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Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.
On the lookout for Christmas stockings this season? Whether you’re starting fresh for the whole family or recently welcomed a new member, you can count on these picks—updated for 2024!—looking just as good as whatever you put inside them come December 25. Our 40 favorites range from old school (plaid!) to playful (nontraditional palettes, scalloped details) and come in a surprisingly wide selection of fabrics, including luxe linen and cashmere. And when you’re ready to fill ’em, we’ve got ideas from the coolest people we know.
Our Favorites
- Best minimalist: Lulu and Georgia Bronson Stocking
- Best rustic: Schoolhouse Swiss Scallop Stocking
- Best classic: Heather Taylor Home Idyll Wild Plaid Stocking
- Best nontraditional: West Elm x Krista Marie Young Quilted Stocking
- Best kids: H&M Home Pile Christmas Stocking
The Best Minimalist Stockings
We’re talking pared-back patterns, typically in just one fabric, and decidedly monochromatic.
The Best Rustic Stockings
If cozy, fuss-free textures like wool and distressed velvet aren’t exactly what you’re after, we also love a folk art feel that reminds us of a grandparent’s handmade quilt.
The Best Classic Stockings
It wouldn’t be Christmas without an appearance of the season’s signature pattern: plaid. And, of course, there’s no better place to lean into the red and green combo.
The Best Nontraditional Stockings
Think: tassels and beading, graphic prints, and punchy, unexpected palettes. You’ll spot red and green, too, but in brighter, bolder shades that feel more playful.
The Best Kids’ Stockings
Go all in on the holiday’s whimsy with cutesy animals, pom-poms, and colorful embroidery.
How We Chose These Products
Every year, our editors assess the fresh crop of Christmas stockings and decide which are worth investing in. We look for quality materials and construction, durability, and how well they wear. We also look for subtle (and not-so-subtle) twists on traditional styles, plus classic stockings you’ll feel good about using for many Christmases to come.
Our Shopping Checklist
Design
Kate Towill of South Carolina–based design studio Basic Projects likes “an old-school, personalized stocking” that kids (and grown-ups) will look forward to hanging by the fire—or wherever you like. Boston-area designer David Ekezian, who uses stockings handmade by a family friend in his own celebrations, also likes something with a personal touch, whether it’s a monogram, a favorite holiday symbol, or even a graphic, modern motif. Your stocking should feel, above all else, like you.
For patterned stockings, options like gingham and stripes are always fun and cheerful; for solid-color pieces, we agree with Ekezian that adding an embroidered name, monogram, or symbol makes all the difference.
Materials
The best Christmas stockings come in a range of fabrics, but here are a few that are more popular than others:
- Shearling, faux fur, and sherpa all call to mind magic sleighs and keeping warm in a wintry cabin. Like the lining of Santa’s boots, they’re soft to the touch, and the cream color ensures it will go with Christmas decor no matter how much your style shifts over the years.
- Hand-knit chunky wool, like your favorite cable-knit sweater, is an instant classic.
- Cotton is often the base for stockings with funky details and accents or printed patterns. It’s also often more affordable.
- Velvet feels nostalgic to us, especially if the lush look is paired with sparkly accents.
Sizes
Most stockings are between 19 and 25 inches long and about 7 inches wide. The bigger the stocking, the more it holds, though you’ll want to look for something with heft if you plan on filling it with weightier gifts (just no coal, please).
Ask Domino
Q: What is the best way to put names on Christmas stockings?
Embroidered stockings are always in style (and a handful of our picks, above, offer personalization for an added cost), but it can be fun to have kids help by using glitter glue or iron-on letters.
Q: What is the best way to embroider Christmas stockings?
If you’re doing it yourself, sketch out the lettering in pencil first. That said, the charm is in the details when it comes to handmade decorations, so don’t worry about it looking too perfect.
The Last Word
Pulling treats out of a stocking is one of the most memorable parts of a fun Christmas morning, and it’s even better when you love the stocking itself.