Christmas Stocking Stuffers are a great way to add to the excitement of the holiday season.

Oftentimes, the stockings are the first things opened prior to the presents. I know when I was a child and when my children were little the Christmas stockings were the first things we could open before mom & dad woke up.

The big presents are nice, but it's the little trinket type gifts that built up the excitement. If you're struggling to find just the right Christmas stocking stuffers this year then use the ideas suggested below to make it an unforgetable holiday season:

Young Children Stuffer Ideas

Play Doh: just saying it brings back memories of the smell of it! Can't you smell it right now? This stuff will provide hours of entertainment for little ones. Not only will the Play Doh fit into a stocking, but you can get accessories too that fit along with it.

Silly Putty: I remember how it could lift the comics right of the Sunday newspapers. It's amazing stuff really - it can even act like a superball.

Crayons: You can't go wrong with a box of crayons.

Stuffed Animals: from Beanie Babies, look-a-likes, WebKinz, and more - stuffed animals have been a favorite for years. My wife and I would get each of our children a stuffed animal every Christmas. They loved to see the new animal they could add to their collection.

Older Children Stuffer Ideas

Gift Cards: These are all the rage these days. What's great is if you're caught in the last minute madness of the gift giving season these offer an easy way out. Wal-Mart, Subway, iTunes, and more all offer gift cards - one thing nice about Wal-Mart is it is a one-stop shop for them. You can find a variety of them from all kinds of stores.

DVDs: Most older children have a TV in their room or access to a computer. DVDs offer a great idea for provding Christmas stocking stuffers to this group.

Other ideas for older children are perfume, cologne, disposable cameras, calendars, and card games.

Adult Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Adults love to open their stockings just as much as children do - plus it's a fun time trying to find just the "right" gift for your loved one:

• Gourmet Chocolate - mmmmm, most ladies can't refuse these tasty treats.
• Scratch off Lottery Tickets (don't forget to cut a deal if they win Big!)
• Holiday Lingerie (men or women who want to be naughty & nice)
• Perfume, Cologne, or AfterShave
• Coffee or Tea
• Digital Photo Frame key chain

As you can see the ideas are limited only by your imagination or the tastes of the gift recipient.

Another idea is to stock up with Christmas Stocking Stuffers for next year by going to the after Christmas sales. It's a great budget saver too.