Mallory McInnis exists on the Internet in a variety of places, like Twitter and Pinterest, but mostly at her blog, Where the Lovely Things Are. She lives in Maine, collects vintage children’s books and believes most (if not all) things taste better when they involve cheese in a melted format (and/or guacamole).
I’m 25 years old, my younger sister is 22 and our Christmas morning ritual has not changed in the slightest since we were 15 and 12 — or even 5 and 2. We may or may not have worn matching pajamas to bed last year. Are you judging us? Probably yes, but I’m fine with it — we’re still kids at heart, our parents encourage it and, frankly, it’s awesome. The only thing that’s changed over the years is when I was about 11 or so, I introduced a soundtrack into the festivities. Now “Mom Returns & Finale” from the Home Alone score plays while we waltz dramatically downstairs into the living room. Another good song choice is “The Neverfeast” (or “The Banquet”) from the Hook score. Yes, that isn’t actual holiday fare, but if you’re a child of the ’90s like me, it sets the right atmosphere (you’re just ogling presents instead of an elaborate make-believe feast). Bangarang.
As the music merrily chimes from the speakers, we all (my parents and the family dog included) start in with the emptying of the stockings. Size-wise, Andre the Giant could have quite comfortably worn our stockings as knee socks.
I think it’s safe to say that stocking-time has always been one of my favorite parts of my family’s Christmas traditions. Stockings full of handmade goods? That would just make the whole affair even more enjoyable. The only thing better would be a stocking with a puppy in it; I’m still holding out for that happening some day.
[Left to right, top, bottom and middle rows: Geometric asteroid brooches from depeapa; "We are a happy family" card game from pintameldia; Green knit jersey bracelet from ohjustjess; Prize ribbon pin from Datter; Black floral stocking from Strathcona Stockings; Hand-knit socks from LizSox; Rainbow magic ceramic bracelet from karoArt; Grapefruit mint soap from meowmeowtweet; Bow tie from xoelle]
[Left to right, top, bottom and middle rows: Bear wooden wall ornament from teal & gold; "Cats I Know" zine from Cats I Know; Button set from sweetie pie press; Bunny pocket mirror from verkligheten; Flower coaster set from decoylab; Deer notebook from ARMINHO; Glass custer ring from UrbanRevisions; Small mountain sterling silver studs from joannarutter; Luxe linen napkins from Love, Daniella]
[Left to right, top, bottom and middle rows: Cotton pencil pouch from slide sideways; Skateboard tops from boardgames; Screen printed car from fidoodle; Beau bear puppet from The Pin Pals; Recycled denim change purse from Hummingbird Factory; Sticker set from minifanfan; Toy watch from Misako Mimoko; Little lion man from Nifty Kidstuff; Handbedruckter from heuteschmidt]
[Left to right, top, bottom and middle rows: Coloring book from LundStudios; Cupcake potholders from EmuAttacks; Kaleidoscope flora pin buttons from Zoe Ingram; Winter trees stamp set from bastisRIKE; Mountain stud earrings from pannikin; Cat notebooks from hellojenuine; Sloth bottle opener from Berkley Illustration; Notebooks from Jenny Pennywood; Papercut sticker set from myfolklover]
For 364 days of the year, you’re putting things (namely, your feet) in stockings each day. Christmas is the one day of the year that you get to pull things out of them. So find some awesome things to stock your loved one’s stocking, create your own present-opening soundtrack, and have a very merry morning.
96 comments
Sign in to add your ownHelloSprout says:
This is great! Stockings are my favorite too. My mom made each of my sisters and I a unique stocking, and I still look forward to it every year.
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
I love the stocking time too! Stockings filled with handmade good would rock :)
1 year ago
BeadoRama123 says:
I love it! The true spirit of Crimbo! x
1 year ago
BirdEnergy says:
This is an awesome idea.....the best is what is in the sock.
1 year ago
thehiddenshop says:
BANGARANG! I'm making new stockings for all my family this year
1 year ago
AvianInspirations says:
I love investigating my stocking Christmas morning! Thanks for all the cool ideas.
