Wow, lots of great ideas. My stepson always said that he looked forward to the stockings because I came up with such funny or unusual things that he had never seen before. We're cutting back also and haven't done a stocking for the big kids only the grandkids.
I always get the chocolate candy that is each kids favorite. I buy a small gift that's nice (wallet or money clip for the guys and manicure set for the girls). Then I would get gadgets from the kitchen specialty stores that were unusual and nice for the girls and something silly for the guys.
Here's a website I use for the silly stuff
http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com/ I also like this one for the older girls gift ideas
http://www.solutions.com/
Happy hunting.