The Bauble Stockings Story

Spurred by a special Christmas morning family tradition, an Atlanta entrepreneur weaves together the pleasures of gifting and giving back.
It wasn’t until her husband proposed in December 2011 that Kate Stewart realized the holiday pastime she cherished most was exclusive to her family. Throughout her childhood, Kate’s father had tucked a teeny token for her mother into a miniature needlepoint stocking that hung from their Christmas tree, deeming it her bauble stocking. When Kate’s friends were baffled by the concept, and they couldn’t find a trace of the tradition anywhere else, she founded Bauble Stockings to share the heartfelt custom.

Since her mother had hand-stitched the original stocking, it was essential that each design in the collection invoke a similar sense of nostalgia. The initial challenge lay in production, and it took Kate and her husband, Peter, years of research and globe-trotting to connect with a group of more than 400 Haitian needlework artisans through Good Threads Needlepoint who could fabricate Bauble Stockings on a large scale at a fair wage. 

Perfect for handwritten sentiments or hints leading to a particular present, notepads and small cards feature select coordinating artwork. Those with a knack for hand-stitched crafts can purchase a DIY Bauble Stocking kit in one of the best-selling canvases.

Whether customers fill them with pearls and plane tickets, present them at place settings, or slip in simple notes of thanks, the ever-growing list of imaginative ideas assures Kate she’s on the right path.

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