1 year ago
jguilddesigns says:
I love opening my stocking with my sister on Christmas morning (and now our husbands have one too ;) Thanks for the fun ideas!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
:))) love it :) thanks
1 year ago
PolClary says:
Oh, so great. We don't really do stockings in Holland, but we do have Sinterklaas on 5 December. Dutch children put their shoes in the hall (or next to the fire) with a carrot or hay for Sinterklaas' horse and sometimes drawings for him. Sometimes they sing for him. Then in the morning, there's something in their shoe from Sinterklaas. (Usually some candy or a chocolate letter). These gifts would be great in shoes.
1 year ago
piercednpainted says:
i have a stocking my great grandmother made me with my name on it. I adore that stocking~
1 year ago
knitfitt says:
Oh, Santa, please bring fill my stocking with all these great picks!
1 year ago
AlisaDesign says:
love it!!!!
1 year ago
alibli says:
Stockings are not traditional here (Italy), but I would loooooove to have one filled for me! :)
1 year ago
MootiDesigns says:
Very cool.!!!!
1 year ago
PrintFarm says:
Yes! Stockings are always my favorite - I wish we still did this!
1 year ago
ClaudiaHorsey says:
totally agree! I had my fist stocking filled last year and it totally rocked my holiday!
1 year ago
UrbanRevisions says:
I want all of these in my stocking! So happy to be included :)
1 year ago
theroyal says:
i love all the stuff featured.. do put in my stocking.. :)
1 year ago
thenakedbird says:
Christmas has always been the most magical time of year for me. I am one of those people who don't hesitate to start listening to Christmas before thanksgiving and work through almost every classic only a week into December. I still get to open my Christmas Eve pajamas the night before and wear them that night. It's hard to keep the magic alive as you get older and begin to worry getting the right gifts for others and making sure they are wonderful and thoughtful and don't break the bank. I began filling my mother's stocking a few years ago, though my dad still adds things here and there and last year I made one by hand for my love. Stocking time has always been my favorite time of Christmas morning too. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful treasures! I will definitely have to keep my fellow etsians' shops in mind this year when filling stockings!
1 year ago
krize says:
Wonderful!!
1 year ago
onelovebird says:
I love this post! Great stuff!!
1 year ago
noemiah says:
Lovely pics, as usual Mallory!! ❤
1 year ago
urbanheirlooms says:
Never, ever too old for a Christmas stocking! Forty years later, I still get the warm-fuzzies remembering watching my mom make us kids rectangular "stockings" (sacks) from white felt and then gluing colorful felt cut-outs of different Christmas scenes on each one. She was so artsy-craftsy! I'd give anything to know what happened to them; they made Christmas really magical! Nice feature!
1 year ago
birdie1 says:
I must agree! My sister and I still gleefully put together stockings for each other as we do for our husbands. There's always a fresh orange included because dad would always throw one in ours as kids.
1 year ago
feltonthefly says:
I collect little treasures to fill my own stocking! My husband is great at the BIG gifts, but not so great with stockings... so I fill my own : )
1 year ago
RivalryTime says:
These are great.
1 year ago
grayday says:
my 90 yr old grandfather still gets a stocking every year! I love all of these little goodies! thanks for sharing these great finds!
1 year ago
emwi says:
I love stocking stuffers! This is a great list. I've still managed to get a pineapple in my stocking every year since I was a kid. Santa never fails.
1 year ago
BlueToad says:
great selection of stocking stuffers!!
1 year ago
BlackStar says:
Stockings are the best part of Christmas morning! So many wonderful treasures buried within. Can't wait!
1 year ago
pannikin says:
Oh wow I love SO many of these artisans already and have now just found some more delightful things to add to my wishlist! Thanks very much for including my green mountain studs!
1 year ago
minipotterybyanita says:
I've always adored little things, so stocking stuffers are perfect tiny presents for me! ♥ anita
1 year ago
EttaBloom says:
Obsessed with stockings! I make them all year from vintage french textiles just to sell in December on Etsy. So fun getting ready and getting such wonderful responses from customers. I'm already in such a holiday mood getting my shop ready–great way to enter the season!
1 year ago
MagicMarkingsArt says:
Stockings are like the most delicious appetizer before the main course - or like a great martini before dinner. Sometimes the best, and most unexpected part of the meal. Love your handmade picks!
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
Santa has a buyers account on Etsy! Send him my way.
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
Stocking time is the best!
