Make their holiday merry and bright with these one-of-a-kind Christmas stocking ideas.

Christmas is in the air! Lights are being hung, the halls are being decked, and there's a festive spirit everywhere you go. One of our favorite holiday traditions is hanging stockings by the fireplace. These colorful, oversized socks are the perfect canvas for creativity, allowing us to surprise our loved ones with thoughtful and delightful gifts.

However, sometimes knowing what to stuff inside your Christmas stocking can be tricky. Do you go the traditional route or jazz things up this year? No matter what, our top 10 Christmas stocking ideas are sure to get your gifting wheels turning!

1. Keep things traditional

Let's start with the classics. Traditional stocking stuffers are small, inexpensive items that add a touch of excitement and fun to Christmas morning. Some of our favorite stocking stuffers include candy canes, chocolates, small toys, scented candles, and handwritten notes.

2. Stuff 'em with experiences

Traditionally, stockings are filled with little knick-knacks, trinkets, and small goodies. But what if you could stuff them with the biggest gift of all — the gift of memories?

Experience gifts make an incredible stocking filler. They're small (simply fold the voucher into your stocking), they're unique, and they're unexpected! Plus, with Virgin Experience Gifts, you can shop thousands of adventures — from pilot lessons and hot air balloon rides to spa days, food tours, and more!

3. DIY holiday stockings

Grab some plain stockings from the store, then decorate the heck out of them! Use a hot glue gun to add trinkets, button, ribbons, any sort of favorite holiday flair. And don’t underestimate the power and beauty of fabric paint! Feeling extra-creative? You can always sew or knit your Christmas stockings to forego the store-bought variety.

4. Did someone say wine?

Those festive, oversized socks? They're the PERFECT size for a bottle of wine, don't you think? This stocking stuffer is incredibly easy. All you have to do is pick out their favorite red or white, slip the bottle into their stocking, and hang it on your mantle. Want to be a bit more discreet? Opt for a wine experience voucher instead!

5. Ornament stocking stuffers

This is a great way to annually fill a special someone’s stocking with a meaningful Christmas gift, instead of just more ‘stuff.’ Give an ornament that represents a special moment from this last year: a vacation, a new hobby, a unique date night, a favorite movie, a big accomplishment…. Then watch as the merry memories featured on your Christmas tree grow over the years!

6. R&R stocking

Spa Day

For many, the holiday season is a busy time. It can be hard to take time for yourself. That's where the R&R stocking comes in handy! Fill that stocking up with spa essentials like bubble bath, candles, avocado masks, and more. Make it even more special with one of these rejuvenating spa experiences!

7. Holly-jolly wrapping job

This Christmas stocking idea is a unique alternative to paper, bows and bags — especially as stores tend to hike up the prices on gift wrap goods to take advantage of consumer demands. Customized holiday stockings offer a festive, personal way to present small- to medium-sized gifts like jewelry, baked goods, gift cards, and more to kids from one to 92.

8. Secret Santa stockings

This type of holiday activity is fun for all — but it’s especially useful for larger families or big groups of friends/coworkers/etc. Have everyone draw the name of another participant. Set a monetary amount for stocking stuffers. Then surprise your lucky recipient with a fancy sock full of Christmas fun!

9. Global Christmas goodies

Christmas Fireplace

Diversify Christmas decorations by adding a splash of global customs! Choose a different country to feature each year, using its traditions to inspire stocking stuffer ideas, presentation, gifts, etc. For example, go French or Dutch, using shoes or clogs instead of hanging stockings; or make Christmas last longer by waiting until January 5th (the eve of the Epiphany) to fill stockings, as Italy and most South American countries do.

10. For the foodie

Food Tour

Who doesn't love a festive holiday treat? If you've got a foodie on your hands, stuffing their stocking full of delicious goodies is a must! Think baked goods, homemade jam, coffee, tea, or even gourmet chocolate.

Our favorite foodie idea? These guided food tours, of course! Simply slip the experience voucher into their stocking and get ready to dazzle their taste buds!

These Christmas stocking ideas are just the tip-top of the entire Christmas tree, though. The possibilities for decking your halls, walls and fireplaces are as endless as the memories you’ll make trying them out. So here’s wishing that this is just the beginning of ways to bring good tidings of great joy to you and yours — this holiday season and in years to come.

Browse Virgin Experience Gifts‘ selection of unique experiences to find the perfect gift or stocking stuffer this year!