We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Holiday Gift Reviews The 15 Best Christmas Stockings for Every Style This Holiday Season Our favorite Christmas stockings will add more holiday cheer to your home. By Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also reports on the neighborhoods beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries like real estate, airlines, and cannabis as a business reporter. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on December 6, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja Christmas stockings are a time-honored tradition to celebrate the holidays, letting you store trinkets and other small gifts until December 25. Americans have embraced the custom of hanging hosiery on fireplace mantels in the winter season since the 19th century. Today, stockings can last decades as family heirlooms or make contemporary fashion statements. Antoinette Boston of AB’s Holiday Decor says her clients typically want either inexpensive stockings to decorate for themselves or “heavy-duty” pieces that will stand the test of time. She advises shoppers in the market for new stockings to buy pieces that complement their decor. Regardless of the changing trends around stocking colors and styles, Boston appreciates a classic look. “The ideal Christmas stocking for me is going to be red,” she says. “It’s gonna have a nice fold at the top, and I love an initial on it.” To put together this list of the best Christmas stockings, we researched dozens of options, considering appearance, size, and price. Wondershop Knit Monogram Christmas Stocking Red Target View On Target $10 View On Walmart $11 Why You Should Get It Coordinate the entire family’s stockings—each with their own white monograms. Keep in Mind Certain letters can be harder to find. Want a simple yet festive stocking? Meet the Knit Monogram Christmas Stocking from Wondershop. Each family member can have their own designated space on the fireplace mantel with a monogram from A to Z. It counts as one of the most affordable options, and is made of soft, good-quality polyester and acrylic blend. The stocking’s color is a deeper cranberry, as noted by several users, with a white hanging hook loop. But if you’re looking for a specific letter, take heed: Some initials can be harder to find both in store and online, according to some users. Product Details: Material: Polyester, acrylic | Dimensions: 8 x 20 inches | Colors Available: Red West Elm Velvet Stocking West Elm View On West Elm $10 Why You Should Get It You can choose from several classic Christmas colors. Keep in Mind The small size is no longer available. West Elm’s Velvet Stocking is the best Christmas stocking for revelers who favor a traditional look. This choice is available in the standard holiday colors of red and green, plus complementary hues like ivory and golden oak. You can mix and match with this stocking option by purchasing a mix of the colors, or create a streamlined look. For an extra $15, you can personalize a stocking, selecting between 11 fonts and five thread colors to embroider a name. The different sizes are selling out fast, though, with the small option no longer in stock this season. Product Details: Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 7.2 x 18 inches for medium or 9.1 x 22.5 for large | Colors Available: Red, ivory, golden oak, green Personalization Mall Christmas Characters Family Personalized Stocking Etsy View On Etsy $31 View On Personalizationmall.com Why You Should Get It Shipping is free and consistently fast, making it the best Christmas stocking for last-minute shoppers. Keep in Mind Shorter names will look smaller on the stocking cuff. If you’re procrastinating on purchasing your holiday decor, then the Christmas Characters Family Personalized Stocking is for you. The seller is committed to free shipping, and it’s consistently fast, so you’re set for the season if you act soon. Characters like Santa Claus and elves can represent every member of the family on their own handmade stocking, offered in red and green. Have it embroidered with their names, but be aware that the letters are on the small side and shorter names will appear smaller on the stocking cuff. Product Details: Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 8 x 18 inches | Colors Available: Green, red Personalization Mall Scripty Name Personalized Christmas Stocking Etsy View On Etsy $33 View On Personalizationmall.com Why You Should Get It You’ve got the choice of a velvet or faux fur cuff to match your aesthetic. Keep in Mind The stocking size varies because it’s hand-sewn. The Scripty Name Personalized Christmas Stocking lets you design it down to the details—from the stocking cuff color to the name color. After choosing between a velvet and faux fur cuff, you can either add your name or leave it blank. And you’re in luck if you’re looking for a matching tree skirt. Because it’s handsewn, each stocking is unique, so the sizes can slightly vary. Product Details: Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 7.5 x 19.5 inches | Colors Available: Green, burgundy, ivory, gray, blue, purple, gray faux fur, ivory faux fur Lands' End Needlepoint Personalized Christmas Stocking Landsâ End View On Landsend.com $40 Why You Should Get It Choose between 16 designs to make it the best Christmas stocking for you. Keep in Mind You can only add up to 10 letters in a name on a personalized stocking. The Needlepoint Personalized Christmas Stocking tells a story with every pattern: a family of polar bears riding a ski