Unique Christmas gift ideas: Stocking fillers

Like our beloved V&A shop, the Tate's online store is full of lovely gifts, particularly arty ones for children. This, however, is one for the well-dressed fridge.

Portraits Magnet Set, £10
By Julian Opie
Buy online at tate.org.uk Photograph: PR

Lazy Oaf are an independent graphic and illustration label selling everything from tea towels to sunglasses, via tuxedo-print dresses - and some very festive puns.

Tea towel, £8
By Lazy Oaf
Buy online at lazyoaf.co.uk Photograph: PR

Embrace the inner child with a retro wind-up motorbike. Added bonus: no petrol costs, never needs an MOT and minimal danger of accidents.

Wind-up motorcycle, £7.50
By Graham & Green
Buy online at grahamandgreen.co.uk Photograph: PR

Although a very reasonable price, there's something very indulgent and luxurious about finding jewellery in your Christmas stocking (or so we imagine). These lovely little drop clusters are made from brass and glass, under fair trade conditions in India.

Cluster earrings, £9
By Manumit
Buy online at fashion-conscience.com Photograph: PR

Fairtrade certified, handmade in the UK, the tins are recycled aluminium ... surely the most impeccably ethical stocking filler you could hope to find. Squeaky clean, in fact.

Soap in a tin, £4.85
By Bubble & Balm
Buy online at bubbleandbalm.co.uk Photograph: PR

This little mirror measures just over 5cm in diameter, so is perfect for makeup bags, pockets and Christmas stockings. Warning: once you start browsing Etsy, you will be sucked in for a considerable time.

Fox mirror, £3.90
By Alice Potter
Buy online at etsy.com Photograph: PR

For those who appreciate the simple things in life, these nutcrackers will make a lovely gift, together with a large sack of walnuts, and preferably a roaring fire. In fact, the RE website has a whole fireside range, which includes a giant French cup - perfect for cocoa.

Nut crackers, £9.50
By RE
Buy online at re-foundobjects.com Photograph: Alicia Canter/Guardian

A useful yet charming stocking filler, these fairly traded tape measures would be perfect for a crafty type, or just someone who prefers a DIY kit that's not made of rusty metal. There's also a sweet owl measure on the site for £3.75, or if you are feeling really festive, a robin and a Christmas pudding set for £7.50.

Measuring tapes, £7.50 for set
By Traidcraft
Buy online at traidcraftshop.co.uk Photograph: PR

These charming seed markers are made from broken china plates, drawn on with ceramic ink and glued to the wood stake (which again, comes from other people's junk). They are made individually to order, so you can cater for pea and potato growers. Esther Coombs also puts her striking prints on cushions, tea pots and salt and pepper sets.

Upcycled seed markers, £7
By Esther Coombs
Buy online at notonthehighstreet.com Photograph: PR

This is bliss in a little bottle, shambhala being a Sanskrit word meaning place of bliss, of course. Each pocket-sized bottle contains a blend of essential oils to suit a particular mood. Browse the website for more sweet-smelling gift ideas, although you're likely to be tempted to book an exotic spa holiday ... You have been warned.

Aromatherapy balms, £5 each
By Como Shambhala
Buy online at shop.como.bz Photograph: PR

The Rock'n'Rose site is a treasure trove of quirky jewellery. Moustache necklaces, cake rings and here, the perfect stocking filller for a Scrabble lover. You can chose from any letter - and fortunately for Xanthes and Zeinas, the price for even the high-value letters remains the same ...

Scrabble ring, £8
By Rock'n'Rose
Buy online at rocknrose.bigcartel.com Photograph: PR

By Christmas afternoon, the turkey will be dissected, the sherry finished, the chocolate box down to the nougats and the conversation becoming fractious. So give someone the chance to retreat into a classic tome. Mind you, if they read the Machiavelli, the arguments could get really ugly ...

Great Ideas book series, £4.99 each
By Penguin
Buy online at penguin.co.uk Photograph: PR

A bit of stationery always goes down well in a stocking (or so Father Christmas tells us). Lisa Stickley's lovely retro prints make this simple notebook set a great choice.

Notebook set, £10
By Lisa Stickley
Buy online at lisastickleylondon.com Photograph: PR

This is eggsactly the right gift for a foodie's stocking: the cosy owl will keep their hard-boiled eggs just warm un oeuf.

Owl egg cosy, £10
By The Black Rabbit
Buy online at rubylovesred.com Photograph: PR

This is what Christmas is really about - a fun family game that everyone can join in with. In this Mexican version of bingo, the caller may choose to read a riddle relating to each picture, but you'll probably have enough fun struggling to pronounce names like "El Valiente" and "El Borracho", especially if you've had a sherry or two. The first to fill their card shouts "loteria!", not "house!", OK, Auntie Maud?

Loteria Mexican bingo, £6
By RE
Buy online at re-foundobjects.com Photograph: Alicia Canter/Guardian

A very sweet little stocking filler that will also keep winter chapped lips at bay. Spiezia make really nice organic products on their farm in Cornwall, and have put together some beautiful Christmas gift sets too.

Organic lip balm, £7.50
By Spiezia
Buy online at spieziaorganics.com Photograph: packshot factory/PR