Decorating your home with Christmas stockings helps to make your spaces feel warm and cozy… not to mention extremely inviting! Christmas stockings come in all different sizes, fabrics, styles, and colors, it is a matter of finding what is ideal for your holiday decor. Stockings can be used to decorate all sorts of different spaces, from your Christmas mantel to your walls, doors, and staircases.
You can purchase stockings from a store or you can make them yourself by using old sweaters, adding embellishments to basic stockings, they can be hand knit or they can be put together with pieces of fabric. There are numerous inspiring ideas to get a unique look that is completely personalized for you and your family. Stockings are the perfect addition to garland, they can decorate your bed, and be used as table decor, or chair decor, you can add small gifts into them or fill them with candies and chocolate, let your creativity inspire you (or the pictures below!)
If you don’t have a mantel, there are plenty of ideas to still hang your stockings with care. Have a look below through the ideas to be inspired to create a cozy Christmas decorated home!
Tell Us: Do you have a family tradition when it comes to your Christmas stockings? Which one of these ideas would you love to try in your own home? Let us know in the Comments below!
How to Hang and Style Christmas Stockings
- Space them evenly. Measure your mantel and divide the space between your stockings so they hang at the same distance apart, leaving a little room at each end.
- Choose the right holders. Weighted stocking holders sit on top of the mantel with no nails needed, while Command hooks work well under the edge of a mantel or shelf.
- Help them hang nicely. Stuff stockings with tissue paper so they keep their shape, then tuck in sprigs of greenery, pinecones, or a few ornaments peeking out of the top.
- Coordinate with your decor. Repeat a color or texture from your garland, tree, or room, like plaid, cable-knit, or velvet. They don’t need to match, but repeating one color keeps the look pulled together.
- Personalize them. Add name tags, embroidered cuffs, or monogrammed holders so each family member has their own.
- Keep them safe. Take stockings down or move them away from the opening before lighting a fire.
1. Make Whimsical DIY Elf Stockings.
These playful elf stockings with curled toes are made from a mix of retro-inspired fabrics in soft pastels, trimmed with pom-poms, ruffles, and felt flowers. Strung with twine across the mantel, they make this holiday space feel so cheerful. (Photo Credit: My Cakies)
2. Let Kids Decorate Stockings.
Red velvet stockings get a Christmasy makeover with felt polka dots, a Santa belt, and felt flowers with jingle bells. This is a wonderful holiday craft project to do with the kids! (Photo Credit: DIY Network)
3. Burlap Stockings With Antique Brooches.
Neutral burlap and linen stockings feature folded cuffs embellished with antique brooches and buttons. With gold accents on the mantel, they create an elegant look. (Photo Credit: Pinterest)
4. Try Scandinavian-Style Plywood Stockings.
DIY plywood stockings offer a Scandinavian aesthetic to your holiday decor scheme. The use of wood infuses warmth into the space, and they are magnetic, so they can easily be taken down when the holidays are over. (Photo Credit: HGTV)
5. Add Button-Trimmed Cuffs.
These gorgeous stockings in soft blues, creams, and taupes feature striped cuffs trimmed with buttons. Filled with greenery and plush puppies, they look so inviting below a lush pine garland with twinkle lights. (Photo Credit: South House Designs)
6. Burlap Coffee Sack Stockings.
Burlap coffee sack stockings offer a vintage vibe to your holiday mantel, featuring sprigs of greenery (which can be fresh, dried or fake) peeking out of the top. Gifts can be hidden below so peeking eyes don’t ruin the surprise until it is time to open the stockings. (Photo Credit: Holly Mathis)
7. Sew Ruffled Polka Dot Stockings.
Gray and white polka dot stockings with ruffled cuffs are easy to sew and personalize. Filled with silver ornaments and hung from monogrammed stocking holders, they make a beautiful display. These silver snowflake stocking holders would also look lovely with this wintry palette. (Photo Credit: Fynes Designs)
8. Personalize Ticking Stripe Stockings.
Classic red and white ticking stripes are a timeless choice for the holidays. These stockings feature embroidered names on the cuffs, with charming carved Santa stocking holders on the mantel above. (Photo Credit: Horchow)
9. Mix Patterns and Leopard Print.
Have fun mixing polka dots, stripes, plaid, and leopard print for a playful look. Each of these personalized stockings has its own style, while the red and green color palette ties them all together. (Photo Credit: Ballard Designs)
10. Trim Bold Patterns With Pom-Poms.
Bright red and lime green damask, harlequin, and chevron fabrics are trimmed with white pom-poms for a cheerful twist on traditional Christmas colors. The free stocking pattern makes it easy to sew your own! (Photo Credit: Positively Splendid)
11. Leather Stockings on a Branch.
A rustic-industrial holiday can be decorated with custom leather stockings. Strung off a branch against a wall, this is the perfect idea for those of us that do not have a fireplace but still want to hang Christmas stockings. (Photo Credit: HGTV)
TIP: No Mantel? No Problem!
