17+ Creative Stocking Decorating Contest Ideas

Hey there, holiday enthusiasts! If you’re ready to amp up your Christmas stocking game and dazzle in your next decorating contest, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Denim Upcycle Stockings

Denim stockings offer a stylish, modern look.

Use old denim to craft a stocking with a modern twist. Denim adds a cool, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for contemporary settings. I’ve seen clients use different washes of denim to create unique patterns, which always looks fantastic. It’s my favorite way to upcycle old jeans and give them a new life during the holidays.

A few suggestions:

Denim Fabric Scraps: Get creative with denim scraps and craft stylish, eco-friendly stockings for your holiday decor.
Decorative Lace Trim: Add a touch of elegance with decorative lace trims to elevate your denim stocking design.
Sewing Kit with Needles and Thread: Ensure your denim stockings are perfectly crafted with a complete sewing kit at your disposal.

2. Vintage Lace Details

Add vintage lace for a touch of elegance and nostalgia. Lace provides a delicate, timeless charm that I adore. My grandmother always had lace on her Christmas decorations, so it brings back fond memories. I think incorporating vintage elements like lace adds a personal touch that makes the holidays feel extra special.

3. Bow and Ribbon Accents

Embellish your stocking with bows and ribbons for a sophisticated touch. I love how these accents add a finishing flourish. I once added velvet ribbons to a client’s stockings, and they looked incredibly luxurious. My preference is for satin ribbons, as they catch the light beautifully and enhance the festive sparkle.

These products might help:

Decorative Velvet Ribbon: Add elegance with lush velvet ribbons. Transform your stocking into a masterpiece effortlessly.
Gold Wired Ribbon: Create stunning shapes with wired ribbons. Elevate your stocking’s look instantly.
Assorted Satin Bow Set: Enhance your stocking with assorted satin bows. Achieve a charming and festive appearance.

4. Coffee Sack Stockings

Coffee sack stockings are a hit with coffee fans.

For coffee lovers, use a coffee sack to create a unique stocking. This adds a rustic and personal touch, perfect for caffeine enthusiasts. I’ve used coffee sacks from local roasters for a truly authentic look, and they always have a great texture. My favorite part about this idea is the wonderful coffee aroma that lingers.

Some ideas to consider:

Burlap Coffee Sacks: Discover rustic charm with burlap coffee sacks, perfect for crafting unique stockings this season.
Decorative Ribbons: Add a festive touch to your coffee sack stockings with vibrant decorative ribbons.
Mini Pine Garland: Enhance your stockings with a touch of greenery using a mini pine garland.

5. Felt Christmas Characters

Bring your stocking to life with felt characters.

Add character to your stocking with felt cutouts of beloved Christmas figures. I love how this brings stories to life on a stocking. I often encourage clients to involve their kids in this process, making it a fun family activity. It’s my belief that adding handmade touches like felt cutouts makes the holiday season more personal and memorable.

Useful items to consider:

Set of Felt Christmas Character Cutouts: Bring festive cheer to your stockings with these adorable felt Christmas character cutouts.
DIY Felt Ornament Kit: Craft personalized ornaments for stockings with this versatile DIY felt ornament kit.
Christmas Themed Felt Fabric Sheets: Decorate creatively with vibrant Christmas-themed felt sheets, perfect for custom stocking designs.

6. Nature-Inspired Elements

Nature-inspired elements bring the outdoors in.

Incorporate nature-inspired elements like pinecones and berries. This brings a touch of the outdoors inside, which I find incredibly refreshing. I often collect pinecones on hikes in the fall to use in my Christmas decorations. My go-to tip is to lightly dust the pinecones with glitter for an extra touch of holiday magic.

Check these products out:

Decorative Pinecones: Add a rustic touch to your stocking with these natural decorative pinecones.
Artificial Berry Sprays: Brighten your decoration with vibrant artificial red berry sprays for a festive look.
Christmas Greenery Garland: Enhance the holiday feel with a lush Christmas greenery garland.

7. Gingerbread Man Theme

Gingerbread men add a sweet and festive charm.

Decorate your stocking with gingerbread man cutouts for a sweet, festive look. This is a hit with kids and adds a playful touch. I have fond memories of baking gingerbread men with my family as a child. I think using these cutouts on stockings brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia to the holiday season.

A few relevant products:

Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters: Create perfect gingerbread man shapes for your stockings with these easy-to-use cookie cutters.
Decorative Gingerbread Man Stickers: Add a festive touch with vibrant gingerbread man stickers, perfect for kids’ stocking decoration.
Gingerbread Man Felt Ornaments: Enhance your stockings with adorable felt gingerbread man ornaments, adding charm and texture.

8. Whimsical Animal Themes

Incorporate whimsical animal themes, like foxes or owls, for a playful twist. I find these themes add an adorable charm. I once designed a set of stockings with different woodland creatures for a client’s cabin, and they loved them. My personal favorite is the fox, as it adds a touch of cleverness to the décor.

Check if these fit your needs:

Fox and Owl Stocking Hangers: Elevate your décor with charming fox and owl stocking hangers for a festive touch.
Animal-Themed Stocking Holders: Add whimsy to your mantel with delightful animal-themed stocking holders this holiday season.
Whimsical Fox and Owl Ornaments: Enhance your tree with whimsical fox and owl ornaments for a playful holiday vibe.

9. 3D Antlers Effect

3D antlers create an eye-catching effect.

Incorporate 3D antlers for a standout stocking. These add depth and a touch of whimsy that’s sure to impress. I’ve found that using wire to shape the antlers before covering them in fabric helps them hold their form. My advice is to use hot glue sparingly to attach them, ensuring they stay secure but don’t look messy.

