When was the last time you put up a stocking for Christmas? I certainly am too old to put one up tonight, but if I were to do that, I would put into practice what a group of researchers have “discovered” in an attempt to see just how efficiently you can stuff a stocking. After all, if you’re going to do something, might as well do it right, right?
So this group of researchers probably got tired of being frustrated when stuffing stockings and ending up not having enough space. Armed with M&Ms and some D&D dice, they set out to discover the best way to put things in a stocking.
Their conclusion? Forget toys and trinkets that are shaped oddly. Never mind that the shape is not the first thing that comes to mind when you choose toys/gifts to give the kids. If efficiency is what you are after, then all you should buy for stocking stuffers are those that are spherical in shape.
The scientists – a curious bunch who had nothing else to do – found out that if you simply throw everything in a stocking without putting much thought into it, you can utilize up to 64 per cent of the space. If, however, you are meticulous about it, you can use up to 74 per cent! How neat is that?1
You still have time to fix things in case you’re already tearing your hair out because of those darned stockings. Go get M&Ms or chocolate balls wrapped in bright foil. Just wrap those other toys in something else. Nothing beats a nicely stuffed Christmas stocking, right? ;)
For those of you who want the concrete details, download the study on Platonic Solids.
- I honestly can’t see myself bothering about this, but you never know who will want the details. [↩]