lift, St. Nick putting on a golf course, a trio of penguins sledding down a slope and more. Vibrant colors are stitched on the stocking’s front with polyester yarn, while the back consists of soft cotton velvet. While you can personalize the stocking for $8, keep in mind that you can only add up to 10 letters in a name. Product Details: Material: Polyester, cotton | Dimensions: 7 ⅜ x 20 ½ inches | Colors Available: 16 color options available Fig & Dove Bauble Stocking-Doves of Peace Fig & Dove View On Figanddove.com Why You Should Get It The festive design is exclusive to the artisan-crafted home decor brand Fig & Dove. Keep in Mind It’s a mini stocking. The Fig & Dove for Bauble Stocking-Doves of Peace is the best Christmas stocking for those who want to welcome harmony into their holiday season. This hand-stitched needlepoint stocking is one of four designs exclusive to Fig & Dove, an artisan-crafted home decor brand. It ships to your front door in a branded canvas storage bag. Spanning just 4.25 x 6 inches, it’s a mini stocking, so it won’t hold many gifts–but it will look precious on your mantel. Product Details: Material: Cotton, velvet | Dimensions: 4.25 x 6 inches | Colors Available: Blue Balsam Hill Lit Starlight Stocking Balsam Hill View On Balsamhill.com Why You Should Get It You can switch on the stocking’s LED and fiber optic lights to twinkle, day and night Keep in Mind It doesn’t come with the three required AAA batteries. Make your household glisten with the Lit Starlight Stocking from Balsam Hill. Delight your loved ones by switching on the red stocking’s LED and fiber optic lights. If the shining stocking isn’t enough on its own, then add your own touch by personalizing it for an extra $9. Stock up on AAA batteries ahead of time, because it doesn’t come with the three required to power the lights. Product Details: Material: Polyester, LED and fiber optic lights | Dimensions: 10 x 18 inches | Colors Available: Red Mark Roberts Christmas Stocking Neiman Marcus View On Neiman Marcus $35 View On Dillards.com Why You Should Get It It’s the best Christmas stocking for lovers of vintage designs. Keep in Mind It’s narrower at the toe than the average stocking. The Mark Roberts Christmas Stocking is sure to stun onlookers. It’s a beautiful piece that will look right at home with other vintage-inspired holiday decorations. This red and green piece features several accouterments–beaded tassels, a satin puff and faux pearl and crystal embellishments–to form jeweled Christmas holly. It’s slimmer than the average stocking, though, making the toe narrower. Product Details: Material: Polyester velvet, satin, PVC faux pearl and crystal embellishments | Dimensions: 3.3 x 14.5 inches | Colors Available: Red North Pole Trading Co. White Faux Fur Christmas Stocking JCPenny View On Jcpenney.com $9 Why You Should Get It The faux fur makes it the softest stocking option. Keep in Mind It’s only available in white. The North Pole Trading Co. White Faux Fur Christmas Stocking is sure to add coziness to your holiday decor, with faux fur that’s soft to the touch. If you need it fast, then JCPenney can arrange same-day pickup, depending upon availability. As the best Christmas stocking for minimalists, it’s white as snow. However, that’s the only color option to choose from. Product Details: Material: Polyester, faux fur | Dimensions: 12 x 19.3 x 0.7 inches | Colors Available: White Wondershop 20" Fair Isle Snowflakes Knit Christmas Stocking Target View On Target $13 Why You Should Get It It’s the best Christmas stocking for rustic decor due to the folksy knit patterns. Keep in Mind The material is heavy, so it needs an appropriate stocking holder. As part of Target’s Winter Lodge decor collection, the Wonderhop 20" Fair Isle Snowflakes Knit Christmas Stocking features two rustic knit patterns with red hanging pom poms that can make your house feel a little more like home. The multi-colored designs match myriad home decor styles, and would look especially at home alongside farmhouse-inspired holiday decorations. The stocking is thick and roomy, but don’t expect a lot of stretch once it’s stuffed with goodies. Because it’s made out of heavier knit acrylic fabric, make sure to buy a weighty stocking holder that can keep it upright. Product Details: Material: Acrylic | Dimensions: 10 x 20 x 0.75 inches | Colors Available: White/green/red or red/green/blue JandJHairBows Personalized Pet Stocking Petco View On Etsy $8 View On PETCO $20 Why You Should Get It You can personalize it for your furry friend by selecting one of 16 fonts. Keep in Mind It’s primarily designed for dogs and cats. Fluffy and Fido need stockings of their own. The Personalized Pet Stocking makes sure your furry friend is represented on the Christmas mantel. Designed to look like a paw, this handmade stocking can be personalized or left blank, with 16 fonts to choose from. They’re not embroidered, but customized using permanent heat transfer vinyl. It currently ranks as a best-seller on Etsy, and you can buy a matching pet ornament, too. Keep in mind that the seller only specifically caters to cats and dogs. Product Details: Material: Not listed | Dimensions: 11 x 15 inches | Colors Available: 8 color options available L.L. Bean Mini Knit Stocking L.L. Bean View On L.L.Bean $8 Why You Should Get It It’s the best Christmas stocking for minimal space. Keep in Mind It only fits small items like gift cards. The Mini Knit Stocking is a short and sweet option to celebrate the holiday season. L.L.Bean offers four red and white designs emblematic of Christmas, ranging from deer to a snowflake to a tree. Measuring at just 3 x 7 inches, it only fits small items, such gift cards and cash. However, that makes it an ideal choice for compact spaces like apartment units or college dorms. Product Details: Material: Acrylic | Dimensions: 3 x 7 inches | Colors Available: Red deer, red fair isle, red snowflake, red tree West Elm Krista Marie Young Quilted Stocking West Elm View On West Elm $85 View On Kristamarieyoung.com View On Moma.org Why You Should Get It It’s thoughtfully designed by a Brooklyn-based textile artist. Keep in Mind It doesn’t feature classic Christmas colors. The Krista Marie Young Quilted Stocking is a literal work of art. Designed by Brooklyn, N.Y.