- Mount a wooden dowel or a length of copper pipe on the wall and clip your stockings to it.
- Drape garland along your staircase railing and tie stockings to the spindles with ribbon.
- Hang them from an entryway bench, a bookshelf, or a large mirror.
- Slim stocking holders can sit on a bookshelf, console table, or sideboard too.
12. Add Some Whoville Whimsy.
These fun felt stockings with curled toes, polka dots, and pom-pom trim look like they came straight out of Whoville! The lime green and red color combination is so festive. (Photo Credit: Being Genevieve)
13. Woodland Stockings for Kids.
Personalized stockings featuring woodland animals, owls, and a fairy are a sweet choice for the kids. Hung from a rustic stone fireplace with a pine garland and antlers, they create a cozy cabin feel. (Photo Credit: Pottery Barn Kids)
14. Burlap Stockings With Striped Cuffs.
This burlap stocking features a red and white striped cuff with pom-pom trim and a red snowflake appliqué. It is a simple DIY project with a free tutorial. (Photo Credit: Craft Passion)
15. Mix Neutral Paisley and Stripes.
Paisley, houndstooth, and stripes in warm neutral tones make a sophisticated combination. Button-trimmed cuffs and wax-sealed name tags add a lovely finishing touch. (Photo Credit: South House Designs)
16. Simple White Quilted Stockings.
White quilted stockings are simple and elegant, with round name tags and sprigs of boxwood peeking out of the top. They are perfect for a classic or farmhouse-style holiday home. (Photo Credit: Etsy)
17. Mix Faux Fur and Flannel.
Cozy faux fur and black and white flannel come together in these stunning stockings. Cream poinsettias and glittery sprigs add a touch of glam. (Photo Credit: Girl Inspired)
18. Cozy Up With Cable-Knit Stockings.
Cream cable-knit and patterned sweater stockings look right at home on this stone fireplace, with antlers and a crackling fire giving it a rustic lodge feel. (Photo Credit: Pottery Barn)
19. Add Burlap Bows and Buttons.
Cream and white stockings get a farmhouse touch with burlap bows, burlap cuffs, and wooden buttons. Hung with jute loops from simple hooks, they are both charming and understated. (Photo Credit: Burlap Babe)
20. Use a Curtain Rod.
Try using a curtain rod to hang your holiday stockings with care! (Photo Credit: Maison de Pax)
21. Bring Back the Sock Monkey.
Personalized sock monkey stockings are such a sweet, nostalgic choice for the whole family, including the dog! Each one has its own little sock monkey dressed for the holidays. (Photo Credit: Personal Creations)
22. Fun Character Stockings for Everyone.
Colorful felt appliqué stockings featuring a cardinal, bear, angel, reindeer, and penguin let each family member pick their favorite character. Personalized with names, they are a great choice for a large family. (Photo Credit: Garnet Hill)
23. Go Whimsical With Curled-Toe Stockings.
These stockings with curled toes, swirls, jingle bells, and a glittering star are full of personality and sure to make everyone smile! (Photo Credit: The Budget Decorator)
24. Mix Houndstooth and Plaid.
Houndstooth, plaid, and tweed stockings with red monogrammed cuffs and brown ribbon bows bring a handsome, tailored look to the mantel. (Photo Credit: Horchow)
25. Dress Up the Staircase.
This festive staircase features boxwood garland, paper cones filled with sprigs of boxwood and holiday stockings. (Photo Credit: Style at Home)
26. Choose Classic Velvet Stockings.
Red, green, ivory, and plaid velvet stockings with embroidered names are a timeless classic. Candles, pinecones, and gold ornaments line the mantel above. (Photo Credit: Pottery Barn)
27. Rustic Fur-Trimmed Plaid Stockings.
If you are decorating in a rustic style for Christmas, try using plaid stockings with faux fur cuffs as the centerpiece of your mantel. Dress them up with pinecones, candles and hand-carved wooden reindeer to complete the look… perhaps even a wreath! (Photo Credit: Midwest Living)
28. Glam Embroidered Gold Stockings.
Champagne gold stockings with beaded embroidery bring an elegant, glamorous touch to the holidays. Brass hooks and gold-wrapped gifts add even more sparkle. (Photo Credit: Horchow)
29. Upcycle an Old Sweater.
Make a sweater stocking from one of your old sweaters. You won’t need a sewing machine and you don’t need to know how to knit to make these fun stockings for your whole family. The details for this project can be found here. (Photo Credit: HGTV)
30. Lace and Glass Ornament Trim.
Cream stockings with lace cuffs are trimmed with pink and gold ribbons, glittering stars, and old-fashioned glass ornaments for a pretty, shabby chic look. (Photo Credit: Simplicity Patterns)
Note: Looking for more holiday decorating inspiration? Have a look at some of our recent Christmas articles here on One Kindesign: 21 Elegant Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas You’ll Want to Try This Year, 33 Cozy Rustic Christmas Decorating Ideas You’ll Love This Holiday Season, and 22 Best Christmas Bedroom Decorating Ideas For Cozy Winter Nights.
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