Key takeaways
- Spot clean velvet and needlepoint; many knit stockings can be hand washed.
- Store stockings flat or loosely rolled; stuffing them with tissue keeps their shape.
- Keep faux fur cuffs from being crushed under heavy items.
Christmas stockings are both decoration and tradition: they hang on the mantel all December and become the first thing kids reach for on Christmas morning. A good stocking is large enough to hold real gifts, sturdy enough to hang full without sagging, and personal enough that each family member knows which one is theirs. Here is how to choose between knit, velvet, burlap and personalized stockings.
Materials compared
| Material | Look | Durability | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable knit | Cozy, classic, farmhouse | Good | Can stretch when very full |
| Velvet | Rich, traditional | Good | Shows crush marks after storage |
| Burlap and plaid | Rustic | Very durable | Burlap can shed fibers |
| Faux fur cuff | Soft, luxurious | Moderate | Fur cuffs flatten if packed tightly |
| Needlepoint or quilted | Heirloom, detailed | Very durable | Higher price |
| Felt | Bright, kid-friendly | Lower | Thin felt tears with heavy gifts |
Size: bigger than you think
Stockings range from about 15 to over 20 inches long. Small decorative stockings look nice but hold very little; many families find 18 to 20 inches the practical size for stocking stuffers. Check the width of the opening as well as the length, because a narrow top makes it hard to fit gifts. Remember that a full stocking is heavy, so match it with a sturdy holder or mantel clip.
Personalized stockings
Names, initials and monograms remove the Christmas morning confusion and make stockings feel special. Options include embroidered names, a cuff with a name, letter patches and glitter or vinyl lettering. Embroidery lasts longest; glued glitter letters can peel after a few seasons. Custom orders take time, so order early, ideally by early November. If you are adding a new baby or family member later, choose a design the shop sells year after year so the new stocking matches. Browse personalized embroidered stockings.
Stockings for kids and babies
For a baby’s first Christmas, a stocking with the name and year becomes a keepsake. Kids often love character or animal designs, but those can feel babyish as they grow, so a classic design with a name lasts more years. Avoid small sewn-on decorations such as bells or pom-poms on stockings that toddlers can reach, since they can come off.
Matching sets
A matching set of stockings looks tidy on a mantel, especially in photos. Many sets coordinate with tree skirts in the same fabric. If you prefer individual personalities, choose stockings in the same material and color family with different patterns, which keeps the mantel cohesive without being identical. Compare knit stocking sets if you want a uniform look.
Care
- Spot clean velvet and needlepoint; many knit stockings can be hand washed.
- Store stockings flat or loosely rolled; stuffing them with tissue keeps their shape.
- Keep faux fur cuffs from being crushed under heavy items.
Filling stockings without overloading them
A packed stocking can weigh several pounds, which is where cheap seams split and lightweight holders tip over. Put heavier items such as books or small boxed gifts at the toe, lighter items toward the top, and keep a large gift beside the stocking rather than forcing it in. If your family fills stockings generously, a stocking with a reinforced hanging loop and a lined interior lasts much longer than an unlined felt one. On Christmas Eve, moving filled stockings to chairs or the floor beside the fireplace avoids pulling holders off the mantel.
Which stocking suits you
Classic family mantel: a matching set of cable knit or velvet stockings with embroidered names. Rustic home: burlap or plaid. Baby’s first Christmas: a personalized stocking with name and year. Heirloom you will keep for decades: needlepoint or quilted.
FAQ
What size Christmas stocking is best?
About 18 to 20 inches long holds a good amount of gifts while still looking proportionate on a mantel.
When should I order personalized stockings?
Early, ideally by early November, since custom orders often take a few weeks.
How do I keep stockings looking good in storage?
Stuff them lightly with tissue and store flat in a box, away from damp and heat.
Are felt stockings strong enough?
Thin felt can tear with heavy gifts; thicker felt or knit holds up better.
