A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or shaped bag that children (and adults) hang up on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, and other small gifts. These are called stocking fillers or stuffers. Tradition claims that a child who has misbehaved during the year will only receive lumps of coal in his/her stocking. Usually Christmas stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but if a fireplace chimney is not available, the Christmas stockings may be hung anywhere. Santa will find them!

In the beginning, children used one of their own socks or stockings for a Christmas stocking, but today specially-created stockings are used. Stores carry an almost unlimited variety of styles and sizes. Many families make their own and put names on to make sure Santa will know whose stocking is whose. A perfect gift for Christmas is a personalized Christmas stocking!

Three Ways To Personalize A Christmas Stocking

Each personalized Christmas stocking should have the owners name or initials on it. You can needlepoint a monogram, sew on store-bought initials, or use a sewing machine to monogram or appliqu the name. Or, you can use calligraphy to put the name on. You can add a gift tag to each personalized Christmas stocking with the name. (Make them from cardboard or use large, laminated tags meant for gifts.)

The second way to personalize a Christmas stocking is by its attributes. You can sew a pocket on the outside for small items. You can use appliqus, rick-rack, lace, or pearls and beads to decorate it. You can use a different kind of fabric beside traditional felt, such as needlepoint, gingham, silk, patchwork, or knitted wool.

The third way to personalize a Christmas stocking is to link it to the owners likes, hobbies, or occupation, etc. A man's stocking could be made in the shape of a work boot or sewn from plaid flannel with a pocket on the front. Use an old shirt. A womans Christmas stocking can be in the shape of a nylon, or bustier made from silk.

A gardener's stocking could be made from burlap. An executive's stocking could be made from striped shirting with a tie in front. What about one in the shape of roller blades? How about a bone shape for dogs? Or make a paw print for cats. A sports lover could have a tennis racket-shaped stocking. For a teacher, make an apple. For a cook, how about a large pot holder?

For children, the same types of ideas will work. For a baby, sew two bibs together. For a little boy, create a baseball or basketball; for a little girl, create a pretty dress stocking.

Each gift sewn with love is a gift that will be treasured for generations.