Here’s how to hang Christmas stockings whether you have a mantel or not

Hanging them carefully means doing so safely and with minimal damage while still ensuring they are enjoyed in their full glory and filling capacity. In addition to creative ways to hang stockings, you’ll also find tips and tricks to avoid seasonal mishaps.

Invest in suspenders

If you have a mantel, avoid driving nails or hooks into the pretty facade. Instead, choose a set of sturdy suspenders. You can add some Command hooks for convenience, or look for a set that can be placed on top and double as decoration. Just try them out when you arrive to see how much weight they can hold. You can also put the suspenders somewhere else that don’t need to be glued. Try a bookshelf!

Beautify your staircase decoration

Stair banisters are crying out for Christmas stair decorations, so why not incorporate stockings into the mix? The Fynes Designs blogger simply secures the garter loops around the railing with a ribbon, but you can also use cable ties for more security and hide them under a garland. Or use the freestanding garters discussed previously and place them on the edges of the steps.

Hang them in the window

Let everyone outside enjoy what’s hanging inside by hanging the stockings on your window. You can hang them from handles, glue Command hooks to frames or glass, or use large suction cup hooks. And if they get too heavy after filling, just lean them on the windowsill on Christmas Day.

Deck the halls

If you have spare wall space or can easily take down some art during the holiday season, use that space to hang stockings. Or better yet, if you have a closet to store all your winter coats, you can use the entryway coat hooks to hang up the season’s stockings instead, like blogger Angela Marie Made. It makes your home very inviting to everyone who comes through the door. The hooks are also sturdy enough for many gifts.

Lean on an overhead ladder

Ceiling ladders are a cozy and practical decoration idea for your living space at any time of the year. In addition to throw blankets, they can also be used to hang other decorative balls. They also make presenting Christmas inventory particularly easy! Simply hang hooks or tie with ribbon to secure, like blogger Abby Organizes. (Bonus: She also has instructions on how to build a ladder yourself!)

Take a stand

If you’re so inclined, you can skip the repurposing and purchase a sturdy, freestanding garter belt designed specifically for this purpose. You can make it fancier and decorate the top with garland or order a personalized version. Either way, you can vary the number of stockings you put on it and the place where they are placed, all while being confident that they won’t collapse.

AnnMarie Mattila is the Commerce Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering home, fashion, beauty and more.