-based textile artist Krista Marie Young, the 100% cotton stocking isn’t available in your standard holiday hues, using bright colors like lilac greens, teal spice and rose forest instead. The artist creates home textile products “inspired by play, childhood, and nordic design.” Featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art Design Store, it’s the best Christmas stocking for art collectors in the spirit of the season. Product Details: Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 11 x 17.5 x 0.25 inches | Colors Available: Lilac greens, teal spice, rose forest Glitzhome Red Boot Hooked Christmas Stocking JCPenny View On Home Depot $25 View On Jcpenney.com $20 View On Michaels $18 Why You Should Get It It’s handmade from hooked knit fabric, giving it a distinctive look. Keep in Mind It doesn’t offer any customization options. Calling all cowboys and cowgirls: The Glitzhome Red Boot Hooked Christmas Stocking is the best stocking for you. Shaped like a boot and handmade from hooked knit fabric, this option will add a Western flair to your holiday celebrations. Several retailers are selling the stocking, so you can select your preference. Keep in mind that this stocking doesn’t offer any customization, so you won’t be able to embroider your name on it. Product Details: Material: Polyester, knit | Dimensions: 19.69 x 0.79 x 10.04 inches | Colors Available: Red Lulu and Georgia Bronson Checkered Stocking Lulu and Georgia View On Luluandgeorgia.com Why You Should Get It This is the best Christmas stocking for shoppers looking for decor made of responsibly-sourced materials. Keep in Mind You need to join a waitlist to purchase it. If you’re hoping to find a Christmas stocking that will make a subtle style statement, then look no further than the Bronson Checkered Stocking. The light checkered pattern can balance out brighter colors or complete a rustic aesthetic. This stocking is also easy on the environment because it’s made of responsibly-sourced materials, following various environmental, ethical and social accountability standards. And it’s part of a matching set, alongside the Bronson Tree Skirt. You’re not alone if you’re swayed to buy this stocking—make sure to join the waitlist in order to purchase. Product Details: Material: Cotton, linen, viscose | Dimensions: 8 x 20 inches | Colors Available: Checkered What to Know About Christmas Stockings Before Shopping Style and Material Red and cream are traditional Christmas colors to incorporate into your personal style, Boston says. “Right now, blues and pinks are very, very hot,” she adds. She’s also noticing her clients are enjoying extra touches like jewels and beads. For children’s stockings in particular, “the kids absolutely love characters,” Boston says. This year, she anticipates that Barbie and Spiderman will rank as top choices. Trendy materials include fur, suede and velvet, she adds. While shoppers often focus on the exterior fabric of their stockings, they can also incorporate different materials for the linings and hanging loops. Boston advises against stressing when it comes to choosing materials because, ultimately, stockings are “temporary” pieces of decor. “As far as materials go, sometimes, that goes to the backburner and it’s usually all about the look,” she says. Size Stockings can vary in size, including mini, medium, large, extra-large and jumbo. Length is typically the most important measurement of a stocking, with the standard measuring at around 20 inches long. Make sure to measure your mantel ahead of ordering your Christmas stocking, so you choose the appropriate length comparatively. Your Questions, Answered What is the best material for Christmas stockings? When deciding upon the best Christmas stocking for your household, you can’t go wrong with a standard cotton or a polyester blend, Boston says. Other fabric options include velvet and flannel. But if you’d rather decorate the stocking yourself, then felt is a better choice. The lining material should be lightweight. Meanwhile, the exterior fabric can weigh a little more. How many gifts should fit in a Christmas stocking? Boston suggests only putting a maximum of 10 items in stockings. Candy, gift cards and jewelry come to mind as presents that are better suited for stockings, as opposed to being placed underneath the Christmas tree, she says. Who We Are Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also reports on the neighborhoods beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries like real estate, airlines, and cannabis as a business reporter. For this article, Megan reviewed dozens of stockings, considering their appearance, size, and prices. She spoke with holiday decorator Antoinette Boston of AB’s Holiday Decor in Dallas, Texas, for her industry expertise. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit