“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there”
Ballards.com
Today children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings, honouring this famous line in Clement Clarke Moore’s poem ‘The night before Christmas’.
Do you hang stockings or use them in your Christmas decorating?
I know I have made quite a few over the years and have just recently made some new ones that better suit the decor of our new home… but I’ll share those with you after December 1st.
If you too want to whip up a few extra stockings ready for Christmas, here are a couple of free tutorials to choose from. Some great stockings from Family Fun: here, here and here
Even your cutlery can have its own stocking – how cute is this one!
Download pattern here.
Perhaps the biggest question is: What do you stuff in your stockings?
In our home ‘Santa’ puts little individually wrapped items in the stockings which our girls have always loved digging deep to find what bounty awaits in the toe of the stocking. And they are never too big for stockings… just the items inside change as they grow up.
Are you stuck for ideas for stocking stuffers?
Here’s a few ideas:
· Note books and diaries
· Beauty products and cosmetics
· Candles and ornaments
· Phone credit for teenagers
· Food gifts
· Gift vouchers
· A magazine rolled up or magazine subscription
· Concert or cinema tickets
· Jewellery or accessories
· Small toys and games for kids
· Beach pack – sunscreen, lip balm, sunnies
· And my personal favourite…. chocolate (of any kind)!!
Another special addition which I like is the personalised tree ornament. Many families enjoy giving each member a special ornament as a stocking stuffer to open and then hang on the Christmas tree. When kids grow up and move out, their own ornament collection begins with the set of 18 or so ornaments they’ve received every Christmas throughout childhood.
Perhaps you have some suggestions to share… a great tutorial or stocking stuffer idea?
Giveaways
Natasha of Artistic Creations by Natasha Burns has drawn the winner of her guest post giveaway.
Elizabeth from Rosalilium (UK) has won Natasha’s beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments.
Today’s Friday Giveaway, the book ‘Simple Sewn Gifts’ by Helen Philipps has been won by Fiona at Bubzrugz
Hope you all have a creative weekend,
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I would love to do a Christmas Stocking goodies bag,But It seems I have normally exauhsted our funds.
With three of the 5 of us having December Birthdays It Makes it harder.
I HOPE I will be organised and collect little goodies throughout the year
Just found your blog…love it..especially all the Christmas fun….I have started too. xoxoxo
Oh wow – how excited am I to win that book – thanks so much.
I have started making stockings for my grandchildren – nice big ones seeing it is not up to me to fill them….. my own children tell me I was mean to them – they had to use dad’s long socks!! I love the idea of cutlery stockings…
Hugz
My sister & I always had stockings and Mum made them with our names on. Through the years there have been stockings hung even if only for decor purposes (even the dogs used to have their own LOL).
It was tradition that two new ornaments were bought for the tree each year – my sister didn’t want hers so I got the lot. I don’t use them as they are very delicate glass decorations and I would hate for them to get broken – but I love having them and sometimes get them out at Christmas to just look at and remember.
Toni :o)
Everyone at the house for Christmas gets a stocking – the dogs have mini ones 🙂 Standard fillings are a comic (xmas edition), sweets and a couple of small gifts.
My sister always sends gifts for my stocking and I send for hers – always fun to open! And often the same things!
I love all of the stockings you have made, beautifully done.
Debbie
I want to make stockings this year (but I said that last year and probably the year before). The little cutlery stocking are so cute!!
Hi Kerryanne,
I’m simply loving your “Simply Christmas” posts.
Its giving me a real kick start to making gifts for Christmas!
Thank you,
Hugs,
Anna
PS: I make a tree ornament for my guys every year.
Wow its all so Christmassy. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Kerryanne just catching up on your posts that I missed while I took a Bloggy Break.
So many gorgeous stockings. Can’t believe how close christmas is
Alison
Great links to those Christmas stockings!