Christmas Stocking Hanging 101
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…
“The Night Before Christmas”
– Clement Clark Moore
Whether you have a fireplace or not, Odd Job Larry is here to help you hang your stockings with care! You can easily DIY with these techniques, or contact Odd Job Larry for help!
Let’s take a look at our stocking hanging options:
Hanging Stockings With a Mantel
As the poem states, the traditional place for Christmas stockings in the house is from the mantel (the wooden, brick or stone frame around a fireplace opening). While you can certainly use a thumbtack or nail to secure a stocking in wood, or even a double-sided tape hook on stone, there are at least two more decorative options:
Mantel Clips– These sturdy metal clips can hold up to 10 lbs., allowing you to use them when the stockings are both empty and full. As the name suggests, they clip onto the mantel. If attaching to finished wood, make sure to choose clips with padded grippers to protect the finish. The simple, flat design of mantel clips is a major benefits as they can be hidden under other Christmas decorations.
Weighted Stocking Hangers– This option serves a dual purpose: not only do they hold your stockings, but they act as holiday decorations themselves. You can choose from a variety of finishes and shapes to match other hardware in your home or a particular color scheme. Many stocking hangers also feature padding to protect the mantle. Keep in mind, though, that these hangers simply sit on the mantel and are not secure. A child eager to see what is in his stocky can easily pull the stocking and hanger down. Yikes!
Hanging Stockings Without a Mantel
Of course, not every house has a fireplace. This means that many homeowners have had to come up with creative alternatives. Here are a few of our favorites:
Fireplace Grate– Consider investing in a fireplace grate and transforming it into a Christmas stocking rack. Not only does it give you a place to hang the stockings, but it also sits at eye level for any children in the home. However, if you have pets, this may not be the best option as it will be down at their level as well.
Open Stairwell– The mantel clips mentioned above can also be secured to steps, one clip per, to create a climbing mantel of sorts. Add garland and other decorations just as you would if using the clips above a fireplace.
Bar or Other Kitchen Opening– Mantel clips and stocking hangers also work on the lip of a bar and can turn a typically plain area into a Christmas focal point. Of course, you should only take this route if the bar serves more as a decorative feature in your home.
Hanging Stockings on a Brick or Granite Fireplace
If you would like a more permanent hook to hang your stockings at Christmas or other items throughout the rest of the year, there are several ways to do so. Simply drill into the mortar and follow up with a screw through a decorative hanger. A good example would be a cup holder used in the kitchen. There are also brick hangers available at your local home improvement store that clamp into the mortar.
With both of these methods, however, keep in mind that they will leave a hole behind if you remove the hardware. You should also know exactly where you want to hang the stockings so that you get it right the first time. If you’re looking to hang stockings from a mortarless fireplace such as granite, consider using the clips or mantel hangers mentioned above.
Happy Holidays!
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