The Holidays a time meant for getting family and friends together, celebrating, snacking, of coruse. However, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle even with all the Christmas cookies and sweets around. This year, consider gifting your loved ones with small snacks that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrition. From beef sticks to granola bars, we’re here to help you replace the typical candy canes, milk chocolate candy bars, and all that added sugar this year with this gift guide.
A perfect example of a nutrient-rich snack that is perfect for stuffing those stockings while keeping health in mind would be our Beef Jerky. You’ll want to find a snack that’s both healthy and delicious, and maybe even has a sweetness to it, perfect for the Holiday’s. Because of this, we recommend our Old Fashioned Hot and Spicy, in particular. Healthy and delicious, this will be everyone's favorite stocking stuffer. Plus, it even comes in festive red packaging!
To find more delicious and healthy snacks for stocking stuffers, continue reading.
1. Dried Fruit
Pack small bags of dried fruits like apricots, dates, or mango for a naturally sweet and fiber-rich treat. You can even get creative and put them in a mason jar with Christmas decorations tied around them.
Shop at your local grocery store.
2. Dark Chocolate
Opt for high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content, as it's rich in antioxidants and lower in sugar. Plus, everyone loves finding chocolate in their stocking.
Shop on Hu: Dark Chocolate Bars (6 pack) - $36
3. Herbal Tea Tins
Small tins of herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or green tea offer a soothing and hydrating option. During the Holidays David’s Tea comes out with the perfect Holiday flavors in little tins for purchase.
Shop on David’s Tea: Strawberry Matcha Tea Tin - $19
4. Greek Yogurt Covered Berries
Greek yogurt covered berries are a simple and healthy snack that are sure to satisfy your Christmas morning sweet tooth. Make these homemade, put them in a jar, and give them as the perfect stocking stuffer gift!
Find our favorite recipe for Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites on Live Eat Learn.
5. Energy Bites
Another great snack for stocking stuffers are these homemade energy bites. Full of feel-good-ingredients, anyone would be happy to snack on these Christmas morning.
Find our Favorite recipe for No Bake Energy Bites on Gimme Some Oven.
6. Annie’s Fruit Snacks
Opt for gummy candies made from real fruit juice and natural sweeteners for a healthier alternative. Plus, they’re easy to grab from the store and throw in anyone’s stocking for an extra little something.
Shop on Amazon: Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks - $13.61
7. Trail Mix Packs
Create custom trail mix packs with a mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for a balanced and satisfying snack. If making homemade, again, package this in a nice bag and decorate for a cute stocking stuffer gift idea.
Find our favorite Trail Mix recipe on the Healthy Maven
8. Flavored Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn seasoned with herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast offers a light and crunchy snack. Put in your own decorated baggies or mason jars for added appeal.
Find our favorite Flavored Popcorn recipes on Food Network
9. Seaweed Snacks
Crispy seaweed snacks are low in calories and a unique source of minerals, including iodine. Plus, they’re the perfect Christmas pine green color!
Shop on Amazon: Annie Chun's Crispy Organic Seaweed (Pack of 12) - $14.99
10. Chia Seed Packs
Individual packets of chia seeds are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and plant-based protein. These Mamma Chia squeeze packs are the perfect snack to throw in a stocking stuffer or take with you on the go.
Shop on Amazon: Mamma Chia Organic Vitality Squeeze Pack - $17.48
11. Spices and Seasonings
Although spices and seasonings are not necessarily a snack, small jars of quality spices like cinnamon, turmeric, or chili powder can add flavor and health benefits to meals. Delicious and healthy, these spices are guaranteed to make a cute and healthy addition to any stocking this Christmas.
Shop at your local grocery store.
12. Squeeze Pouches of Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce pouches are a portable and naturally sweet option that's great for both kids and adults.
Shop on Amazon: GoGo SqueeZ Fruit on the Go (Pack of 18) - $11.09
13. Gift Cards
Gift cards are a classic Christmas gift when you’re not exactly positive what someone may want. Grab some gift cards to local health food stores, juice bars, or fitness classes to provide the opportunity to choose their own healthy treats!
