Chocolate, candy canes, and gummy sweets--the holiday season is an opportune time to satisfy every indulgence. While no one wants a stocking full of coal, there are many ways to make a stocking healthy and fun at the same time. Consider sprinkling in some healthy goodies so that the kids aren't bouncing off the walls and you aren't regretting the extra "insulation" pounds.
Travel Packs
Think mini-toothbrush, mini-toothpaste, mini-mouthwash, tiny shampoo and conditioner and tiny soap. The adults will find these hygiene products handy and the kids may even think they're fun if the products are colorful and kid-friendly.
Trail Mix and Granola Bars
Stuff the stockings with trail mix and granola bars. They may be full of nutritious nuts and/or granola, but they can also be sweetened with yogurt, peanut butter, dried fruit and bits of chocolate. Consider your family's tastes when choosing among the different varieties, but watch for high sugar content in some brands.
Fruit
Forget the bulky apples and oranges. Small fruits with peels are nutritious and they don't take up a whole lot of stocking space. For example, clementines are sweet and juicy little mandarins that are easy to peel, easy to separate into sections, and are usually seedless.
Exercise DVDs
Exercise DVDs come in varieties for both kids and adults. Consider your family members' hobbies and abilities to find suitable exercises. A child who loves to dance might appreciate a dance-focused DVD that will teach her fun moves. A child who likes to play pretend might like a child yoga-focused DVD. Exercise DVDs for adults can focused on yoga and Pilates.
Outdoor Accessories
Outdoorsy family members may appreciate a stocking full of small hiking gear accessories. Pedometers (little devices that count your footsteps,) small flashlights, canteens or water bottles, headlamps, sunglasses, sunscreen, safety whistles, binoculars and pocket knives are some examples of hiking accessories that can fit into a stocking. Additionally, all of these accessories are designed for both kids and adults.
Gift Certificates
Figure out what physical activities your family members like and give them gift certificates accordingly. A trip to a local pool, ice skating rink, laser tag arena, paintball arena, bowling alley, miniature golf course or rock climbing wall are good examples of fun and exercise-oriented activities. If finances prohibit you from getting such gift cards for everyone, give every family member the same gift card good for one family picnic at the park or one family camping trip.
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