A guide to the perfect Christmas stocking

Christmas stockings are a wonderful tradition, but for many of us they simply don’t feature in our seasonal celebrations. If you want to start a stocking ritual but don’t know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place: here’s how to fill the perfect Christmas stocking!

Find a stocking

The first Christmas stockings were just regular-sized socks filled containing a handful of modest gifts. Today’s stockings are on the other end of the scale: giant, brightly-coloured and brimming with presents. 

When buying or making your stocking, choose a design you love that will fit with the rest of your Christmas decor. And remember: biggest isn’t always best. A huge, bulging stocking might look enticing, but that means a lot of space to fill and will most likely end up being disappointing!

Think about stocking fillers

There are a few Christmas stocking traditions that you might like to try out with your kids. Customarily, good children get oranges, nuts and candy canes in their stockings, while bad kids get just a few lumps of coal (although we wouldn't recommend that, how mean!)

Of course, these days there are plenty of other options for much nicer gifts and there really are no rules as to what you should include. The one thing you should consider when you’re out shopping, however, is the size of your stocking, as this will dictate the size of any fillers you buy.

Theme your stocking

Picking a theme is a fun way to focus your mind when shopping for little treats, so think about what your child has really loved this year and choose your Christmas gifts accordingly. Choosing a new theme each year could even become a fun ritual for you and your family to do together! Here are some popular themes you might consider.

• Vintage: why not treat them to some games and treats from yesteryear?
• TV or movie characters: Frozen is a popular choice at the moment!
• Sports: such as football and swimming.
• Animals: you can't get better than the ever-popular puppies and kittens, or even dinosaurs!
• Pop group: your child's favourite singer is sure to have plenty of goodies.

So what should you actually put in your stocking? For kids, think sweets, small toys and games, stickers, pens, notebooks, keyrings and badges. And if you're making adult Christmas stockings, go for stylish stationery, CDs, crafting kits, chocolates, playing cards and small kitchen utensils.

Hang it with care

Many folks wait until Christmas Eve to hang up their stockings, turning it into an exciting Christmas Eve ceremony for your little ones. But if your tree goes up on 1st December, there’s no reason not to hang your stockings at the same time so they can wait for Santa's gifts in pride of place in your living room.

Where to hang your stocking is another point for debate. Stockings hanging by the fire are a lovely sight, and at the foot of your child’s bed can also work - although you will have to be careful when it comes to sneaking in and filling them up during the night!

We hope you start a lovely tradition this Christmas, and check out DotComGiftShop's stocking fillers department for more ideas.