Birthday stocking

Abstract

A decorative receptacle capable of containing and supporting gift and food items to be presented as a gift in recognition of an individual's birthday. The birthday receptacle includes an add-on loop for attaching trinkets, jewelry, or other decorative or gift items of a size capable of being supported by the add-on loop. The birthday receptacle may be included as one component of a kit having a container of fabric paint and a brush to allow the consumer to customize the exterior surface of the receptacle.

1 . A decorative birthday receptacle for holding birthday gifts and food items comprising: 
 a cloth receptacle member having an exterior surface, an interior surface enclosing a void of sufficient size to contain gifts and food items, and one open end for receiving objects that are placed inside said receptacle;    personalized indicia that may include, but are not limited to, the name of the gift recipient and/or a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations to the exterior surface of the receptacle; and    one or more add-on loops for securing trinkets representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight that is capable of being attached to said add-on loop.    
   
   
       2 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of said receptacle is decorated with alphanumeric characters, graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination.  
   
   
       3 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle preferably is decorated with congratulatory words relating to an individual's birthday as well as graphic art, pictures, photographs, or all of these in combination that symbolize, connote, or evoke suggestions of congratulations or well-wishes for the individual's birthday.  
   
   
       4 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is useful as a decoration capable of being hung or displayed in another suitable manner or is used for holding gifts or food items placed inside of said receptacle in recognition of the individual's birthday.  
   
   
       5 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is constructed preferably from polyester, although any other suitable natural or synthetic cloth material may also be used to construct said receptacle.  
   
   
       6 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle contains quilting material to provide the receptacle with a soft, plush, quilted feel to the touch.  
   
   
       7 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the cloth material of the exterior surface of the receptacle includes a pattern.  
   
   
       8 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the cloth material of the interior surface of the receptacle includes a pattern.  
   
   
       9 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the receptacle is decorated or adorned with buttons, rhinestones, jewels, trim, ribbons, fringes, ruffles, lace, stitching, personalized indicia, non-personalized indicia representing well-wishes for a happy birthday, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, patches that personalized or non-personalized indicia, graphic art, logos, pictures, photographs, or a combination of all of these, or any other ornamental or decorative object that can be attached to the exterior surface of said receptacle.  
   
   
       10 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a loop of material constructed from any suitable material and forming a closed opening through which a nail, screw, tack, or other suitable securing member can be inserted to attach said receptacle to a wall or other surface for hanging as a display or for storage.  
   
   
       11 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes attachment areas for, or is constructed from a material capable of, engaging a detachable patch or other object having at least one surface comprising hook-and-loop fasteners, low-tack adhesive, or other suitable fastening means.  
   
   
       12 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein the patch preferably is constructed from polyester so as to form a surface on which fabric paint or fabric ink may be applied by an individual or by mechanical means to personalize said receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is constructed from one or more pieces of natural or synthetic cloth material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together to form said receptacle.  
   
   
       14 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 13 , wherein the interior surface of the receptacle preferably is constructed from an inner layer of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the exterior surface of the receptacle, and the exterior surface of the receptacle preferably is constructed from an outer layer of material stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached to the material forming the interior surface of the receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 14 , wherein the inner layer of material and the outer layer of material are stitched, sewn, or otherwise permanently attached together, thereby creating a void between said inner and outer layers of material.  
   
   
       16 . The birthday receptacle of  claim 15 , wherein the void created by the attachment of the inner layer of material to the outer layer of material is stuffed with some soft, plush, natural or synthetic material that increases the overall softness and plushness of the receptacle.  
   
   
       17 . A kit for personalizing a decorative birthday receptacle for holding birthday gifts and food items comprising: 
 one or more cloth receptacle members having an exterior surface, an interior surface enclosing a void of sufficient size to contain gifts and food items, and one open end for receiving objects that are placed inside said receptacle;    one or more containers of fabric paint that may contain one or more colors of fabric paint for adding personalized indicia that can be a name or names, a brief personalized message of birthday congratulations, or any other indicia to the exterior surface of the receptacle    one or more paint application apparatuses, but preferably a brush or brushes, for applying the fabric paint to the exterior surface of the receptacle; and    one or more add-on loops for securing trinkets representing birthday well-wishes, jewelry, or any other item of a sufficiently small enough size and weight that is capable of being attached to said add-on loop.    
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein said kit may also contain fabric ink pens of one or more colors and other items allowing personalization of the receptacle, including, but not limited to, fabric glue, glitter, ribbon, yarn, string, trinkets, charms, cut-out alphanumeric characters, sewing needles, buttons, and rhinestones.  
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the fabric paint or fabric ink pens are used to add personalized indicia, messages, or artwork to the exterior surface of the receptacle.  
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the fabric paint or fabric ink pens are used to add personalized indicia, messages, or artwork to a patch that can be detachable or that is permanently attached to the exterior surface of said receptacle.