What goes into the perfectly stuffed stocking?

It was Christmas morning in the early 1940s. A young Carmen Sandmeier awoke anxiously, eager to uncover the contents of her Christmas stocking. Each item was wrapped in colored tissue and she unwrapped each one with care.

Fudge.

Gingerbread cookies in the shape of little men.

Peppermint sticks.

Apples.

Oranges.

Shelled peanuts.

Though it was 1940 and the surprises were homemade treats — not iPhones or Wii games — the excitement Sandmeier, 75, felt as she peeled away the layers of paper is still vivid in her memory.

"We really thought we had the best at the time," said Sandmeier, a Lodi resident. "It was a family thing."

In those days, instead of using stockings, her family used boxes. It's a tradition that continues today. Her 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren have always received her special stockings in a box. One, who is 22 and a firefighter in training, even called to make sure grandma would have a stocking for him when he visited.

Since the stocking tradition began — when Old Saint Nick placed toys in children's socks drying over the fireplace on Christmas, as rumor has it — the mystery and charm of stockings has been a favorite part of Christmas.

While discovering what's hidden in your own stocking is exciting at any age, helping Santa fill someone else's stocking is just as much fun.

The key to filling a stocking is showing the recipients individuality, personalizing the gifts based on their interests. It's a way to show you're thinking of them. Are you filling a stocking for someone who's athletic, a bookworm, a lover of art, a mother, a golfer, a new driver, a movie buff, a foodie, a college student? Do they have secret interests like weight lifting, blogging, playing guitar, knitting, making YouTube videos? What do you know that someone else might not? Thing about their big hobbies, and then shop. Usually, you shop on a smaller scale.

Fail-Proof Stocking Stuffers

Candy! Get a wide assortment, like Brach's or Ghiradelli, ones you don't usually buy throughout the year.
Mandarin oranges and nuts. They may seem simple, but they're fun and classic. You can throw in a sprinkling of whole walnuts or a jar of peanuts or cashews.
Timeless toys. No matter if you have 12 grandchildren, or if you are the youngest of the grandchildren, who doesn't love playing with timeless toys like Slinkies and Silly Putty.
Magazines. This is where you can get really personal. Browse a large bookstore and look for magazines that might not be mainstream, but will fit your recipient. For the organic eater, there is "Clean Eating." For the writer, buy "Zoetrope: All Story" or "Poets and Writers." For the artsy feminist, try "Bust" or "VenusZine."
Batteries. Who doesn't need them?
CD or DVD. Some may opt to wrap these semi-expensive gifts, but giving
classic Christmas movie will only add to the Christmas spirit.

Once you choose a few personalized items, think of practical and tasty additions. No matter if the recipient is nine or 90, sweets are a way to go. Choose candy most people don't buy for themselves — like Brach's taffy or a chocolate orange. If you're a baker, follow Sandmeier's tradition of baked ginerbread cookies and fudge.

Practical is great too. Batteries. Pens and pencils. Candles. Rolls of quarters for your college student who uses the laundramat. Lotery tickets.

While gift cards might seem like the easy way to go, $5 to their favorite café, a $10 iTunes card or movie tickets are always a nice surprise.

For her:

Engraved business card holder, personalized travel mug, gift card to her favorite salon or spa, paperback book, paints and mini canvases, perfume, CDs, jewelry.

For him:

Fishing lures, oil change or car wash gift certificates, tool attachments, tide guide, razors, CDs, nuts

For the foodie:

Sausage and cheese, cocoa mix, variety pack of different coffees and teas, a collection of utensils (plastic spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.), recipe cards.

For the practical person:

Pens, pencils, Post-It in a variety of colors and shapes, candles, personalized address labels, roll of quarters for laundry, lottery tickets, stamps

For the outdoorsman:

Chapstick, waterproof disposable camera, granola bars, compass, self-heating hot chocolate or coffee (such as Hilside or Wolfgang Puck grounds).

For the world traveler:

English toffee, Japanese tea set, Swiss chocolate, travel journal, folding maps, National Geographic subscription.

For the book lover:

Gift card to favorite coffee shop or reading spot, paperback book, booklight with clip, notebook, pen, new headphones for their iPod.

For the "green" enthusiast:

Organic, fair-trade candy; corn-based mug; recycled notebook and pen; bumper stickers promoting environmental awareness; adoption papers for an animal from the National Wildlife Federation.

For Lassie:

Rawhide treats, pig ears, cow hooves, a new dog collar or leash, bath soap, wire brush or doggie boots.

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