As a kid, one of my favorite things about Christmas was the stocking. It hung there empty for so many days and nights before magically filling with a seemingly endless supply of small gifts and treats. As a mother, that excitement is there still there, as I find myself putting a lot of thought into which goodies I’ll stuff it with on Christmas Eve.
When I was younger, two things I could always count on finding in my stocking were an orange (in the toe, of course) and a toothbrush. Whoever started the toothbrush-in-the-stocking tradition is pretty smart because, as any parent will tell you, getting kids excited about brushing their teeth isn’t easy. And what better way to stoke that excitement than by giving a toothbrush as a gift from Santa Claus?
When I spotted the Dora the Explorer Colgate Holiday Packs recently at Walmart, I knew our little Dora wannabe would love it. But wait, it’s one of those battery-powered toothbrushes and she’s two-and-a-half years old. After a little research, I learned that most experts agree that she’s not only more than old enough for an electric toothbrush, but the electric brushes can actually make brushing time more fun and enjoyable for tots.
The Colgate Holiday Pack comes in several varieties, including Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Squarepants. Obviously, we’d be getting the Dora toothbrush. It also comes with a “mild bubble fruit” flavor toothpaste. Can someone explain to me why grown-up toothpaste doesn’t come in yummy flavors like that?
In my hunt for stocking stuffers and gift ideas, I came across this margarita kit. I wonder if it’ll fit in my stocking? If not, maybe I should get a bigger stocking!
When our little one was napping, I stuffed her stocking with a few things I had bought that day: some Play-Doh, a Little People car, an orange, the Dora toothbrush and, of course, some candy. This year was her first with candy as a regular part of her treats diet (grammy loves to spoil her with peanut butter cups), so the toothbrush will be a great way to teach her about the importance of combining good oral hygiene with sweet treats. You can find my entire shopping experience on Google+.
For more info about Colgate’s kid-friendly products, feel free to follow them on Twitter or Facebook.
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Colgate. All opinions are my own. #CBias #HolidaySmiles #SocialFabric
My kids always get a toothbrush in their stocking. These are cute.
Sorry I have putty brain. I saw that on my recent posts. These are great for stocking stuffers. I love that you get them both in the pack.
They’re cheap too, which is one reason I love them so much!
my boys love character tooth brushes =]
They need to make character tooth brushes for adults! Like one with a picture of channing tatum. 🙂
This is honestly a great idea. I always think of small toys and candies as stocking fillers, I think this is a great way to remind them to brush their teeth. It’s probably fun too if it’s a favorite character of them.
Agree! Our little one hated brushing her teeth until she got a dora one. I’m hoping she’ll do a much better job with the battery operated one as well.
These are a great stocking stuffer idea! Such a good reminder that extra brushing is needed with all the sugary treats around the holidays
Definitely! And having fun characters on them make it more fun I think!
I love the battery operated brushes – I think the kids brush longer with them and their teeth get much cleaner, plus it’s easier on the gums. Great idea!
I love them too! I think teeth definitely do get cleaner with the battery operated ones!
Toothbrushes always, candy, socks and underwear……..Mine are 30yrs old and 23yrs old…..We all get the same in our stockings……….
Socks! Great idea!
I love Colgate and LOVE the holiday gift packs. They are wonderful for promoting good oral hygiene!
These are so cute! It’s a shame my lil diva is a little too “grown” for Dora toothbrushes – I miss those days! Great shop!
I always loved the toothbrush too! They make such great ones for kids now!
my son loves toothbrushes I will have to pick him up a Spongebob one
I would love the Margarita Gift Set!
Very cute ideas. Dental health is so important. But I love the Margarita Gift Set too!
What a great idea! I put toothbrushes in my kids stockings, but these are cute packages they would love!
What a great stocking stuff idea! My son is getting one of these!
I love Colgate and all their awesome products! I might need to put some of the Dora Holiday Packs in our stockings this year!
My kids are so jealous of my husband’s spin brush. I need some!
We always use Tooth brushes and tooth paste as a stocking stuffer! I love the characters of these! I may have to get some this year.
This would be great to scrub all the sugar away!! THanks for the idea
I thought I was the only one that put new toothbrushes in the stockings! lol Santa gets them from the toothfairy to give to the kids… 🙂 Thanks for sharing the gift packs. Will be on my list!
Okay, second amazing post suggesting these for holiday gifts, and I am going out and buying a few tomorrow! I know my little ones will absolutely love this, they are crazy about brushing their teeth.
Your childhood stocking sounds a whole lot like mine lol! My grandma used to send us oranges (yum!) and grapefruit (ick!) from Florida every year… Mom ate the grapefruit, and the rest of us ate the oranges lol! The toothbrushes are SO cute! I see 2 little boys with Spongebob toothbrushes in their stockings this year!
The Colgate packaging is so cute!
It is a VERY good stocking stuffer idea! Rather than giving chocolates or anything sweet… My little one loves toothbrushes especially electric ones! Lol
My kids gets these every year in their stockings.
I would have never thought about adding a toothbrush to my boys’ stockings!! But it does sound like something I should do!