These Beautiful Christmas Stockings May Be More Special Than the Surprises Inside Them

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Hanging Christmas stockings is one of the oldest and most personal holiday traditions around. Most people decorate the tree or lay garland on the mantel, but rarely do houses ever have the same stockings. The origin stories differ, but it's thought that hanging stockings above the fire began around the time of Saint Nicholas in the 4th century, as did the tradition of wrapping presents and setting them under the tree. As the popular story goes, a recently widowed man had trouble making ends meet and worried he won't be able to afford dowries to wed his three daughters. St. Nicholas heard neighbors in the village speaking of his plight but knew the man would not accept charity. So, he dropped three bags of gold down the chimney late one night, some of which managed to land in the girl's socks drying by the fire. The family was overjoyed the next morning to find the unexplainable surprise, which allowed the girls to marry and everyone to live happily ever after.

While the story is an old tale steeped in archaic folklore, it's also a gentle reminder of the importance of family and giving during the holiday season. Whether you're adding to the family collection or starting fresh, looking for an heirloom or just a bit of fun, we've gathered the best Christmas stockings of the season ready to be filled full of candies, toys and baubles! Many of our favorite Christmas stockings are handmade in Fair Trade environments offering fair wages, which means you can feel extra good about buying them. If you need some gift ideas for your beautiful stockings, we've rounded up some great holiday stocking-stuffer ideas here. Happy shopping, and giving!

Gilded Glamour Embellished Luxe Stocking

Delicate sequins, crystals and stones make for an intricate stocking, harkening back to a Renaissance Christmas past.

1970s Hereke Silk Rug Stocking

This holiday stocking was made from a vintage, 650-knots-per-square-inch Hereke rug. Made from 100% silk, this stocking will become an instant family heirloom.

Vintage Frazada Stocking

Each one of these handmade stockings is made from flax linen Frazada blankets. Due to their vintage and one-of-a-kind nature, they're perfect for mixing and matching on a mantel.

Hand Knit Wool Stockings White with Red Accents

These hand-knit, personalized Christmas stockings from Etsy have an old world feel with their traditional red and white stripes.

Chunky Knit Wool Stocking

Chunky wool gives this stocking from Terrain a hand-knit, cozy feel. We love that it's 21 inches long, so there's plenty of room to fill it with your favorite stocking stuffers.

Block Printing Stockings

These large stockings from Lucy Cuneo come in various colors and patterns, perfect for each family member's unique taste.

Stripey Bee Stocking

Precious hand-beaded bees adorn these lovely linen stockings from Joanna Buchanan.

Gifting Nutcracker

Bauble Stockings creates both creative and traditional needlepoint stockings, working with women in Haiti in a Fair Trade environment.

12 Days Stocking

These stockings from artist Tricia Lowenfield come in two different colors and can be customized with a name on them. Entirely handmade, they display scenes from the 12 Days of Christmas song.

Maine Weave Stocking

This simple stripe stocking is made of a durable cotton linen blend and hand sewn in India, creating a piece you'll want to pull out year after year.

Blitzen Holiday Stocking by Sferra

Add a bit of glitz with this sequined embroidered velvet stocking from Sferra.

Vintage Stocking

This colorful stocking from French Knot will be sure to brighten up your fireplace during the holiday season. We love the hand-felting, brightly colored embroidery, and pom pom details that make it feel extra festive.

Fortuny Piumette Christmas Stocking

This handcrafted stocking made from Fortuny Piumette fabric features a 15th-century Persian design with a small feather motif. The metallic ivory and gold sateen stocking is available with or without a cuff, which can also be monogrammed for a personal touch.

Handmade Red Floral Christmas Stocking with Navy Piping

These stockings, handmade with cotton, add the perfect Christmas spirit to any house.

Palm Tree Stocking

This stocking from Joanna Buchanan is made in black cotton velvet with the motif of gold palm trees and stars.

Pom Pom Linen Stocking with Personalization Option

This stocking is a classic pick—a pom pom tassel adds interest to the otherwise stark white stocking. Made of linen, this stocking is perfect for a warm weather vacation holiday celebration.

Hand Loomed Indian Christmas Stocking

This festive stocking is made from handwoven vintage textiles from India found on Chairish. We think the texture would add a welcome coziness to your mantel.

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