The best Christmas stockings of 2025, from nostalgic classics to trendier styles

Peeking inside of a stocking on Christmas morning is one of the best parts of the holiday —as long as you're on the nice list and it isn't filled with coal. The best Christmas stockings add a spark of festive cheer to the mantel, with plenty of room for candy and stocking stuffers.

We've scoured the internet and talked to an expert — Sarah Dyne, an Old World Christmas Master Decorator — to pick out the best stockings. Our picks are beautiful, durable, and timeless, and many are personalizable. Our top pick is Pottery Barn's Classic Velvet Stockings, with a simple, classic look that looks festive hanging above any fireplace.

Be sure to also check out our other best Christmas holiday decor guides, including the best artificial Christmas tree, and best Christmas lights.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Our top picks for the best Christmas stockings

Best overall: Pottery Barn Classic Velvet Stocking - See at Pottery Barn

Best knit: Eugenie2 Knitted Christmas Stocking - See at Etsy

Best personalized: L.L.Bean Christmas Needlepoint Stocking - See at L.L.Bean

Best vintage-style: Lands' End Needlepoint Christmas Stockings - See at Lands' End

Best quilted: Rose Cottage Patterns Quilted Christmas Stocking - See at Etsy

Best family: Kunyida Christmas Stockings - See at Amazon

Best for kids: Pottery Barn Kids Quilted Christmas Stocking - See at Pottery Barn

Best for sports fans: Fanatics Team Christmas Stockings - See at Fanatics

Best for dogs: Frisco Paw Holiday Personalized Dog Stocking - See at Chewy

Best for cats: PersonalizationMall Santa Belt Cat Christmas Stocking - See at Etsy

Best overall

Pottery Barn is one of the best places to buy Christmas decorations, boasting a huge selection of stylish and classic holiday decor. The Classic Velvet Stocking will stand out on your mantel, especially if you get one for everyone in your family. The simple red velvet and ivory or forest green trim is the most iconic color combination for Christmas.

If you want to add a special touch to these effortless stockings, you can have each one monogrammed by Pottery Barn for an extra $16. Be sure to note the potential for longer processing time when adding personalization.

Best knit

If you like the old-fashioned, handmade appeal of a knitted stocking, then you'll love these colorful Knitted Christmas Stockings from Etsy. The classic designs include snowflakes, reindeer, stars, and trees in a mix of green, red, and white.

These stockings are hand-knit, and you can add your name to the top. It will be embroidered in contrasting thread. Remember, though, artisans on Etsy sometimes run out of stock faster than traditional stores, so don't wait too long to place your order.

Best personalized

You can make the L.L.Bean Christmas Needlepoint Stocking your own when you choose from eight different needlepoint designs and two different monogram fonts. In addition to two fonts, there are over 40 monogram colors to choose from. Personalization is an extra $8. Tallying up all of the available personalization options, there are almost 800 different possibilities with L.L. Bean's stocking.

The designs on these 18-inch-long stockings range from a cozy Christmas camper to a classic Santa flying his sleigh. When it comes time to add your name, you'll see a preview of exactly how it will appear on the stocking.

Best vintage-style

Lands' End has been making Needlepoint Christmas Stockings for more than two decades. There are several designs to choose from, including sledding penguins, festive dogs, a nutcracker, and a train. That means you are sure to find a favorite for every member of your family.

Not only can you personalize them with a name, word, or initials, you get a choice of several fonts and colors. The fronts are hand-needle-pointed with 100% wool thread. The backs are cotton velvet, and there's a poly/cotton lining that makes it easy for Santa to slip goodies inside.

Best quilted

Cute Christmas stockings decorated with Santa and snowmen have their place, but if you're looking for something a bit more sophisticated, a simple quilted stocking might better suit your decor.

Made of cotton lined with muslin, the stockings come in five patterns. You can also have it personalized with your name or initials. Santa is going to be impressed when he finds this beauty hanging over the fireplace. Be sure to note the two to three-week turnaround for this personalized stocking.

Best family

This set comes with six knit stockings, enough for most families. The price comes out to about $5 per stocking, which is a really good value, especially if you need to buy a stocking for everyone in your family.

The stockings are available in three sizes: 14, 18, or 20 inches. They also come in a variety of color options and combinations including blue, ivory, khaki, and burgundy.

Best for kids

Admittedly, a stocking full of gifts is going to thrill kids of any age, but lots of kids will be extra excited about a stocking depicting Mickey, Minnie, or Rudolph. Pottery Barn's Quilted Christmas stockings come in over 40 design, including some that light up or glow in the dark. Choose from a unicorn, a dinosaur, a teddy bear in a Santa hat, and more.

The cotton stockings can be personalized with their names.At 20 inches long, it's on the bigger side for a stocking, which kids will appreciate.

Best for sports fans

With nearly every sport available, including MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and even college teams, you'll find your favorite logos on these team-colored stockings. What a great gift for the sports enthusiast in your life.

The stockings are made of soft polyester micro-fleece with a faux fleece cuff and embroidered details. All have the team logo on both the cuff and the body of the stocking. The 16-inch stockings have a color-coordinated hanging loop at the top.

Best for dogs

If you consider your dog a part of your family, they deserve a stocking hanging on the mantel beside everyone else's. You can have this stocking embroidered with your dog's name (up to nine characters) and choose from seven thread colors, including black, gold, red, and white.

The stocking is made of velvet and is fully lined, making it durable. Just don't leave it on the ground for your dog to play with; it's not that durable. It measures 13.5 inches and has a hanging loop at the top.

Best for cats

This stocking is shaped like many cats' favorite treat —perhaps it's a preview of what will be waiting for them inside. Like our dog stocking pick, this fun design can be personalized and will stand out among your other Christmas decorations.

You can choose from a script or faux handwritten text for the custom embroidery.It's made out of polyester and has a loop at the top for hanging.

Christmas stocking FAQs

What is traditionally in a Christmas stocking?

Many people fill Christmas stockings with small presents and treats. "Traditionally, gold coins (or chocolate coins) or an orange (or chocolate orange) fill the toe of a Christmas stocking. The rest of the stocking is filled with sweet treats, small gifts, toys, games, and books," says Sarah Dyne, Old World Christmas Master Decorator.

What do you put in a Christmas stocking for adults?

In addition to traditional stocking stuffers, consider adding thoughtful gifts that fit your giftee's interests. Perfumes and colognes, gift cards, playing cards, jewelry, and, of course, candy are all great items to add to a stocking.

How much do you spend on Christmas stockings?

This is a personal decision. If you want a stocking that will last through many Christmases, plan to spend at least $25 and then extra if you add personalization for an additional fee.

How big should Christmas stockings be?

According to Dyne, Christmas stockings are typically 18 to 24 inches long. Most of the stockings in our guide fall within that range, though some are a bit smaller.

How should a Christmas stocking hang?

"Stockings can be hung from a mantel from nails, weighted stocking hangers, or no-damage stick-on hooks. For homes without a fireplace mantel, stockings can be hung on stair railings, bookshelves, buffet cabinets, or even on a wall under some garland and holiday pictures!" Dyne says.

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