Unusual Christmas stockings for the big day

Folk stories claim that as Father Christmas pushed presents down the chimney, they would often become entangled with hanging socks that were drying over the fireplace.

And so became the tradition to stuff stockings with small gifts, sweets and fruit.

Today, Christmas stockings hang from bedposts, come in all shapes and sizes and are stuffed with all manner of gifts. But in case you were short of an idea or two, here are a few ways to spruce up your stocking and give it a modern make over...

Wedge a wellie

Do something quirky and stuff winter boots with gifts like these wellies. Always scattered around the house at Christmas time, boots are a modern alternative to the cloth stocking with more room for pressies!

Make socks fit for a skater

Give your stocking a glam make over by making them look like fancy footwear. Elegant heels, chubby boots and even ice skates are all cool alternatives, especially if you have a budding ice dancer on your hands.

Name your noel stocking

Add a personal twist to your stockings by embroidering family members' names on them. These keepsakes add a sentimental value to stitched textiles and will remain in the family for years and begin a new tradition.

Create a stairway to heaven

Stockings no longer traditionally hang over the fireplace - your enlarged socks may rest on the floor, sit on a bed or swing from the staircase. By putting them here, children will storm the stairs on Christmas morning to inspect their goodies.

Design bunting with small stockings

Add a Christmas stocking to every room with fun designs like this. Bunting hanging above curtains or homemade advent calendars draped over the mantelpiece are modern ways of incorporating the sock on the Christmas landscape.

Back a sack this year

Channel Santa and his sack with these smart designs. Mini sacks look charming with some stitched detail and the rustic hessian shade creates a true country Christmas feel when put under the bushy tree and wooded garlands.

Position presents in a pot

Get rid of the stocking all together with a simple display like this one. Fill little bags with your stocking fillers and arrange in a bowl like a platter of delicious goodies and keep people guessing what they are until Christmas Day.