10 Office Door Christmas Decorating Contest Ideas: Festive & Creative Inspiration from a Designer’s PerspectiveMarina YuSep 24, 2025Table of Contents1. Winter Wonderland Scene2. Giant Gift Wrap3. Elf Workshop4. Classic Christmas Fireplace5. North Pole Post Office6. Interactive Advent Calendar7. Ugly Sweater Theme8. Santa Surveillance Cam9. Gingerbread House10. Team Selfie Snow GlobeFAQFree Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREELast year, I nearly got myself banned from our office Christmas door contest. I had this great idea — a full 3D Santa’s workshop scene with moving parts. Sounds amazing, right? Except I misjudged the door size and people could barely get in without brushing against an elf’s head. Lesson learned: always measure before you go wild!Small spaces (yes, even the width of a standard office door) can push creativity to the next level. This year, I’m sharing 10 tried-and-true ideas I’ve seen win actual contests — combining my interior design instincts with a dash of holiday cheer.1. Winter Wonderland SceneLayer fake snow, silver garland, and a snowy mountain backdrop for depth. I like to mix textures so the scene feels rich, not flat. Just leave enough clearance so people don’t brush off the snow every time they pass.save pin2. Giant Gift WrapCover the whole door in wrapping paper and add a huge bow. It’s cost-effective and instantly festive. Use double-sided tape to avoid damaging the paint — I learned that the hard way in one project similar to a room planner mockup.save pin3. Elf WorkshopCreate a playful factory scene with little elf cutouts, candy cane borders, and tiny “toys in progress.” Cookies and ornaments glued to foam board can add texture, but keep them light so the tape holds.save pin4. Classic Christmas FireplaceDraw or print a brick fireplace, hang stockings with each team member’s name, and add a faux flickering light for the fire. It’s warm, welcoming, and perfect for an office with more traditional tastes.save pin5. North Pole Post OfficeMake the door look like a giant letter to Santa. Include a cutout “mail slot” and stick holiday cards from everyone. Similar to how I layer zones in a free floor plan creator, give each element its own space so it reads clearly from a distance.save pin6. Interactive Advent CalendarTurn the door into a giant calendar with doors or flaps that reveal a small treat each day. The challenge here is durability — people will be opening it daily, so use sturdy hinges or velcro.save pin7. Ugly Sweater ThemeCover your door in knitted patterns or fabric scraps to mimic a giant ugly Christmas sweater. This is fun, tactile, and guaranteed to get laughs.save pin8. Santa Surveillance CamPlay on the “Santa is watching” idea by making the door look like a huge security monitor screen. Add silly photos of your colleagues “caught” being naughty or nice. The humor tends to win over the judges.save pin9. Gingerbread HouseBrown craft paper as the base, with candy-shaped cutouts, peppermint swirls, and a fake frosting trim. Foam works wonders here — I once used a kitchen layout planner to scale candy decor proportions before cutting.save pin10. Team Selfie Snow GlobeHuge snow globe frame around the door, with a group photo inside and glitter that moves when the door opens or closes. It’s whimsical and makes everyone part of the decoration.save pinFAQ1. How can I make my office door decoration stand out in a contest?Focus on a clear theme, bold colors, and 3D elements that catch the eye from across the room.2. Are there budget-friendly door decoration ideas?Yes — wrapping paper, paper cutouts, and recycled materials can go a long way without overspending.3. How do I attach decorations without damaging the door?Use painter’s tape, command hooks, or removable adhesive strips for easy clean-up.4. Can I include lights in my office door design?Yes, but choose battery-operated LED lights to avoid cords and meet safety guidelines.5. How much time should I plan for decorating?A simple wrap can take under an hour, while complex 3D scenes may need a few evenings of work.6. What safety factors should I consider?Ensure decorations don’t block visibility, handles, or create tripping hazards, per OSHA safety tips for offices.7. Should I decorate solo or involve my team?Team efforts often bring more ideas, better execution, and a fun bonding experience.8. How do judges usually score these contests?Common criteria include creativity, theme cohesion, craftsmanship, and sometimes audience reaction.Start for FREEPlease check with customer service before testing new feature.Free Room PlannerDesign your dream room online for free with the powerful room designer toolStart for FREE