Getting Personal

                Never too old for Father Christmas
            
                Father Christmas or Santa Claus has been a much-loved annual feature in popular culture for around 250 years, first appearing in the seventeenth century, and later becoming synonymous with present giving, children, and the famous red suit! Although Father Christmas is mainly popular with children, there's no reason why adults can't get in on the act either! After all, you're never too old to believe in Santa Claus - and if you've been good this year, who knows what he may bring you!
 
There's certainly a huge range of unusual and fun stocking fillers available online, for all tastes, interests and family members!

Personalised stocking fillers
 
Travellers or wannabe world adventurers will very well enjoy a fantastic 'wonders of the world' calendar - one of the many personalised stocking fillers now available. This particular calendar features a high quality image every month, depicting one of the most famous sights and treasures of the world - such as the Great Wall of China, or the Arctic lights - or even the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - something to inspire the greatest of holiday dreams! Even better, the front page has a stunning high definition image of the earth - spelling out the name of your lucky gift recipient - certainly putting them on the map! There are a wide range of other personalised stocking fillers though, including a range of different calendars - one with a selection of beautiful design images such as clouds, green fields, blue seas, fireworks, coloured cakes etc - all spelling out your loved one's name for a fun twist - or maybe even a personalised 'music legends' calendar, again with their name incorporated into a series of classic rock images! You could also try a personalised bottle of champagne or wine for really fancy and more grown up stocking fillers! The champagne option is a mix of the highest quality premier cuvee sparkling champagne, with a personalised label with name and message - and presented in a high quality gift box for a lasting memento.

Romantic stocking fillers

To really make your loved one smile at Christmas, why not try presenting them with your last Rolo at the bottom of their festive stocking - rather than the traditional orange! In a chic little gift box, this lovely little gift is a faithful replica of your favourite sweet, but in gold - rather than slightly melted chocolate and caramel! Perhaps less tasty to eat, but certainly a longer lasting token of your affection!

Show a sense of humour - and share a joke!
 
In these troubled times, it's nice to remember the lighter side of life and enjoy some of the more fun and frivolous array of stocking fillers... such as the Maggie Thatcher nutcracker! Paying homage to the iron lady herself, Maggie can be kindly requested to crack a selection of nuts between her thighs! Known for cracking more than just nuts in her time, Maggie in her typical blue suit and perm will amuse any political minded friends!
 
Otherwise how about celebrating your more technophobic friends or relatives, with the rather witty 'spare computer keys' - little brightly coloured stick on keys with options for panicking, ejecting and ceasing panic - perhaps lacking any actual functionality, but certainly brightening up even the most dull work keyboards!

Downright odd stocking fillers!
 
Some gifts are of no real use, rhyme or reason - but for some reason we just can't resist them, especially at Christmas! So, witness if you will the pure genius of the pocket volcano! It's a little hand-sized toy which erupts a spectacular fountain of 'lava' - perfect fun for the bath! Very strange, but highly addictive - and possibly with some loose kind of educational benefit in case you need to find an excuse to give it to the kids! Or how about the wondrous space duck - a slight twist on the regular yellow rubber duckie - this one is far more colourful and comes sporting a special space outfit! Finally you might want to try the 'gift of the year' - a little spinning, flashing and whistling little toy called a 'Mopod' which is attached to a mobile phone and livens up every incoming call! Don't you just know it - the toy was made in Japan!

With this extensive range of stocking fillers available, there's room for everyone in festive stocking land! In fact, the whole family can get involved and get those Christmas socks hanging up over the fireplace this year! Just don't forget to leave out a plate of mince pieces and a drink for the busy man (or worn out Mum) - it's really just polite! Happy Christmas all!

Related article: Something sweet for her stocking (Stocking Fillers)