These products might be useful:

Felt Antler Craft Kit: Create charming 3D antlers with this felt kit for a distinctive stocking decoration.
Decorative Foam Antlers: Enhance your stocking’s appearance with these easy-to-use foam antlers for a 3D effect.
3D Antler Templates: Add depth to your decorations using these versatile 3D antler templates on any stocking.

10. Mitten Stockings

Transform mittens into mini stockings for a quirky twist. These are perfect for hanging on doorknobs or bedposts. I once repurposed old baby mittens into miniature stockings for a craft fair, and they were a huge hit. My favorite part was using colorful yarn to add a unique touch to each one.

Explore these options:

Colorful Knit Mittens: Transform these cozy mittens into charming mini stockings for doorknob holiday decor.
Decorative Ribbon Set: Tie these ribbons to hang your mitten stockings beautifully on doorknobs or bedposts.
Mini Gift Tags: Add a personal touch to your mitten stockings with these charming mini gift tags.

11. Rudolph Nose Detail

Add a Rudolph nose to your stocking for a fun, festive detail. This simple addition is always a crowd-pleaser. I’ve used red pom-poms or even small felt balls to create the nose, both of which work great. My suggestion is to use a hot glue gun to ensure the nose stays securely in place throughout the holiday season.

A few things you might like:

Red Pom-Poms for Crafts: Add a playful Rudolph nose to your stocking with bright red pom-poms. Perfect for festive crafting.
Adhesive Red Rhinestones: Enhance your stocking with sparkling red rhinestones for a glittering Rudolph nose effect.
Red Craft Felt: Create a custom Rudolph nose with versatile red craft felt. Easy to cut and glue.

12. Polka Dot Patterns

Use polka dot patterns for a cheerful stocking design. I find this pattern brings a sense of playfulness and joy. I once used different sizes and colors of polka dots to create a whimsical stocking for a client’s child. My go-to color combination is red and green polka dots on a white background, as it is festive and classic.

Possibly handy products:

Polka Dot Fabric: Create joyful stockings with vibrant polka dot fabric, perfect for festive decorating projects.
Fabric Paint Set: Add playful dots to your designs using these versatile and colorful fabric paints.
Decorative Pom-Pom Trim: Enhance your stockings with cheerful pom-pom trims, matching the polka dot patterns flawlessly.

13. Striped Elegance

Stripes offer a classic and elegant design.

Incorporate striped patterns for an elegant look. Stripes add a touch of classic style that’s timeless and chic. I’ve found that alternating thick and thin stripes creates a visually interesting effect. My personal preference is to use gold or silver stripes for a touch of glamour during the holiday season.

You might give these a try:

Striped Christmas Stockings: Enhance your mantel with chic striped Christmas stockings for a stylish festive touch.
Decorative Striped Ribbons: Add elegance with decorative striped ribbons perfect for stocking accents or gift wrapping.
Striped Fabric Garland: Complement your decor with a sophisticated striped fabric garland for a seamless look.

14. Wooden Name Tags

Rustic wooden tags personalize your stockings beautifully.

Create wooden name tags using small slices of wood for a rustic charm. Trust me, these tags add a lovely natural element to any stocking. I like to use a wood-burning tool to personalize each tag with the family member’s name. My favorite part is how the wood grain adds unique character to each stocking.

Possibly helpful picks:

Blank Wood Slices for Crafting: Make your own rustic name tags with these blank wood slices. Add a personal touch today.
Wood Burning Kit: Create intricate designs on wood tags with this comprehensive wood burning tool kit.
Jute Twine Rope: Hang your wooden tags effortlessly using durable and rustic jute twine rope.

15. Festive Pom-Pom Fun

Add pom-poms for a fun, festive touch. These little bursts of color and texture always make me smile. I once attached a variety of pom-poms in different sizes and colors to a client’s stockings, and they looked incredibly cheerful. My tip is to use a strong adhesive to ensure the pom-poms stay put, even with little hands grabbing at them.

May just do the trick:

Colorful Pom-Pom Garland: Brighten your stockings with a vibrant pom-pom garland for a cheerful holiday touch.
Craft Pom-Poms Assortment: Enhance your decor with assorted pom-poms for a playful and inviting festive look.
Pom-Pom Making Kit: Create custom pom-poms to add a personal twist to your holiday decorations.

16. Glittering Names in Tinsel

Add a personal touch with tinsel-written names.

Personalize your stockings by writing each family member’s name in glittering tinsel. I tried this last year, and it added a sparkling touch that caught everyone’s eye! I made sure to use different colors of tinsel for each name, so everyone could easily identify their stocking. It’s my intention to continue this tradition every year!

Items that may come in handy:

Glitter Tinsel Garland: Add sparkle to your stockings with this shimmering tinsel garland for a festive touch!
Hot Glue Gun Kit: Securely attach tinsel to stockings with this easy-to-use hot glue gun kit.
Crafting Scissors: Effortlessly cut tinsel to perfect lengths with these precision crafting scissors.

17. Color Block Techniques

Color blocking creates a modern, bold look.

Use color blocking to create a bold, modern design. This technique is perfect for making a statement. I have found that contrasting colors like black and white or red and green work particularly well for this design. My advice is to sketch out your design beforehand to ensure the color blocking is balanced and visually appealing.

Maybe worth checking out:

Fabric Paint Set: Transform your stocking with vibrant fabric paints for a personalized and bold color-blocked design.
Colorful Felt Sheets: Enhance your stocking with colorful felt sheets, perfect for creating vivid blocks of color.
Craft Scissors: Achieve clean edges on your color blocks with high-quality craft scissors. Easy and precise.