) 595-5308.

Holy Cards

Their vivid, jewel-tone colors make TradeMark Holy Cards especially appealing. Each image is framed by an ornate, gold Gothic-style window. Choose from 26 cards — from The Golden Hail Mary to Christmas Prayers. TradeMark Holy Cards (49 cents each or $8.95 for a pack of 25), from CatholicStationery.com or (800) 433-5504.

‘Alleluia This Sweet Song’

A must-have for classical music-lovers! This second CD in the “Best of Millennium of Music” series contains 19 selections, including chants, motets, oratorios, carols and songs performed by Anonymous 4 and other world-renowned early music ensembles. The Anonymous 4 performing “Beata Viscera” and “Lullay, lullay As I Lay on Yoolis night” is a special treat. “Alleluia This Sweet Song” (CD, $8.99), from Ignatius.com or (800) 651-1531.

Treats for Everyone

Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows

Handmade Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows from Laura’s Candy.

A gourmet treat that’s nothing like the store-bought, factory variety; these are soft and yummy and melt in your mouth. This box of five flavors comes in peppermint (our personal favorite), raspberry, vanilla, mocha and chocolate, all covered in light and dark Valrhona chocolate. Don’t like chocolate? Try butterscotch, black jelly bean, zesty lemon and other flavors. All of the fruit flavors are made with real fruit. Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows ($7 for 5), from LCandy.com or (507) 388-8908.

Monastery ‘Praylines’

The nuns at St. Benedict Monastery in Canyon, Texas, make yummy pralines that they call Praylines with whole Texas pecans, fresh cream, butter and more importantly prayer — the first ingredient in Praylines. The nuns not only pray while making caramel treats; they chant the Psalms seven times a day in their chapel.

Praylines ($16.95 for 12 ounces), from MonasteryGreetings.com or (800) 472-0425.

This story was reprinted from the Advent/Christmas issue of Faith & Family magazine.