10 Office Christmas Decorating Contest Ideas: Fun and creative ways to make your office holiday decor unforgettable

Last year, one of my clients asked if we could design an office Christmas setup that looked “like Santa’s workshop… but make it modern.” I laughed at first, but then realized small constraints often spark the boldest ideas. Honestly, festive workspace makeovers are one of my favorite seasonal challenges — they bring out creativity, laughter, and sometimes even healthy competition. In this post, I’ll share 10 office Christmas decorating contest ideas I’ve tested and loved, so you can bring that magic into your own workplace.

1. Theme-Based Cubicle Transformation

Pick a quirky theme — "Christmas Under the Sea" or "Vintage Holiday Diner" — and let teams turn their cubicles into mini worlds. It’s budget-friendly if everyone brings props from home, though balancing cohesion between areas can be tricky. I once worked with a team who even planned their outfits to match the décor, and it made judging so much more fun. For planning complex layouts, I like to mock them digitally first, using a room planner to experiment without the mess.

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2. DIY Ornament Crafting Stations

Set up a small craft area where employees create ornaments to hang around the office. This gives a personal touch and doubles as a creative break. The challenge? Glitter gets everywhere—so maybe schedule a group cleanup session after.

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3. Desk Door Decorating Challenge

Think of each office door as a blank canvas. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and lights can turn entrances into holiday statements. Keep an eye on fire safety — LED lights are your best friend here.

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4. Recycled Holiday Décor

Using only recycled or upcycled materials forces teams to think differently. One year, I saw a snowman built entirely from paper coffee cups—and it was adorable and eco-friendly.

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5. Ugly Sweater Meet Photo Booth

Combine an ugly sweater day with a festive photo booth backdrop. This creates instant contest content for social media and makes memories, though you’ll need decent lighting to make it pop.

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6. Tree Decorating Relay

Arrange a competition where teams decorate a tree against the clock. It sounds chaotic, but that’s the charm. I usually sketch out optimal layouts beforehand in a free floor plan creator to make sure the space flows even with the frenzy.

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7. Miniature Christmas Village Day

Staff bring in or create buildings for a collaborative holiday village. Bonus points if lights and moving parts are included. It can become a beautiful annual tradition if stored properly.

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8. Holiday Aromas Corner

Decor isn’t just visual — set up an area with cinnamon sticks, pinecones, and scented candles (or diffusers). It’s amazing how scent can boost the festive mood, even if it’s subtly done.

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9. Window Display Extravaganza

If your office has visible windows, let each team take over one. Passersby get to enjoy the creativity, and it adds community spirit. Large window decals and fairy lights work wonders here.

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10. Interactive Advent Calendar

Create a giant wall advent calendar with daily surprises for the team. It’s low-maintenance once set up and builds anticipation all month long. For intricate planning, I often turn to a kitchen layout planner — yes, even for non-kitchen events — because the tools translate well to space coordination.

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FAQ

1. How do I make an office Christmas decorating contest fair?

Set clear judging criteria like creativity, use of theme, and teamwork. Use multiple judges or a team vote to balance bias.

2. What’s a budget-friendly Christmas decor idea for offices?

Leverage recycled materials or have a "bring from home" policy. It’s eco-friendly and cost-effective.

3. Can I combine holiday decorating with charity?

Yes! Ask teams to incorporate items for donation, like canned goods or toys, into their displays.

4. How far in advance should we plan?

At least 3–4 weeks ahead to secure materials and avoid last-minute stress.

5. How do we handle cleanup after the contest?

Assign teams their own breakdown duties or schedule a company-wide cleanup day with music and treats.

6. What’s the safest way to use lights in the office?

Use LED lights and battery packs when possible, and avoid overloading outlets. Refer to OSHA workplace safety guidelines.

7. How do I encourage participation from everyone?

Offer small prizes, and make categories that don’t just reward “the biggest” displays — celebrate uniqueness and effort.

8. Can decorating contests work for remote teams?

Absolutely — host a virtual show-and-tell or photo competition and vote online.