Its great for finding unique, budget-conscious host gifts too.

Sifting through the stocking loot always proved fun, especially since there were lots of sweets.

In shiny silver-and-purple foil, there were violet mints.

Cozy living room decorated for Christmas

For a fragrant mantel finish, bake citrus slices low and slow in the oven and string them together with twine (and an occasional dab of hot glue).Credit:Brie Williams

Tartan-printed wrappers concealed Walkers shortbread cookies.

And Haribo gummies arrived in assorted colors and shapes that Id never seen at The Pig.

For my sisters and me, the treats stashed in our stockings started the morning on a magical note.

These were the kinds of things that wouldsurelybe found only in Santas workshop.

Instead, my moms stocking stuffer secret was a hair more commercial: World Market.

In other words, its the perfect place to stuff your stockings or amp up the gift closet stash.

Go figure: Mama (and Santa) really do know best.