I've always admired those fancy Christmas Stocking holder thingys that go on the mantlepiece, weigh down the stocking and look gorgeous all at the same time (see the fancy example below)! And those personalised ones are even better, enabling Santa to identify the correct Stocking first time! However, with three children to purchase these for, I've never been able to justify the expense, especially at nearly $15-20 each!. So, this year I decided to make something similar myself on a limited budget!
I couldn't think of anything suitably dense to use as a weight heavy enough to hold a fully loaded stocking, and didn't want to risk breakages, so decided not to make a stocking holder... these are purely decorative markers to label each persons' stocking (stockings which I expect Santa will take down from the mantlepiece, fill with treats and leave in a prominent position at floor level... or so I've been reliably informed)!
You will need...
- Unfinished wooden pre-cut letter(s) - these are available in craft stores for about $2-3 depending on the size and font, but I've also seen them in DIY stores. You can also purchase them cheaply online on places like ebay for a few bucks. You will need the sort with flat bottoms that can stand freely on their own.
- Wooden pre-cut embellishments - these are optional, but add a little Christmas jazziness! Again, you'll find these easily in your local craft store! I chose small, thin snowflakes (they were only 49 c each!).
- Small pot(s) of acrylic paint - choose festive colors, or coordinate with your home decor. Contrasting or complementary colors are useful for the embellishments.
- Paint brushes
- Newspaper or similar to protect your worksurfaces, plus an apron etc...
- Glitter in matching colors to your paints.
- Multi-purpose craft or wood glue.
Firstly paint your letters in the colors you have chosen. If you have a mirror over your mantlepiece it is a good idea to make sure that you take the time to paint the back of your letter first, allow to dry before turning over... that way you won't see the ugly unfinished back of the letter in reflection! Paint the surface of the letter evenly (doing more than one coat if necessary), and while the paint is still wet sprinkle your matching glitter over the surface thickly so that it covers the paint. Leave to dry.
Repeat with any embellishments you are planning to use. I chose contrasting colors to match my brightly colored stockings. Leave to dry.
Once the paint is completely dry, carefully shake off any excess glitter that hasn't stuck to the paint. Decide where you would like to place the embellishment, before sticking in place with glue. Leave to dry again.
You can then simply stand your monogrammed stocking marker on the mantlepiece above the stocking, which you will have to attach with another method (I can recommend 3M Command removable hooks, adhesive hooks some of which can hold up to 5 lbs but that remove cleanly afterwards ... available in white, but also bronze).
I love this idea. It reminds me of the letters I did for the babies' nursery when I was pregnant.
I love this idea.......simple but very effective.
Thanks for your lovely comments, ladies!!