Stocking Stuffers:

• EcoTools Bamboo Brushes: I love these brushes! They’re bamboo and natural bristle, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. I found these at Target, and they feel GREAT on the skin. If you or someone special you’re buying for is into mineral makeup, EcoTools has a set of kabuki brushes as well!

• Makeup sets are always a hit especially when they’re pinching pennies, going to school and working. There’s something a little decadent about getting a set at Christmas and some of their favorite brands (MAC and Clinique) always come out with something fun (last year they got false eyelash kits!)

• Roll-on perfume: growing up in the ’70s I remember roll-on fragrance and now it’s back and sooo convenient to keep in your purse. How about something like… Juicy Couture’s Couture Couture available at Sephora?

• Rosebud salve, their lips are always, always, always chapped and I can’t keep them in lip balm. Smith’s Rosebud Salve has been a staple for pretty much every stocking and Easter basket since they were little.

• Earrings, studs and hoops are always needed and I stock up on the basics especially in silver.

• Inkjet cartridges: I know this doesn’t sound glamorous but inkjet cartridges are expensive and one of my daughters is a design student so, she just might get cartridges in her stocking.

• Phone covers, fun and something they wouldn’t treat themselves to and practical. Check out these funky covers from SwitchEasy

• Knitted laptop sleeves, like the ones I saw on Etsy! Awesome, and I thought, OMG, how cool, and then I wondered if with a beginning skill set in knitting I could pull these off — stay tuned,

• Gift Card’s from Starbucks, Target, Anthropology, iTunes: all of these come in handy throughout the year and give them the feeling they can shop without dipping into their savings. My husband feels these are impersonal, but the girls LOVE getting them.

• Magazine subscriptions: these are relatively inexpensive and offer up a nice break once a month, a little treat that once again they wouldn’t purchase for themselves.

• Eyebrow and lip wax, a perennial favorite from their preferred salon.

• And a specific request this year, fleece: jackets/vests. I’d like to investigate good quality jackets at a reasonable price point. Will look at Lands End, but are there others I should consider? GAP?

I suppose, given the broohaha of the last few months and all the feelings stirred up by the FTC, I must fully disclose that to date, I’ve made nothing, nada, zip, zero on my blogs. I’m just getting started and I’m stretching my gray matter and I just want to concentrate on writing. So, this is not a sponsored review.

Okay, here goes — I really love my Dove Go Fresh Collection in Cucumber & Green Tea — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, deodorant and body spray. I’ve gotten more compliments and “what are you wearing?” and “you smell good” from this combo than any expensive perfume I have ever worn. Now when I think about it, I can honestly say, we’re in belt-tightening mode. Both my husband and I are self-employed, trying to ride out this bad economy with one in college and one on the way. Bring on the Dove…

But the truth is, I started using this combination long before the recession hit and I have to say, I love the smell and the freshness. It’s relatively inexpensive and yes, I’ll say it several times, it’s GREEN, a trend you’ll see in my favorite things as it’s always been my favorite color. I have no idea if it’s green in terms of the environment. GoodGuide is rating this product line at 7.1 compared to their best entries in the high 8’s.

And I have to admit, there’s some kind of psychology in buying a suite or “set” of products. It feels luxurious regardless of its price point. I seem to remember they offered travel sets which would make awesome stocking stuffers. I will link out to the product line in the event you want to see what it looks like. I imagine they are sold in drugstores and grocery stores, nation-wide.

This may not be the most inspiring first entry and certainly not the latest and greatest discovery by a frugal mom, but hey, they are my favorite things right?