Shop at your local grocery store.
14. Bare Apple Chips
Apples are a classic symbol of health and holiday generosity. Including apple chips in stockings is something that will
Shop on Amazon: Bare Gluten Free Organic Apple Chips - $6.99
15. Greek Yogurt Covered Cranberry Raisins
Cranberry is an iconic flavor during winter and especially around Christmas time. These tasty treats are loved by everyone, easy to pack in a stocking, and will really put the receiver in the Christmas spirit.
Shop on Amazon: Ocean Spray Greek Yogurt Dipped Cranberry Bites (Pack of 12) - $27.20
16. Justin's Peanut Butter Cups
These Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect replacement for Reeces because they are just as delicious (if not more), and much healthier for you. Give your friends and family the best tasty yet healthy stocking stuffer gift with this one.
Shop on Justin’s: Mini Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - $6.59
17. YumEarth Gummy Bears
Another popular candy dupe are these YumEarth Gummy Bears. Although Gummy bears aren't necessarily a Christmas snack, they’re still one of the most popular snacks out there, and now they’re even made organic, gluten-free, etc.
Shop on Amazon: YumEarth Organic Fruit Flavored Gummy Bears - $7.99
18. Theo’s Chocolate Bars
There is actually nothing more iconic than getting some sort of chocolate bar in your stocking Christmas morning. The Pure 85% Dark Chocolate from Theo’s is organic and has only 4g of sugar total. They are the perfect sweet treat for this Christmas season.
Shop on Theo Chocolate: Pure 85% Dark Chocolate - $4.49
19. Beef Jerky
Our personal favorite on the list is our Old Fashioned Hot & Spicy beef jerky. Already wrapped in nice red packaging, it’ll be the recipient's favorite Christmas stocking stuffer gift. Our Old Fashioned jerky is high in protein, keto approved, soy free, gluten free, and sugar free. There’s not really much you can ask for when it comes to this beefy treat. Don't forget to try our beef sticks with less sugar and fewer calories, too.
Shop on People’s Choice Beef Jerky: Old Fashioned Hot & Spicy - $6.99
20. Healthy Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate mix is also an extremely fun snack to share during the Holidays because of how cold it gets; however, it’s not always the healthiest thing. In order to still get that yummy hot chocolate taste with the added health benefits, make your own at home! This way you know exactly what’s going in it and you can personalize it for whoever you’re creating it for.
Find the recipe on Wellness Mama
21. Canned Cold Brew
Who doesn’t love coffee? Especially on Christmas morning when you’re getting woken up at 7am to open gifts. One of our favorite brands is High Brew coffee. This Black and Bold flavor is the perfect gift because it is crisp and refreshing and only has 20 calories.
Shop on High Brew: Black and Bold 12 Pack - $28
22. Organic DelishFish
DelishFish are another twist on the iconic candies everyone knows from their childhood: Swedish fish! These candies are sure to bring a certain nostalgia to your Christmas morning. Sweetened with organic cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, they’re one of our favorite stocking stuffer ideas that are both healthy and delicious.
Shop on Surf Sweets: Organic DelishFish - $5.99
23. Organic Chewy Candies
The last twist on iconic candy that you’d normally find in your holiday stocking during Christmas time are these organic chewy candies. They are basically starbursts, but without all the junk and filler. Plus, they’re individually wrapped if you want to customize how you package them up and give them out.
Shop on Lovely Candy Store: Organic Chewy Candies - $6.99
Bottom Line
When assembling your healthy stocking stuffers, consider portion sizes and preferences. You can mix and match these snacks to create a personalized assortment that suits each person's taste. Remember, the goal is to provide a balance between festive treats and nutritious options to make the holiday season both joyful and health-conscious. A perfect example of this is our Beef Jerky. Choose from our fun and more creative flavors in our Test Kitchen line, to classic dried and true flavors of our Old Fashioned.
By choosing these nutrient-rich snacks, you're not only spreading holiday cheer but also promoting wellness among your friends and family. This year, let's redefine the stocking stuffer tradition by embracing the goodness of wholesome treats that can be enjoyed guilt-free.
