Last year I made wooden name tags for our stockings. I wanted a creative way to label our stockings. I looked for little initials in all the fun, artsy stores but I just couldn’t find what we needed. At the same time I was making my distressed wood signs. I had these little remnant pieces of plywood lying on the floor and they looked a little like name tags. I tried a few different ways to add our names and voila! I had the cutest solution for our stockings!
So they made me smile when I took our Christmas decorations out this year. I tend to forget the new stuff I collect each year – anyone else with me?
I thought I’d share the easy instructions again if you’re also looking for a cute and creative way to label your stockings.
What I love most about these labels is that they’re rustic, imperfect and nontraditional. I added a pom pom and they look so sweet.
You’ll need the following:
- a piece of quarter inch plywood
- stain – I used leftover stain we used on our deck
- sandpaper
- a saw and drill
- an alphabet stamp set with an ink pad
- a thin black sharpie
- ribbon of your choice
I stained a full sheet of plywood before I cut the pieces because I wanted the edges to be raw wood and contrast with the darker front of each tag. After the stain has dried, cut your pieces of plywood into strips the size of your tags. Mine are 1-1/4″ x 4-1/2″. Sand the edges of each tag so they are smooth and rounded.
Next drill a hole in each end with a quarter inch drill bit. Sand the edges of the holes lightly if needed.
I used this alphabet stamp set. I love all lowercase letters but there are several different styles available. And I’ve found so many uses for these stamps: thank you cards, a Father’s Day gift idea, canvas bags, gift wrapping, and organization labels.
Using your stamps add your names to your name tags. As you can see mine don’t line up perfectly. But this adds to their charm.
After the ink has dried I went over each letter with a thin black sharpie. I thought the ink was a little faint and I wasn’t sure if it would rub off.
After you finish filling in the letters your tags are ready to hang. I used a coordinating ribbon and tied them to the handles of our stockings.
As a bonus, I added a handmade pom-pom to each stocking. Our stockings came with two pom-poms already but they needs something else. Pom poms are so easy to make and surprisingly, I’ve made them for so many different purposes: stocking hats, key chains, to decorate a basket, and as a decorative banner for our daughter’s room. Check out my tutorial on how to make your own pom poms. Of course, you can buy pom poms already made at most art supply stores.
I just love how these nametags and pom poms have added a really unique and personal touch to our stockings and holiday decor. And I think I can use these tags throughout the year – somehow, somewhere? They’re so sweet I don’t want to pack them away when the holidays are over.
Maybe you need nametags for your stockings? Or maybe you just want to try something unique for your holiday decor. I think you’ll be happy with decor that’s meaningful and intentional. Even it it takes a little longer to get there.
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