Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. The magic of decorating, the joy of family traditions, and the cozy atmosphere created by twinkling lights and festive decor always make my heart happy. But every now and then, I find myself craving a little change. A fresh take on the same beloved decorations can make everything feel new again while keeping the sentimental value of family traditions intact.
A few weeks ago, I casually mentioned to my family that I was considering getting us all new Christmas stockings this year. I had my eye on something simple and elegant, like these:
{Pottery Barn}
That idea, however, was met with sheer horror. My kids, being creatures of habit, couldn’t believe I would even think of replacing the stockings we had always used. Their faces were filled with dismay as they imagined plain white stockings instead of our usual colorful, well-loved ones. My husband, ever the practical one, asked, “Why buy new stockings when we have perfectly good ones?”
And honestly, he had a point. Our stockings are cute, they hold years of memories, and the tradition of using them year after year is something I do love. But and this is a big but I am so tired of decorating with red for Christmas. As beautiful and festive as it is, sometimes you just need a change!
A Simple, Non-Commitment Way to Update Stockings
Since completely replacing our beloved stockings wasn’t an option, I came up with a way to refresh them while keeping everyone happy I fur-ified them!
Adding a faux fur trim to the stockings was the perfect compromise. It allowed me to bring in a fresh, neutral element while keeping our traditional stockings intact. Best of all, it was a super easy and completely non-committal project. If I ever want to go back to the original look, I absolutely can.
DIY Faux Fur Stocking Makeover
I already had some white faux fur left over from another project—something adorable that Mark made in high school woodshop years ago (I’ll have to show you that soon!). Rather than let the fabric go to waste, I decided to use it for this quick and simple upgrade.
Materials Needed:
- Faux fur fabric (white or any color of your choice)
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks
- Scissors
- Needle and thread (optional, for reinforcement)
- Stockings
Step-by-Step Process:
- Cut the Fur Fabric
Using sharp scissors, I cut the faux fur into strips that would fit around the top of each stocking. I made sure to leave about 2 inches of extra fabric at the top to fold over for a finished look. - Attach the Fur with Hot Glue
I applied a generous amount of hot glue to the back of the stocking and wrapped the faux fur strip around it. The extra 2-inch overhang was folded over the top edge of the stocking and secured with a bead of hot glue along the inside. This ensured that the fur trim looked clean and polished. - Minimal Glue on the Front
Since I wanted the option to return to the original design in the future, I was careful not to glue the fur directly onto the red velvet front of the stocking. Instead, I used just a small dot of hot glue at the top of the embroidered section to hold it in place. - Create a Fur Hanging Loop
To complete the look, I cut a small strip of fur, folded it over, and glued it inside the stocking as a hanging loop. This small detail helped tie everything together while reinforcing the function of the stocking.
The Result: A Cozy, Elevated Look
Once the glue dried, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. The stockings still had their original charm, but the fur trim gave them an elegant and cozy update. It was a simple but effective way to refresh my Christmas decor without losing the sentimental value of our traditional stockings.
The best part? My family was happy! They got to keep their beloved stockings, and I got the fresh, neutral update I was craving. It was a win-win situation!
Adding Personalized Touches
To finish off the look, I hung our initial ornaments on the stockings. We already had these glitter initials from Target’s dollar section, and they added a festive, personalized touch that made the stockings feel even more special.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before you start your own stocking transformation, here are a couple of things to be aware of:
- Fur fabric sheds—a lot! You might find little white fur fibers everywhere as you cut and handle the material. But don’t worry; a quick vacuum or lint roller will take care of it.
- Hot glue can get messy. The glue might seep through the fabric in some areas, but faux fur is very forgiving. If you end up with visible glue spots, just fluff up the fur with your fingers, and they’ll disappear.
What Else Can I Fur-ify?
After seeing how beautifully the stockings turned out, I couldn’t help but think—what else in my house could use a bit of faux fur magic? Tree skirts, throw pillows, even the edges of a holiday table runner—the possibilities are endless!
If you’re looking for a simple way to update your Christmas stockings without losing their sentimental value, I highly recommend trying this faux fur trim idea. It’s quick, easy, and completely reversible if you ever change your mind.
I hope this little project inspires you to give your own stockings a cozy refresh! Have a wonderful holiday season, and happy decorating!
