As a Professional Organizer, I find the holiday season agonizing. So much emphasis on shopping — buying things that will be given to people who probably don’t even want them.
I love getting my weekly e-mails from the Container Store, but when they sent me one about this year’s collection of “Stocking Stuffers”, I got nervous. Stocking stuffers are the ultimate junky gift — emphasizing quantity and low price over quality. The Container Store offers free shipping if you order $100 worth of stocking stuffers. That made me even more nervous. How many of these stocking stuffers will I be cleaning out of my clients’ homes over the next couple of years?
When I checked out the Container Store’s stocking stuffer offerings, I found some very silly ones. (Cork Decorating Kit? Wine ‘O Bag? Inflatable Crown?) But I also found some items that I think could be really useful. So useful, in fact, that I plan on buying them! Here are my favorites.
Macaroon Earbud Holder. This little mushroom-shaped suction cup let’s you attach your earbuds to your smart phone when they are not in use.
Cord Buddy®. One of several products on the market that prevent your charger cord from falling off your desk when nothing is attached to it.
Cable Keep™. Wrap up your charger cord for safe and compact stowage in your purse or backpack. And it looks like a little fish. Functional, and cute! (There are some other cord wraps in the stocking stuffer list.)
Doggie Pick-Up Pouch. I already have a bag holder hanging on my dog’s leash. But this one can hold TWO rolls of bags, which is a really good idea. Because there’s nothing worse than using your last bag and then discovering your dog isn’t done. Know what I’m saying, dog owners?
Extendable Wood Back Scratcher. I always joke with my husband that if I got a back scratcher and a step stool, I wouldn’t need him anymore. So when I mentioned to him that I was planning to buy a back scratcher, I expected some pushback. But he think’s it’s a great idea.
Go ahead and see what gems you can find among the Container Store’s stocking stuffers.