How to Create Easy Stocking Gift Tags for Christmas

Every year when the holiday rush hits, I find myself reaching for projects that look special but don’t take all day to create. Gift tags are one of my favorite ways to add a handmade touch without adding stress, and these stocking-shaped tags quickly became a new favorite. They’re simple, polished, and festive, thanks to the Nested Stocking Die Set and a mix of patterned papers and rub-ons from Scrapbook.com. If you’ve ever wanted something cute and cohesive for your gifts but didn’t want to pull out every tool in your craft room, these tags are the perfect solution. They come together beautifully, and you can customize them endlessly with what you already have on hand.

How to Create Easy Stocking Gift Tags for Christmas

Stocking Shapes That Do the Heavy Lifting

One of the reasons these tags work so well is the design of the Nested Stocking Die Set. I used the third stocking in from the largest for both the stocking and the topper, and it’s just the right size. It’s big enough to showcase the adorable Christmas Animals 1 Rub-on Transfers, but still small enough to feel like a true gift tag. I cut four stockings and four toppers from the Mixed Media A2 Smooth White Cardstock Paper Pad. That cardstock is sturdy and smooth, so it’s perfect for layering, but it also gives you a clean space to write a message on the back later.

A little behind-the-scenes insight: I love stocking shapes because they create an instant nostalgic feel. Growing up, stockings were the first thing I’d run to on Christmas morning. Now, when I work on projects like this, there’s a little spark of that same excitement.

Patterned Papers That Tell the Story

Patterned paper is what makes these stocking tags look instantly finished. I rummaged through my holiday stash from Scrapbook.com and picked four prints: something cheerful from the Gingham A2 Patterned Paper Pad, something classic from the Holly Express A2 Patterned Paper Pad, and two coordinating designs from the Nutcracker A2 Patterned Paper Pad. Each one brings a different energy to the stocking shape. The gingham adds warmth, the Holly Express prints have that traditional holiday charm, and the Nutcracker pad adds a fun, whimsical touch.

One thing I always tell other card makers: stocking tags are an excellent project for using patterned paper that feels a little too bold for card fronts. When you scale it down to a small die-cut tag, even the busiest patterns look polished and intentional.

Bringing the Characters to Life

The real magic on these tags comes from the Christmas Animals 1 Rub-on Transfers. The artwork is adorable and crisp, and because they’re rub-ons, they go on smoothly without any stamping or coloring required. I added each focal image to its patterned paper stocking, and here’s a pro tip that’s worked well for me: after you place the rub-on, run the piece through your die cutting machine a couple of times. It helps the transfer adhere perfectly without missing any edges.

Each animal adds personality to the tags. The raccoon on the rocking horse makes the buffalo check stocking feel playful. The cozy squirrel holding a cup feels at home on the soft dotted background. I like to think of them as mini storybook moments, which makes the tags even more fun to attach to gifts.

Sentiments That Finish the Look

One of the easiest ways to unify a project is through matching sentiments. The Christmas Animals rub-on sheets include several sentiment strips, so I trimmed a few and placed one on each stocking topper. Because I wanted the backs of the toppers to look as clean as the fronts, I cut the topper shape again from shimmer white cardstock and adhered it to the back. The shimmer adds a subtle festive touch but also hides any layering seams.

This is one of those small finishing choices that makes the whole project feel intentional. A clean back may not seem important at first, but when someone flips the tag over to read your message, it makes a difference.

Layers, Details, and That Final Spark

Once the stockings and toppers were assembled, I added a few of the gold foil accents from the same rub-on sheets. These little stars and flourishes bring everything together and give each tag that extra holiday sparkle.

Then it was time for the hardware. I grabbed my Crop-a-Dile, punched a hole at the top of each tag, and added a gold eyelet. To tie everything together, I threaded red and white baker’s twine through each one. Twine is always my go-to for holiday tags because it adds warmth and nostalgia, and it doesn’t overpower the design.

Why These Tags Work

What I love most about this project is that it solves a common holiday crafting dilemma: how to make something adorable and impactful without spending hours on it. These stocking tags look like they took far more time than they actually did, thanks to the combination of patterned papers, well-designed dies, and those beautifully illustrated rub-ons.

They’re quick, customizable, and easy to duplicate for batches. And because the backside is clean mixed media cardstock, you can write a heartfelt message or even turn them into keepsake ornaments if you’d like.

These tags brought a little extra joy to my holiday prep this year, and I hope they inspire you to try a set of your own. If you’re looking for a fun, unique, and stress-free project for the season, stocking gift tags are a wonderful place to start.

Easy Stocking Tags You Can Make Today! | Holiday Gift Tags with Scrapbook.com Supplies Video Tutorial:

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Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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