Office Door Decorating Contest Ideas for Christmas: Get Creative with These Fun and Festive Door Decorating Ideas for the Holidays

One year, our HR team decided to host a Christmas door decorating contest, and I’ll admit—I went a little overboard. There was glitter everywhere, our meeting room smelled like hot glue for days, and my desk looked like a craft store exploded. But here’s the thing: small spaces like an office door can spark the biggest creativity. In this post, I’ll share five of my go-to ideas for making your office door the talk of the Christmas party, based on both my professional design eye and a few “learning experiences.” Oh, and if you’re trying to visualize your idea before you grab the scissors, tools like room planner can be surprisingly helpful even for door projects.

1. Winter Wonderland Escape

Transform your door into a snowy scene with cotton batting for snow, white paper cutouts for trees, and a sprinkle of glitter for that frosty sparkle. I once did this for a reception area, and it made people stop for photos. The challenge? Cotton can get messy—so have a handheld vacuum ready.

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2. Giant Gift Wrap

Wrap your entire door like a present, complete with oversized ribbon and a big bow. This idea is low-cost, quick, and impactful. For variety, you can customize the “gift tag” with your team name or a holiday greeting. I’ve used this in offices where we needed something bold but budget-friendly, planning it out with a free floor plan creator to match nearby décor colors.

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3. Santa’s Workshop

Cover the door in red paper, add a “toy shop” sign, and pin on photos of the team as busy elves. It’s interactive, funny, and just kitschy enough to make executives laugh when they walk by. Just make sure you ask permission before editing your manager’s face onto an elf… trust me, I speak from experience.

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4. Fireplace & Stockings

Create a cozy fireplace scene using brick-patterned paper and hang miniature stockings labeled with each team member’s name. This one is always a crowd-pleaser because it feels homey and warm. I like to prototype the layout using a kitchen layout planner before buying all the materials—it’s overkill, but it helps me size things perfectly.

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5. Christmas Countdown Calendar

Turn your door into a giant advent calendar, with each date hiding a mini treat or fun task for the office. It keeps the holiday spirit alive all month long. Just be warned—once the treats run low, people will hover around like hungry reindeer.

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FAQ

1. How do you judge an office Christmas door contest?

Most contests use criteria like creativity, originality, and use of materials. Sometimes audience voting adds a fun twist.

2. How can I decorate on a budget?

Reuse wrapping paper scraps, print free templates, and borrow props instead of buying everything new.

3. What materials are safe for office doors?

Use lightweight paper, fabric, or removable tapes to avoid damage. Avoid heavy items that could fall.

4. Can we add lights to the decoration?

Yes, but opt for battery-powered LED lights for safety, and make sure they don’t block access or create hazards.

5. How far in advance should we start?

Ideally, start planning 2–3 weeks ahead, especially if you’re coordinating with a team or ordering custom items.

6. Do we need permission to decorate doors?

Check company policy first, particularly about adhesives and electrical items—it’s not fun to undo a masterpiece due to rules.

7. Should the design match the whole office theme?

It depends—sometimes matching creates a cohesive look, but a standout entry can win votes too.

8. Where can I find inspiration for designs?

Browsing Pinterest, Instagram, or professional design sites can give you a starting point. Even real-world storefront displays can spark ideas.