How to Make a Paper Christmas Stocking

This holiday season, design your own Christmas stockings as creative gift bags to hold small presents and gift cards, or to playfully decorate your home. Kids will love this easy craft and can put their imaginations to good use while embellishing the paper art.

Things You'll Need

• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Ribbon
• Glue
• White cardstock or felt
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Create a stocking template if you want to make several of the same size and shape. Draw your design on thick, sturdy material, like a manila folder, that can withstand several tracings. You can print a template off of the Internet if you're not wild about the shape you created.

2. Choose paper to create the stockings. Heavyweight cardstock can hold slightly dimensional objects like compact disc cases, while thin patterned paper is better for flat items like gift cards. Get the best of both by designing the stocking with cardstock and layering decorative paper over the front for a pretty touch.

3. Trace the pattern onto the backside of your paper. Create two identical shapes to be the front and back of the stocking. Cut them out with scissors.

4. Line the shapes up and punch holes along the edges about 1 inch apart and about a 1/2 inch in from the side.

5. Wind string or ribbon through the holes, lashing the two sides together. If you're going to fill the stockings, use a looser weave to accommodate more items.

6. Use white cardstock, felt or faux fur to create a top for the paper stocking.

7. Embellish the front with letter stickers, small gems or beads positioned to make a pretty monogram. Create a design with other items like glitter glue, buttons, Christmas-themed stickers or paper flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're creating stockings as Christmas decorations only, you can just glue the two pieces together or even use a single layer to save time.

Resources

• Print a simple stocking pattern