Stocking stuffers are a must. These little, often trivial items, can make or break a Christmas morning. Whether you’re shopping for a fledgling nerd-in-training or one with a bit more XP, these stocking stuffers will certainly bring them a bit of joy and happiness. All items are under $13, giving the frugal gift giver a bit of breathing room in your holiday budget. Even if you don’t have a stocking to stuff this year, there’s probably something here to satisfy your requirement as a Secret Santa to either someone at work, or even as just a little gift to yourself.
Caffinated Nixie Tubes — $7.99 @ ThinkGeek
Because there’s no better way to kick off a long day of opening gifts and dealing with family than a tube of caffeinated sugar.
Prank Powder Decpti-candy — $5.99 @ ThinkGeek
Looks like the candy above, but is actually a collection of sour, staining, foaming prank candy. Use in place of a chunk of coal.
Google SPF20 Lip Balm — $7.90 @ Google Store
Everyone’s lips get chapped and everyone loves Google. Sure, it’s a bit overpriced compared to supermarket versions, but Google has to pay the power bill somehow.
Android Plush Robot — $9.99 @ ThinkGeek
The perfect stocking stuffer for the Android lover in your life — or the perfect gag gift for the family Apple fanboy.
Android Cap — $7.90 @ Google Store
Die-hard Fandroids get Android tattoos but it’s sort of hard to stuff a tattoo in a stocking. Give this hat instead.
Casio Data Bank Watch — $12.95 @ Buy.com
A classic that anyone from a hipster to an engineer will adore.
Know Your Knots — $12.95 @ GarrettWade
Knowing how to tie a knot is about as important as breathing. Therefore, giving this kit is akin to giving life.
Yoda Santa Hat with Bendable Ears — $10.99 @ Star Wars Shop
Think about it: the man can levitate, communicate with animals, manipulate physical objects including himself and travel at inhuman speeds. Santa’s a Jedi.
Monkey’s Fist Key Holder — $5.25 @ GarrettWade
Nothing says “I’m of the sea” than a keychain with a nautical knot you didn’t tie.
Bench Cookie Home edition — $11.99 for a four pack @ Rockler
A truly versatile device born for use in a wood working workshop. This version would still work in the woodshop, but has a slightly more residential finish. Use it to hold and elevate nearly anything, including notebooks.
Star Wars Chop Sabers — $12.99 @ ThinkGeek
If you can’t use chopsticks properly, at least you can have fun doing so.
Hexbug Micro Robotic Ant — $4.99 @ Radio Shack
Don’t buy just one, buy a bunch and fill the stocking with these little robotic ants. Creepy but fun. Just the way Christmas should be.
Zibit Mini Collectible R/C Robot — $9.99 @ Toys R Us
It wouldn’t be Christmas without random cheap robots shuffling around for dogs to attack and dads to step on.
The ThinkGeek EvilTron — $9.99 @ ThinkGeek
Think twice — then think twice again — whether you really want to give something that’s engineered to annoy, frustrate and drive a person to the nut house. Maybe this should make its way into your stocking.
Kingston 4GB SDHC Flash Card — $7.99 @ Newegg
Please don’t be one of those gift givers. You know the type. The people that give a game system, but no game. A toy, but no batteries. Give this memory card alongside a digital camera.
Titanium Spork — $8.99 @ ThinkGeek
Yeah, the spork is the ultimate eating utensil but it’s so hard to find a quality one in Macy’s. Buy this one instead for the Taco Bell lover in your life. Mexican Pizza tastes better when served on Titanium.
Seskimo Crabble Smartphone Holder — GB£5.99 @ Seskimo.com
It’s a little known fact that most smartphones are about the same size so this cradle will work with both iPhones and Android devices. Crazy, yes. Spread the word.
Swiss Tech Utili-Key — $10.99 @ SwissTechTools
The perfect keychain accessory. Just hope that the TSA doesn’t start frisking at malls, schools and strip joints. They wouldn’t approve of the 6-in-1 mini-tool.
Keybrid Key-Keyring Hybrid — $8.99 per key
If you only have one key, make it this key. And then put the mini-tool above on it.
Screw Key — $5 for one philips, one flat
Okay, last key-related item. But this might be handy if you constantly find yourself traveling to the garage to get your screwdrivers.
OXO Cord Catch — $6.99 @ OXO
Goes on the desk, keeps mouse and USB cables from slipping back into the void.