Can you hear those sleigh bells ringing? Christmas is almost here! This fun, family-oriented holiday is a favorite of kids and adults alike. Many like to festively decorate their homes for the holiday, adorning them in garlands, wreaths, ornaments, and of course, the classic stockings hanging from the mantel. But stockings alone can look a bit bare. What if we told you that you could imbue them with sparkle and holiday cheer? Below, we provide some tips for applying rhinestones to Christmas stockings so that you can make your decor look merrier.

Choose a Design

What kind of design do you want to create? Do you want to create a trim around the cuff? Monogram your stocking with your initials? Or you can try a more intricate design, like a rhinestone tree, snowman, or reindeer.

Choose Your Rhinestones

Next, you need to select your rhinestones. You can use either flatback or hotfix rhinestones for this project; go with whichever attachment method you prefer. You’ll also need to consider the size of the rhinestones. Do you want to use one uniform size? Or do you want to use several sizes to add depth to your design?

Another tip for applying rhinestones to Christmas stockings is to choose a festive color palette. Green rhinestones are a fantastic choice, as are red, gold and even our fabulous crystal clear rhinestones by Priceless Crystals™ which are colors commonly associated with Christmas.

Choose a Glue

If you’re using flatback rhinestones, the next step is to pick a glue. If your stockings are velvet, we highly recommend using industrial E6000 glue; for other fabrics, you can opt for glues like Gem-Tac or Jewel It.

Apply Your Rhinestones

Once you have your stocking, your rhinestones, and your tools, you can sit down and start to work on your craft. Place your rhinestones into a tray for easy access. Then, place a barrier (like a piece of cardboard) inside your stocking and lay it flat on a table or another surface.

If you’re using hotfix rhinestones, heat up the glue on the back side and press your rhinestones one by one onto the stocking. If using flatback rhinestones, fill a small syringe with your glue. Apply a small dot to a rhinestone, then pick it up with your pick-up tool and attach it to your stocking. Repeat until your design is complete and the glue is dry.

For the bulk rhinestones and tools you need to create a one-of-a-kind rhinestone Christmas stocking, shop at Rhinestones Unlimited for a variety of high-quality rhinestones available in various shapes, colors, and sizes. For more decorating ideas, watch our special stocking video using crystal clear rhinestones from Priceless Crystals™, using both round and our brand new flat back shapes to create beautiful snowflakes!