Hanging stockings above the fireplace on Christmas Eve (or before) is one of the most exciting holiday traditions, for kids and adults alike. But if you don’t have a mantel to hang them from, that doesn't have to stop you (or Santa) from participating.
Recent stocking decor trends offer sweet and simple tricks for creating a faux mantel—which blends holiday spirit with DIY genius—and it’s set to save your Christmas morning.
No-Mantel Stocking Ideas
For a low maintenance and rustic-looking mantel dupe, Instagram creator Amy Suter Designs says all you need is a thick tree branch, your choice of Command hooks or a hammer and nails, soft or floral wire, and screw eyes—all of which you can easily find at your local hardware store.
“No mantle to hang your stockings? I got you covered!” she wrote in an Instagram post. “You can create this faux mantle look that I've done for years now to hang our stockings!”
Start this DIY by picking up a fallen branch of your own (if you live near a wooded area), or visit a local craft or hardware store for a more manicured version. Just be sure to choose one that’s big enough to fit all your stockings, but not too long—you don’t want it to overwhelm the rest of your holiday decorations. Fashion your outdoorsy DIY into the length of a lookalike mantel, or opt for a shorter shelf that’s big enough for your family or housemates.
The installation of this makeshift mantel is fairly simple—any DIYer will be up to the task. Suter instructs her followers to attach screw eyes to the branch first, then hammer nails or affix Command hooks on the wall you want to hang the mantel. If you’ve gone the Command hook route, simply rest the branch atop the hooks once you’ve let the adhesive set.
If the branch is too heavy for this method or you’ve opted for nails, just make sure the screw eyes line up with the nails. Then, simply attach the branch (and cover up any sharp edges and pointy nails before use).
Once the branch has been fully secured on the wall, Suter suggests lining the branch with garlands—she used four but says you can customize your design however you wish. Attach the garlands or other decorations with your soft wire. And if you want to get a little extra, affix a set of string lights to the display—this will give your “mantel” a warm and cozy glow. Just be careful of displaying shelf decorations on top since the branch isn’t primed to support the weight a regular mantel can.
After you're happy with the details, test out the contraption by hanging your stockings from the bottom. Additional nails hammered into the bottom of the branch are the easiest way to go here, as they allow you to quickly remove and replace stockings without having to untie them. But if you’re in a pinch, the stockings can be tied to sections of the branch, too.
If you’re worried that your branch won’t support the weight of stuffed stockings, you can switch things up a little and create a faux mantel that covers Command hooks or nails: By nailing, hooking, or mounting each stocking directly to the wall, your stockings will be supported individually but can still be covered by a faux branch mantel—making it look like they’re hanging from the mantel itself.
JOYELLE WEST
The versatility of this hack makes it easy to adjust to any space and style. User @bymeghang uses clear hooks and a smaller branch to create an adorable stocking shelf that is tailor-cut to fit her wall’s detailing. She also adds garlands and gold bells for a classy, neutral holiday look.
If you want a mantel hack that doesn't require as much effort, you can also use a wooden ladder to hang your stockings like Jordan Farmer of House Becomes Home Interiors demonstrated on her account. Farmer ties holiday decorations to the end of her blanket ladder and hangs her stockings from each rung with a rubber band, making an adorable stocking stand that also fits neatly into smaller spaces. You can also hang string lights or holiday garlands for extra cheer.