Call it the season of the stocking. With the tower of presents around the tree scaled back this year, let the stockings pick up the slack, bulging with inexpensive goodies. Here are nine ideas to fill stockings -- some practical and some whimsical, but all more creative than stuffing a few bucks in the stocking top and calling it Christmas Eve.

Please don't use it now It's just not an American Christmas without an "As Seen on TV" present. Chia pets and the Clapper notwithstanding, a really good choice this year is the PedEgg ($10 in white or black at Walgreens and other drugstores and discounters). Better than a pumice stone and cheaper than a pedicure, it works. Even Consumer Reports dubbed it one of its favorite products of the year. Gently tell Uncle Roy to wait until he's home to try it.

I'm only trying to protect your identity It's a good day when the paper shredder isn't jammed. For the other 360 days, try these shredding scissors ($9, the Container Store, Edina, 952-831-3780).

Tattoos for seniors Ever notice the befuddled guy in the grocery store with the "What was I supposed to get again?" look? Buy him or her the "To-Do Tattoo kit" ($4, Goodthings, Maple Grove 763-494-9255, White Bear Lake, 651-426-8006). Apply the graphic to-do form on the hand or another body part needing attention and fill in the lines with a skin-safe washable-ink gel pen.

Not to worry, they'll know what it is Kids are always losing the stylus needed to play touch-screen games on the world's most popular video-game system, Nintendo DS. A three-pack of replacements not only is useful and inexpensive, but also might make adults look a bit hipper in youngsters' eyes. ($6.50-$8 at Best Buy, Target and GameStop). The stylus is exclusive to Nintendo DS. Skip it if the recipient only plays Wii or PlayStation.

Splatter screen for the microwave With all of the gadget-y items manufactured by Maverick Ventures of St. Louis, nothing has generated as much interest as the Microwave Splatter Screen ($3, Storables, Edina, 952-831-5600). Instead of putting disposable Saran wrap or paper towels over containers, the washable rayon mesh screen is reusable and FDA-approved for food contact. Rinse clean or launder.

Travel wallet When the locale seems a little too "exotic" and your wallet is best left in the hotel safe, bring along the Bungee Card Case ($6, S. Clein, St. Louis Park, 952-920-7297). Slip in a few bills, some plastic and a business card with the hotel address on it and you're good to go. Made of aluminum with a plastic cap safely secured on top with a bungee cord.

Free-for-all version of Scrabble The game Bananagrams ($16, Goodthings, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. com) is similar to Scrabble, but all players turn over their tiles simultaneously and create their own individual crossword (which can be constantly rearranged). When a player has no remaining letters, he or she says "Peel," and all players take a letter from the "bunch." Once there are fewer tiles left in the bunch than players, the first player with no remaining letters wins after saying "Bananas."

A Silly Straw to go with your Silly String? If the recipient tells you, "This gift sucks," it's probably a compliment. The Silly Straw ($3, Paper Source, Minneapolis, 612-377-0700) can be made into eyeglasses or the shape of choice. Suck-sational!

Smarter than a gizmo? First, adults had to prove they're smarter than a fifth-grader. Now they can match wits with the artificial intelligence of a hand-held gizmo. Think of something and the new, improved 20Q by Radicagames.com ($22, Restoration Hardware, Edina 952-926-5557, St. Paul 651-228-3033) will guess what it is within 20 questions. If not, you win. The sales associate at RH, who seemed bright, said that she has never won after playing more than 25 times. For ages 8 and up; also available at toy and discount stores.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 • jewoldt@startribune.com