1 year ago
VidaDoce says:
:) Stockings are my favorite. I remember, when I was little, peeking over the balcony, where I was supposed to be sleeping, and watching my mom and grandma fill our stockings. Such fun memories...:)
1 year ago
Ebrown2503 says:
My sister and I know what Christmas is about--giving gifts. But we are ALL about making the stockings for each other FULL of little original gifts to delight! The men in the family, they just don't GET it. The stocking is the best part of the entire day.
1 year ago
PoetryofObjects says:
Stockings are my favorite part of the christmas morning celebration! I've knit stockings for my family and it is such an important part of the day...the special gifts go into the stockings! I love the choices you've shown us here...beautiful!
1 year ago
VioletdaleJewellery says:
You know what's even better than opening a stocking on Christmas morning? Having kids and watching them open their stockings. Christmas has become magical again seeing it through my daughter's eyes. Also, in my husband's family, they use pillow cases for stockings. They fill the whole case. That's the way to do it.
1 year ago
OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:
How fun! Love your ideas!
1 year ago
Palooza says:
I plan to surprise my nephew and niece with awesome creative handmade Christmas stocking goodies. Great stocking picks!
1 year ago
MishaGirl says:
Oh yeah- stockings are always full of fabulous, fun finds. It's truly one of the best things about Christmas.
1 year ago
sewlola says:
Sweet post!
1 year ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
I agree... stockings are one of my favorite Christmas traditions too!!! It's so fun to go through all the little treasures :)
1 year ago
jdfootloose says:
Stockings Or Christmas Socks as we call them, are my fave part of the morning(present wise) At 28 I still get one and love it just as much as i did when i was kid(In Maine) Love the post!
1 year ago
HelloShoes says:
We still do stocking every year. I have done a coffee themed one and a beer one so far. I think I will always want a stocking, no matter how old. Bought from shops here on etsy...I love this post
1 year ago
ohjustjess says:
this is such a fun and wonderful collection! so honored to be included ;)
1 year ago
NiftyKidstuff says:
such great picks--thanks for including my little lion men!
1 year ago
katrinaalana says:
We did stocking when I was a kid but it was usually filled with candy and not toys which we didn't mind one bit. Toys were under the tree and without any labels so you had to wait until Christmas to find out which present was yours.
1 year ago
OldBarnCrafts says:
my kids are all in their 20's and we still do stockings! My oldest says that stockings are her favorite part of Christmas. Of course, I love getting stocking stuffers here on Etsy *cough* cute buttons from beanforest *cough*
1 year ago
L2Country says:
Stocking stuffers are GREAT! Txs for this. :-) L
1 year ago
iheartchelsyanne says:
okay... Seriously awesome finds! I wish my husband and I are still doing stockings to one another, but now that our oldest is three, she would totally be confused with the whole ordeal. But I did get the robot stackers from Boardgames!
1 year ago
RossLab says:
I want one... of everything!
1 year ago
TheBloomingThread says:
absolutely! Id love to see these goodies in my stocking ;)
1 year ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
I feel so young (inside), I am writing my wish list... heheheheh
1 year ago
amateurcouture says:
Christmas at your house sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing these fun stocking finds.
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Filling the stockings is the most fun - I shop all year for little items to add.
1 year ago
AdoroMe says:
TGFW!!!
1 year ago
minifanfan says:
Thanks for featured my works! They're so beautiful :)
1 year ago
HouseOfMoss says:
Oh my goodness! Lovely lovely picks, I want all of them! :)
1 year ago
BiomedDesign says:
Thanks a lot for sharing. They are all lovely!
1 year ago
claycre8or says:
The stocking are the best part of Christmas!! Love this!! :)
1 year ago
AMSkrafts says:
Stockings always meant the beginning of Christmas day festivities. As a child, I remember waking up and going straight to my stocking to find bright, fun shaped erasers, sticker books, small toys or candy, then going to the Christmas tree for the family presents. Afterwards, the day would get busy with the clinking of cutting boards, pots and pans, the smells of Christmas dinner getting ready to be eaten by relatives when they come to our house to celebrate family. Thank you for the nostalgia!
1 year ago
mybunnystitches says:
I really do love the peppermint candy earrings!
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
fantastic!! i'm getting a stocking this year for sure :)
1 year ago
mattyhandmadecrafts says:
Fun, fun, fun!
