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The short answer: the office doors that win a Christmas door decorating contest have one big idea you can read from the end of the hallway, something 3D that sticks out, and the whole team on it. A giant present, a gingerbread house or a good work pun like Sleigh All Day are all easy wins.
Here are 25 office Christmas door decorating contest ideas, from classic doors that win on looks to funny work puns, one-hour doors and 3D doors. Each one has a quick tip, and the supplies list at the end covers everything you need without marking the door.
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Our Christmas Door Kit was made for classrooms, but the editable name pieces work just as well for a team at work. You get a cozy gingerbread door for December, a snowy door for January, A to Z banner letters and name pieces you type before printing. It is an instant download from our Etsy shop.
Classic Christmas doors that win on looks
These are the doors judges walk past and stop at. They take a bit more paper, but they read clearly from the end of the hallway, which is what wins votes.
1. Wrap the door like a giant present
SaveThe easiest classic win. Cover the door in one color of wrapping paper, run two wide ribbon strips across it and finish with an oversized bow at the top. It looks great in photos and takes about an hour.
Tip: Use painter’s tape on the back of the paper so nothing marks the door when it comes down. See the large red velvet bows on Amazon.
2. Turn the door into a gingerbread house
SaveBrown kraft paper makes the gingerbread, white paper scallops make the icing roof, and paper candies and gumdrops fill the gaps. Add a paper window with a warm glow and everyone wants a photo with it.
Tip: A big roll of kraft paper covers the door in two or three strips with no visible joins. See the large brown kraft paper roll on Amazon.
3. Build a cozy fireplace door
SaveRed brick paper on the bottom half, a paper mantel, a crackling paper fire and a row of stockings with each teammate’s name. It feels warm and it gives the whole team a part in it.
Tip: Battery fairy lights tucked behind the paper flames make the fire glow in the hallway.
4. Make the door a snow globe
SaveCut a huge circle of light blue paper, add a little paper town or a tree inside, then cover it with clear cellophane so it shines like glass. A black paper base at the bottom finishes the globe.
Tip: Cotton batting along the bottom of the circle looks just like settled snow.
5. Dress the door as a nutcracker
SaveA red paper jacket with gold buttons, white belt, tall black hat and a big friendly face. Nutcracker doors look smart and traditional, so they suit a professional office.
Tip: Gold foil cardstock makes the buttons and trim pop under office lights.
6. Go big with candy cane stripes
SaveWide red and white diagonal stripes, a scalloped border and a huge peppermint at the center. It is simple, bright and easy to spot from far away.
Tip: Cut the stripes all the same width with a ruler and the door looks professionally done.
7. Layer a door of paper wreaths
SaveCover the door in dark green, then add rows of small paper plate wreaths, each one decorated by a different teammate. Hang a full size wreath in the middle as the centerpiece.
Tip: Ask everyone to make one wreath at their desk so the whole team is on the door.
Funny Christmas door ideas for work
If your office votes for the door that makes them laugh, a good pun beats a perfect paper craft. Keep it kind and about the team so everyone is in on the joke.
8. Sleigh all day
SaveA paper sleigh full of wrapped files, sticky notes and coffee cups, pulled by paper reindeer. It is the classic work pun and it always gets a smile.
Tip: Make the reindeer from brown paper bags and pipe cleaner antlers for a 3D touch.
9. The nice list (approved by HR)
SaveA giant scroll with every teammate’s name on it, a big gold seal and a paper elf with a clipboard checking it twice. Funny, friendly and it puts the whole team on the door.
Tip: Print names in a curly font so the list looks like it came from the North Pole.
10. Out of office: gone to the North Pole
SaveAn auto-reply on the door, a paper suitcase, a snowy signpost and a paper airplane heading north. Perfect for the team that cannot wait for the holidays.
Tip: A little paper North Pole signpost with arrows adds a fun 3D detail.
11. Our team is lit
SaveA big string of paper Christmas lights across the door, one bulb for each person on the team with their name on it. Add real fairy lights around the frame to make it glow.
Tip: Battery lights with a timer switch on every morning without anyone remembering. See the battery fairy lights with a timer on Amazon.
12. Fueled by coffee and Christmas cheer
SaveA giant paper coffee mug with a cotton whipped cream top, paper steam swirls and a candy cane stirrer. Every office has a coffee lover, so this one wins the hallway vote.
Tip: Cotton balls make a fluffy whipped cream top that sticks out from the door.
13. Meet the reindeer team
SaveEvery teammate becomes a paper reindeer with their name on the collar, lined up like Santa’s team. The manager gets the red nose, which always gets a laugh.
Tip: Use the same reindeer template for everyone and let each person add their own scarf or hat.
14. Santa’s workshop, now hiring
SaveTurn the door into a workshop with paper shelves of toys, a help wanted sign and a little elf time clock. It is a fun nod to busy December at work.
Tip: Small wrapped boxes stuck to paper shelves make it look 3D without much effort.
Easy office doors you can build in an hour
No time for a full build? These doors go up in a lunch break and still look polished.
