Silent Night songs, spirited Santas and, of course, stockings are all part of the Christmas season! For many families, stockings are like the cherry on top—unwrapping them is almost as much joy as opening the real presents beneath the tree! The conventional style of stockings has given way to the newest trends of sparkly materials and tinseltown textures in recent years. You don't need to search any farther if you want to improve your stocking game or want to avoid receiving a lump of coal in your stocking this year. These are some ideas for Christmas stockings that can instantly bring the spirit of the season into your home.

History of Stockings/Tradition

For centuries, one of the most looked forward to aspects of Christmas Eve and morning has been the custom of hanging stockings. Saint Nicholas is credited with starting the history of Christmas stockings centuries ago. The story goes, Saint Nicholas once encountered a guy who was insufficiently wealthy to give his daughters gifts for Christmas. According to legend, Saint Nicholas threw a bag of money down the man's chimney, where it fell in a stocking that was left to dry next to the fire. Many households have continued to hang stockings over the Christmas season ever since. Even though the stocking's appearance has undergone significant changes over time, the custom and its significance remain unchanged.

Stocking Style

The classic style of Christmas stockings is being replaced, at least in part, by more upscale, highly textured or shiny materials. Some stockings still resemble traditional "stockings," while others feature an additional cuff made of plush, faux fur or sherpa. Additionally, colorful Christmas-themed linen and plaids have gained popularity. There is undoubtedly a design or style to fit everyone’s cheerful Christmas aesthetic, regardless of what you decide on.

Santa Sacks

Another trend? Supplementing stockings with Santa Sacks. Like a stocking, a Santa Sack contains gifts from Santa; however, these are gifts for your loved ones, not little trinkets and candies. The main difference is that Santa leaves these sacks beneath the tree rather than hanging them from the mantle, and they are large enough to contain a variety of items.

Santa bags are an enjoyable and novel way to ensure that the gifts from Santa on Christmas morning remain a surprise. These sacks can also be reused for years to come!

Hung in Honor

It's customary to hang stockings on stocking holders that are placed on the mantle. But despite what many people think, stockings don't have to be hung on a fireplace. A lovely garland and ornamental bows, along with stockings strung down the stairs, can enhance your Christmas décor. A stocking-draped blanket ladder makes a great addition to your tree's surroundings as additional décor. One clever and space-saving holiday trick is to hang stockings on hooks on a coat rack!

Another idea is to use a holiday wall art piece that features hooks for your stockings, as well as some cheery art that adds to your overall decor. A festive stocking holder will reduce the worries of little and big folks alike that their stockings have a place to be filled by Jolly ol' St. Nick this holiday season.

Stockings for All

Remember to put a stocking for your four-legged pals near the other family’s stockings—the holiday season is for everyone, even them! Also, consider placing hostess gifts items in a stocking as a festive wrapping alternative for party hosts, as well as teacher gifts, coworker secret santa gifts, and more.

Keep these tips in mind as you wrap up Thanksgiving festivities and start Christmas decorating to make sure you have the loveliest and most memorable stocking display in town!