And the stockings were hung by the chimney with flair….

The first decorations I bring out for the holidays are the stockings where I promptly hang them on the fireplace, door, staircase or bedpost, signifying the official beginning of the season. I am a passionate DIYer and made my stockings for my family several years ago but I am always interested in adding a new one to the collection as we add new family members, including new pets. Whatever your tradition, whether you are buying new stockings this year for the first time or adding to your existing assortment, you can certainly make your own with little or no cost. I admit that I start by going to the Queen of the holidays, Martha Stewart for new ideas. Not to disappoint, in her 2011 holiday issue I found this great photo of simple but interesting stockings that could easily be made and embellished or left simple uniquely different, one stocking to the next. She shares her patterns on her website, www.marthastewart.com/stocking -template, with suggestion of where to find fabrics. Although these are great resources, my favorite places to hunt for holiday fabrics is at local thrift stores For a fraction of the cost, you can use old sweaters, jackets, skirts and shirts, taking them apart and making them into great holiday stockings and gifts. She also featured some great stocking ideas in a previous issue The fun of the holidays is making your home about YOU! Have fun and enjoy making your stockings this holiday season. Have even more fun filling them! -Nanci S