About Jennifer Hughes
Ottawa City Editor Jennifer Hughes has an ongoing love affair with design, art, fashion and food that began many years ago with redecorating her dollhouse or staging impromptu Barbie fashion shows. Now she unearths the best of the above in our vibrant capital city.
The Sweetest Stocking Surprises
capital city scene: stocking stuffers ottawa, canada
(Dec.14.11)
Everyone knows that stockings are the best part of Christmas morning. It’s a long-standing tradition in my family to get a mandarin orange in the toe, but beyond that, you never know what surprises might be waiting inside. I hope Santa’s reading this, because I’d love to find any of these 10 failsafe stocking stuffers in mine.
1. Perfume
I’d be happy with a little bottle of something sweet-smelling in my stocking. Jo Malone’s White Jasmine & Mint is a light floral fragrance I’ll never tire of.
2. Nail polish
Little bottles of polish are the perfect size for tucking into a sock on Christmas Eve. I’d suggest at least two or three colours for maximizing the fun factor.
3. Chocolate
No stocking is complete without chocolate. It’s just that simple. Forgo the cheap foil-wrapped coins and go for something a little more luxe. Local artisanal chocolatiers like koko or Rochef would be a nice touch.
4. Socks
Socks have been a stocking mainstay for me since childhood (thanks to my always-practical mom). Bonus points for good, warm ones or at least non-holiday-themed ones.
5. Magazine
Bring on the celebrity gossip rags. Or quality reads like the latest Flare.
6. Ornament
There is an ornament out there now for every interest or décor.
7. Gift card
This was always a tradition in my family as well. These days, it’s usually an iTunes card (rather than a CD, which up until a few years ago was also a standard).
8. Jewellery
There’s no need for the jewellery to be expensive, but a little sparkle is always appropriate. Bonus points if it comes in a little blue box.
9. Book
A paperback novel is a lovely treat for reading over the holidays. I’m really behind on my reading, so just about anything would work well. Perhaps I’ll suggest Sarah’s Key to Santa this year.
10. Hand cream
This trio of mini hand creams from L’Occitane is the perfect stocking stuffer. ’Tis the season for dry, chapped hands, and this set offers one for my purse, one for beside my bed and one next to the kitchen sink.
What’s your favourite goody to pull out of a stocking on Christmas morning?