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16 Christmas Stocking Hanging Ideas (that don’t require a fireplace)

by on Nov 28, 2021

Source: Coco Kelley

Okay, so you have TONS of tutorials for Christmas stockings that you could tackle between now and Christmas, but you don’t have a mantel on which to hang them. Not to worry! Santa doesn’t really care where the stockings are hung (he has an uncanny ability to find them wherever they are). What I’ve heard is that he actually LIKES to find them hanging in less prosaic places. If true, these 10 Christmas stocking hanging ideas will surely please him.       

1. Hang Christmas stockings from a branch 

Christmas stockings hanging from a branch
Source: The Merrythought

This first example (find the tutorial over at The Merrythought) shows you exactly how to hang your stockings from a found tree branch. Different types of branches, greenery, and stockings can completely change the feel, as seen below in this more farmhouse rustic version.

Three stockings hang from a small twig.
Source: Target

2. Hang them from a bookcase 

Arrange christmas stockings on a bookcase
Source: The Happy Flammily

No scrounging around in the yard for this one. If you have a bookcase, you’re good to go.

Books sit on a shelf with a stocking hanging from it.
Source: A Fanciful Twist

3. Use a coat rack to hang your stockings

place stockings on a coat rack
Source: Jenna Sue Design Co.

They’re already made for hanging things, right? Let your coat rack do double duty, like this one seen over at Jenna Sue Design Co., and this one below of a simple peg rack.

Three striped socks hand from a wooden hanger on the wall.
via Pinterest

4. Put them on a coat tree 

stockings on a coat tree
via Pinterest

Don’t have a coat rack? How about a coat tree? Basically, anything with the word “coat” in it, just replace with “stocking.”


5. Hang from a ladder 

ladder with christmas stockings
Source: AKA Design

A ladder provides a perfect backdrop to handmade stockings, whether folded (above) or on a lean-to (below).

Red and white stockings hang near a white wall near a Christmas tree.
Source: The Home Depot Blog

6. Hang from a piano 

using a piano as a mantel to hang stockings
Source: Cherished Bliss

Okay, upright pianos might be even more scarce than fireplaces, but this idea from Cherished Bliss deserves a highlight. 


7. Hang from a stairwell 

Christmas stockings on a stairwell
Source: BHG

Better Homes & Gardens points us to this idea for those with the right staircase. 


8. Hang in the window

Four red stockings hand behind a red sofa.
Source: Better Decorating Bible

Windows are a fun place to hang your stockings. String them from the top of the window frame, hang them from your window locks, or from weighted stocking holders. When hanging your stockings by the window, do so with care (in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there!).

Three Christmas stockings hand in windows of an apartment high above the street.
Source: Dominique via Flickr

9. Hang from the bedpost

A plant sits on a bedside table near a bed.
Source: Coco Kelley

This next idea will take some stealth to fill on Santa’s part, but how cute for the kiddo to wake up to a stocking hung on their bedpost! Less stealthy would be to hang them on the outside bedroom door knobs. 


10. Hang at the foot of the bed 

Two grey and white stockings hanging on a grey bedframe.
Source: Love Grows Wild

Of course said kiddos will probably wake you up at the crack of dawn anyway, so how about hanging them from the foot of your bed?


11. Hang from a pair of skis

Four Christmas stockings are stuffed and hanging from a red bar on the wall.
Source: The Decoist

Swoosh! Skis mounted to the wall make a great place to hang your socks. Or prop a pair against the wall for a similar effect. 

A decorated Christmas tree in a corner next to a pair of wooden skis with stocking hanging form them and presents under the tree.
Source: The Decoist

12. Hang from a faux mantel

"Oh what fun" banner hangs above a table with Christmas decor including stockings on the front.
Source: The Faux Martha

If you’re unhappy with trying to substitute a mantel, you may be able to create a fake one instead. The Faux Martha made hers using a board and two small bookcases. You could also draw a fireplace beneath a shelf, like this one displayed for Target.

Stockings hang from the mantle in a grey room.
Source: Target via Pinterest

13. Hang from wall hooks

A red stocking hanging with a toy dog, a present and some greenery showing out the opening.
Source: Talk of the House

Simply hang Christmas stocking directly onto the wall. If you’re adverse to putting more holes in your home, you could also hang them with Command hooks.

Two red and white mittens are hanging from a wall.
Source: 3M

14. Hang them with greenery

Four white Christmas stockings hang under a string of plants.
Source: Stephanie White Style

Hide hooks or racks with a bit of garland.


15. Hang from a drying rack

A white Christmas stocking next to a green plant wreath.
Source: Anthropologie

I think the one thing to take away from this post is that if it has a hook, you can hang a Christmas stocking on it.


16. Hang from a DIY rack

Two fuzzy Christmas stocking hanging below a bit of pine.
Source: Poppytalk

If you don’t love any of the ideas on this list, start from scratch and make your own stocking rack, like this one above from Poppytalk, or this board below from Lolly Jane.

Four Christmas stockings are hanging from a white wall.
Source: Lolly Jane

Looking for more seasonal DIY projects and ideas?Red fruit with sugar sprinkled on it.

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2 Comments

  1. Dea-Sue

    Just found this. I’ve been hanging ours (six including the cats and even seven one year) on the piano as above. I do play the piano and like to practice every day. It’s simple enough to move the few that hang down to the keys and in front of my music and then hang them back up when I am done. They look really pretty there. I’d like to find another place to hang them but this has been working for several years. 

  2. Anonymous

    I love the ladder ideal.I have been using a child size coat rack for yrs but with the family growing I need more room.Thanks for sharing