15. Ribbon and bow door
SaveSkip the paper and wrap the closed door with two wide ribbons, then add one big bow. It takes ten minutes and looks smart.
Tip: Wired ribbon holds the shape of the bow much better than satin. See the red velvet wired ribbon on Amazon.
16. Paper chain countdown
SaveHang long red and green paper chains from the top of the door, one link for each day left until the break. The team tears one off every day.
Tip: Let the team write a holiday wish on each link before it goes up.
17. Fairy light Christmas tree
SaveUse clear removable clips to shape a string of fairy lights into a tree on the door, then add a paper star on top. It glows after dark and leaves no marks.
Tip: Clear light clips hold the shape and peel off cleanly in January. See the clear removable light clips on Amazon.
18. Tinsel wreath and garland
SaveA tinsel garland around the frame and a wreath on the door is the fastest festive look there is. Pick one metallic color to keep it classy.
Tip: One color of tinsel looks far more expensive than mixed colors. See the silver tinsel garland on Amazon.
19. Snowflake door
SaveCover the door in blue paper and fill it with cut paper snowflakes in different sizes. It stays up through January, so it works if your contest runs late.
Tip: Fold the snowflakes from printer paper during a team meeting for an easy group build.
20. Stocking line with team names
SaveA paper garland across the door with a stocking for every person on the team. Simple, friendly and great for a small office.
Tip: Felt stockings from the dollar store look softer than paper ones and can be reused next year.
3D office doors that stand out in the hallway
Judges love depth. Anything that sticks out from the door catches the eye from further down the hallway.
21. Hot cocoa bar door
SaveA giant paper mug with real cotton marshmallows, a paper candy cane and a little shelf of paper cocoa mix jars. It looks good enough to drink.
Tip: Stick the marshmallows on with glue dots so they stay puffy.
22. Real ornament door
SaveHang shatterproof ornaments in mixed sizes from ribbon at different heights so they swing out from the door. Add a paper tree outline behind them and it looks like a store window.
Tip: Shatterproof ornaments are safe in a busy hallway and light enough for removable hooks. See the shatterproof velvet ball ornaments on Amazon.
23. A window to the North Pole
SaveFrame the door like a window with paper curtains, then fill it with a snowy night scene with a paper moon and stars. The curtains stick out, so it feels like you can look through.
Tip: Fabric scraps make the curtains look extra real.
24. Snowy log cabin door
SavePaper towel tubes painted brown make the logs, cotton makes snow on the roof, and a paper wreath hangs on the front. It is a cozy, crafty door that wins on effort.
Tip: Collect paper towel tubes from the team for a couple of weeks before you start.
25. Stack of presents door
SaveSmall boxes wrapped in matching paper stack up the door into a tower of gifts. It is fully 3D and looks amazing in photos.
Tip: Empty tissue boxes and shipping boxes from the mailroom are perfect for this.
What to buy for an office door contest
Everything here comes off the door cleanly in January, which keeps facilities happy.
- Large brown kraft paper roll: covers a whole door in two or three strips and works for gingerbread, cabins and presents.
- Reversible Christmas wrapping paper: two looks in one roll for present doors.
- 4 inch cutout letters: for door titles and puns that read from down the hallway.
- Battery fairy lights with a timer: no cords across the hallway and they switch on by themselves.
- Clear removable light clips: hold lights and garland without marking the door.
- Removable poster putty: for paper pieces on doors that cannot take tape.
- Painter’s tape: peels off cleanly in January.
How to win an office door decorating contest
- Check the rules first: Many offices have fire rules about doors: no paper over the door window, nothing that stops the door closing and battery lights only. Ask facilities before you buy anything.
- Pick one big idea: The doors that win have one clear idea you can read in two seconds from the end of the hallway. Big shapes and bold letters beat lots of small details.
- Add something 3D: Anything that sticks out, such as a bow, cotton snow, ornaments or boxes, makes the door stand out from flat paper doors.
- Get the whole team on it: Names, faces made of paper or one item from each person turn the door into a team project, and that wins votes.
- Plan the take down: Use painter’s tape, putty and removable clips so the door is clean in January and nobody has to scrape tape off.
Keep reading
- 52 Christmas door decorating contest ideas that win
- Front door Christmas decorations that look expensive
- Christmas gifts for coworkers they will actually use
- 19 Christmas classroom door ideas that win the door contest
- Winter door decorations that last until February
Frequently asked questions
Pick one big idea that reads from across the hallway, add something 3D like bows, ornaments or cotton snow, and get the whole team involved. Judges remember doors they can understand in two seconds.
Puns about work always get a laugh: Sleigh All Day, Our Team Is Lit, the nice list approved by HR, Out of Office at the North Pole, and a giant coffee mug fueled by Christmas cheer.
Use painter’s tape, removable poster putty and clear removable clips instead of regular tape or nails. Battery fairy lights keep cords out of the hallway.
A ribbon, tinsel or paper chain door takes under an hour. A full theme like a gingerbread house or fireplace usually takes two or three hours with a few people helping.
Good luck with the contest, and may your door get the most votes in the building.