How can I make Christmas stockings recycling/upcycling stuff?

stockingsWe’ve had an email from Beth, telling us about her great Christmas stocking substitute:

My lucky little boys get too many presents to fit into an actual stocking. In the past, I’ve got them plastic bags from the Christmas shop but when I was thinking about what to do for them this year, I remembered the novelty glittery T-shirts I had to wear for work last year. I turned them inside out, sewed along the bottom and righted them again, instant festive swag bags!

A great idea, Beth. I’ve also seen pillowcases used in the same way – felt letters and decorations tacked on so they can be removed and used as pillowcases again – and there are plenty of patterns out there for making keepsake stockings out of scraps (although they’re more like keepsake decorations instead of present-filled ones).

Another idea – although for adults more than kids – is to give a nice reusable shopping bag as part of the gift instead of using a gift bag: if it’s not too overtly Christmassy, they’ll be able to use it all year around. There are plenty of ways to reuse/recycle/upcycle things into shopping bags – including out of tshirts and vest tops.

Any other specific stocking/swag bag suggestions though?

(Photo by arttg)

Related Categories

Christmas, clothes and fabric, items, reverse this

Search for other related items



3 Responses to “How can I make Christmas stockings recycling/upcycling stuff?”


  1. Eleanor says:

    You could use a pair of tights instead of a stocking, you can fit lots of presents in those, especially if they are good & stretchy!

  2. Olia says:

    Cut out the stocking shapes out of old plastic place mats, punch halls around perimeter and sew together with a ribbon.

  3. Uluska says:

    Reuse old jeans, blankets, pieces of carpet to make stockings.



Leave a Reply

Your name
Your email (it will not be published. If you want people to contact you, leave your email address in the message too.)
Your website (if you've got one)