1 year ago
dragonhouseofyuen says:
struth! - what with the cake and panattone and tree and baubles and pine cone wreath I almost forgot a stocking!! (...getting the sewing machine out and looking for an old wool jumper with HUGE sleeves :) may as well have 2 eh??!)
1 year ago
emleehandmade says:
super cute stuff. I want it all!
1 year ago
feltstories says:
this is great idea !!
1 year ago
kayratastaki says:
Love it.
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
My grandmother gives me a stocking every year. So Sweet.
1 year ago
JenMcLamb says:
Many great ideas in this post - thanks!
1 year ago
esla says:
So true about stockings being amazing. My husband never had one so this year he will have one stuffed with all sorts of goodies.... although I can't top a puppy in the stocking with anything I've bought.
1 year ago
TreasuryShop says:
So many great ideas
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Great stocking blog!
1 year ago
seasonsart1031 says:
Wonderful & festive! Great ideas to fill up your stockings!
1 year ago
cottonbirddesigns says:
Great ideas!
1 year ago
DEADWEIGHT says:
Sweet picks!
1 year ago
reneeleonestudio says:
Great items! Love!
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
love the picks.
1 year ago
PenelopeRed says:
We always had stockings as kids too. My hubby never celebrated Christmas with his family (for religious reasons) so it isn't easy to get him to understand the whole thing. This year I told him that he can't cheat and put everything in a box- he has to wrap it all up individually! He didn't like the sound of that at all!
1 year ago
sballgurl072005 says:
Oh I KNOW I'll never be too old for a stocking :)
1 year ago
leslieholz says:
Unique, colorful, small size = perfect!!
1 year ago
KentuckyThymer says:
53yo, here. Never had a year without a stocking. Don't plan to start. :D What a brilliant little bouquet of ideas, here! The hard part is going to be stopping when the sock is full. ;)
1 year ago
belleiso says:
These are awesome stocking gifts! I'll definitely be snagging some of these items!
1 year ago
smallpackagess says:
stockings have always been one of my favorites too! what a great selection you have
1 year ago
dinkydodger says:
I'm 24, and I still look forward to the stocking fillers more than anything! I could easily live without the 'big gifts', there's nothing better than delving in deep and pulling out a little treasure. It's even better when one hides riiiight in the toes and you almost miss it :) love love love this.
1 year ago
DelilahsAttic says:
Awww! A puppy in a stocking would be great! My favorite part from Lady and the Tramp is when the wife opens the box and the puppy pops out!
1 year ago
ArtWhims says:
Love this story! My hubby and I are only doing stockings this year (one to stick to a budget) but also it just seemed so wrong to get rid of that part of Christmas :O)
1 year ago
junctionoffunction says:
Christmas stockings are what the kids usually look forward to during Christmas. The look on their faces when they open it are priceless.
1 year ago
TastefulThings says:
so cute christmas-tree candies! Add a lovely russian doll to your collection. Check out my store.
1 year ago
tjalaine says:
Love your story about the soundtrack! So cute! Our Christmas hasn't changed much at all either, and I'm 27 & my sister is 21! :) Love all the sweet stocking stuffers! I would love to see some of them hanging over the fireplace this year!
1 year ago
raspberryhead says:
ohh my god..... i refuse to give store bought gifts this year ( because ohhh i dont know) i have a 3 year old niece and 4 year old nephew who are gonna get handmade stockings full of all of the fabric and polyner clay, beaded and sewn things that i can stuff into them. thank ou so much for the brilliant idea/ideas...
1 year ago
erin11599 says:
My brother and I always had stockings.Leaving the stocking (in our case an army sock as my father was in the army!)on the end of the childs' bed is the best way for parents to sleep to a reasonable hour on Christmas morning!I was born in England but raised from age 6 in Australia but the British wartime quirk of always putting a mandarin at the tip of the stocking followed us!!My parents were both born in England in the 1930's and experienced harsh rationing in childhood(my father was about 8 before he saw a banana!)so a mandarin was a serious treat and one was always in the Christmas stocking.I discovered etsy this year and my 12 year old daughter is having the best handmade Christmas this year.They have the best array of stocking stuffers ever.
1 year ago
erin11599 says:
PS-She will also get a mango in the tip of the stocking-standing in for a mandarin-wrong time of year for mandarins in Australia!!
1 year ago