15 Unique Stocking Stuffers Our Allstars Love to Give

One of the best stocking stuffers, according to our Allstars, is a spatula. "You can never have too many spatulas!" announced both Deb of Peabody, Massachusetts and Beckie of High Point, North Carolina. "I use spatulas constantly and I recommend the Rubbermade High Heat Silicon 9.5 Spatula — I love it, and it's rated the best by America's Test Kitchen," says Deb. (Available in seven colors.)

When it comes to kitchen items, give the gifts that people don't normally think to buy for themselves, suggests Lisa from Hayward California. "I find that many of my family/friends don't own helpful little kitchen gadgets like a cookie dough scoop or silicone cutting boards," she says. Foodie's Kitchen cutting boards are flexible, non-slip and heat-resistant.

The gift of beauty is never out of vogue, say our Allstars, for whom hand soaps, shower gels, and lotions made their wish list. Adawndria from McKinney, Texas, gets specific: "Spongelle is a great exfoliator, and it comes in all sorts of wonderful fragrances!" Try their body wash Beauty Trio sampler including coconut verbena, freesia pear, and french lavender.

We ask you, who doesn't love fuzzy socks? Donna from Brewster, New York, and Jennifer from Birmingham Alabama are a hit with their gift recipients for their fuzzy socks.

Spice up your gourmet chef's stocking with Nom Nom Paleo's Magic Mushroom Powder, suggests Brenda from San Antonio, a seasoning blend including dried porcini mushroom, salt, pepper and thyme.

When's the last time you bought a candle? Exactly. That's why receiving them can be so special, says Paula from Olive Branch, Mississippi. "I can always use candles," she says. "Root Pumpkin Spice is my favorite for this time of year. Just one of their lit candles can make my entire house smell wonderful!"

You know how it goes: Somehow, you have either three phone chargers when you don't need them, and they suddenly disappear when you do (we've been there). That's where Jennifer from Modesto, California comes in handy for those on her list. "I like to give people things that people always need but hate buying, like phone accessories and headphones," she says. Better yet: Give them an Apple gift card so they can pick and click.

Mugs are another "never buy for yourself" item that you tend to need replenished from time to time. But not just any mug will do, explains Noah from Oswego, Illinois. "I like to give unique mugs, not just the normal boring mugs with a word on the side. I travel for work and collect mugs from the different places I have been." We like the Unemployed Philosophers Guild collection, including the constellation mug: fill it with hot liquid to watch the stars come out. 

Several Allstars shared a treasured family tradition with us: chocolate oranges! "They're fun to break open and share, and they've become a tradition in our family," reports Howard from Henderson, Nevada. "Our grown children expect them, and I am having fun sharing them with my nieces and nephews as well." Try a Terry's Milk Chocolate Orange Ball Gift Box.

For the big baker of the family, think of items that tend to wear out and need to be replaced, like silicon mats, suggests Amanda from Riverside, California. "Small baking sheets are always nice, too," she says. Try Silpat's collection of nonstick, flexible baking mats (available in three sizes).

For the grill master, Penzey seasonings received a couple of Allstar nods: Both Angie from Waterloo, Iowa and Maria from Tacoma, Washington called out Penzey's as a favorite stocking stuffer. Try their Grill With Love box, including Arizona Dreaming (for shrimp and fajitas), Mural of Flavor (good for grilled veggies and fish), Bicentennial Rub (for chicken and turkey wings), and English Prime Rib Rub (for burgers).

Small kitchen aides — the ones you never think to buy but end up coveting — are a perfect stocking-stuffer surprise, says Renee from Brunswick, Ohio. "I love the DASH egg steamer," she says. "This little device is compact and makes perfect, easy-to-peel, hard-boiled eggs every single time."

We were happy to receive this idea: books! "I'm old school, and I just love holding and reading books and cookbooks," says Tracey from Pooler, Georgia (we agree, Tracey!). One we like: Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House by Beth M. Howard (Race Point Publishing, 2014).

The gift of alcohol on Christmas morning (or Eve!) is never a bad notion, concur our Allstars who suggest wine, champagne, or, as Nora from Taylor, Texas suggests, "I love to put small bottles of Prosecco and tiny bottles of fun liquors in my husband's stocking. It's a great way to add a grown-up twist, and something to enjoy later in the day!" 

Count on the Allstars to fill our shopping lists with great kitchen gadget ideas: Pat from Tampa, Florida announces that she can't live without her vegetable chopper and wants everyone else to know about it, too. "I've had mine for like 15 years," she says of her Progressive chopper. "I like it because it's fast, convenient, and everything is cut exactly perfect, which helps it cook more evenly and the presentation is nice too."