Hanging stockings at the fireplace is one of these touchy subjects if you don’t have the right tools that won’t damage your mantle. I’ve got the perfect solution that won’t cost you so much and still get the effect you’re looking to achieve.
What’s the big deal with hanging stockings?
I’m a huge fan of Christmas and love to decorate, but the biggest problem I have is the usual overpriced items that cost more than they should. If it has Christmas added into the name of a product, it’s going to cost 3x more than usual. No matter where I shop, whether it’s online or at the discount store, all decorative Christmas accessories always cost more. They sell mantle hooks that are supposed to keep your mantle free from nails or any damage.
Here’s what I’ve found about these over-the-top accessories that don’t work at all. They aren’t attached to anything and can fall way too easily if you’re not careful. Supposedly, they use the weight of the stocking to keep steady, while the top rail of each hanger is using counterbalance to stay on your mantel. One strong wind or a careless slip of the hand can cause these hooks to fall down. Hopefully, not while you have your fireplace going!
Even with these kinds of hooks being sold, the cost per hook is simply insane! It’s nearly the same cost of a paperweight you buy for putting on top of your desk…
Is there a better solution?
Not every fireplace mantel is going to have the same shaped shelf edge and the thickness will all have variations depending on the molding shape. I have a simple fireplace that has a two-inch upper-shelf edge along the top. Most mantel tops are around three inches thick which might not work for you with this idea. I found that my local hardware store has a great section for curtain rods and rings.
They were selling a couple packs of Bypass C-rings that were being sold at discount. I grabbed these just in time since I thought they would be good for hanging some curtains in my study room. That didn’t work out so well but it did work perfectly for using them as stocking hangers. The brand I had was imported from the UK (which is probably why it was being cleared out), but I found the brand on Amazon.
The way Bypass C-ring works is to slip over a curtain rod and have a plastic insert so it doesn’t scratch the metal rod itself. This is perfect for my wooden mantel with won’t dent it or leave marks when I place them all along the edge. The best part is that I paid about $8.00 at the time for a set of 8 steel rings with plastic inserts. They all come with a little hook ringlet at the base so you can tie on your stocking with a decorative bow.
If you can’t find a good price on Amazon, you can always check your local curtain shop or hardware store for these types of Bypass C-rings if they have them in stock. Just be sure to measure if these will be big large enough to slide onto the edge of your mantel.
If you don’t have a traditional mantel, don’t fret, there are plenty of ways to hang your Christmas cheer without one.