20 Office Christmas Decorations Ideas
The holidays are the one time of year when your office doesn’t have to feel like, well, just an office. The right decorations can turn dull cubicles, meeting rooms, and even the breakroom into a space that sparks joy and makes people actually want to be there.
I’ve worked in a few offices where the only sign of Christmas was a sad strand of tinsel taped to a wall, and trust me—that doesn’t inspire holiday cheer.
1. A Statement Christmas Tree in the Lobby
If your office has a lobby or entrance, the first thing people should see is a Christmas tree that makes jaws drop. Whether you go with a tall, traditional green fir or a more modern minimalist style (like white branches with silver ornaments), the tree sets the tone for the entire office.
Here’s the secret: keep the tree cohesive. Choose 2–3 main colors for ornaments so it doesn’t look chaotic. For example, gold and red always feel festive, while blue and silver give a winter wonderland vibe.
Pro tip from experience: don’t skimp on lights. I once worked in an office where the tree had maybe 20 sad lights, and instead of festive, it looked like it was in permanent power-saving mode.
2. Desk-Sized Mini Trees
Not everyone gets to enjoy the lobby tree all day. So, add mini trees for each desk or cubicle. They’re inexpensive, fun to decorate, and can give everyone a sense of personal holiday space.
You can even host a “mini tree contest” where employees decorate their tiny trees with quirky themes. I once saw someone use only office supplies—paperclip garlands, sticky note ornaments, and a stapler topper. It was ridiculous but unforgettable.
3. Holiday Door Decorating Contest
Office doors (or cubicle walls) are blank canvases just waiting for creativity. Turn it into a competition where each department or individual gets to decorate their door like a Christmas card.
Ideas include:
- Wrapping the door like a giant present.
- Turning it into a fireplace scene.
- Adding a Santa face where the doorknob is his nose.
Not only does it spark creativity, but it also encourages team bonding—and you’ll be amazed at how much pride people take in their designs.
4. Festive Lighting Strings
Nothing beats the warm glow of string lights draped across cubicles, around whiteboards, or along the ceiling. They’re inexpensive but create instant holiday ambiance.
Here’s a secret: opt for warm white lights over multicolored if you want classy, or go all-in with rainbow colors for a playful vibe. Either way, lights make even the gloomiest Monday morning emails feel a little less painful.
5. Christmas Wreaths Everywhere
Wreaths aren’t just for doors. You can hang them in conference rooms, along hallways, or above desks. A matching set of wreaths can make your office look polished and intentional.
If you want a creative twist, try wreaths made of office supplies (binder clip wreaths are surprisingly cool) or even candy canes. They’re a reminder that decorations don’t always have to be store-bought.
6. Winter Wonderland Hallways
Transform long office hallways into snowy wonderlands with fake snow, hanging snowflakes, and frosted window clings.
The best trick? Use fishing line to hang paper snowflakes from the ceiling so they look like they’re floating in midair. It’s like walking through a snow globe on your way to a meeting.
7. Themed Cubicles
Encourage teams to pick a theme for their cubicle row. Maybe one row is the North Pole, another is Santa’s workshop, and another is a gingerbread village.
This kind of group effort not only looks amazing but also creates a sense of community. Plus, it gives people an excuse to collaborate outside of work talk.
8. Christmas Garlands
Drape garlands across stair railings, windowsills, or around desks. A green garland with fairy lights and ribbon can look elegant, while a quirky candy garland (like stringing popcorn or candy canes) feels playful.
When I worked in an office with a spiral staircase, the garland wrapped around the railing made it look like something straight out of a Hallmark movie.
9. Holiday Photo Booth Corner
Set up a festive photo booth with props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and a snowy backdrop. Not only does it add decoration, but it also encourages coworkers to take goofy photos together.
This is a brilliant idea if you’re planning a holiday party too. People love keepsakes, and a decorated photo corner becomes part of the memory.
10. Ornament Displays
You don’t always need a tree to showcase ornaments. Fill glass vases or bowls with colorful baubles and place them around the office.
One of my favorite tricks: hang ornaments from the ceiling using invisible string at different lengths. It looks magical, like they’re floating in air.
11. Christmas Scent Stations
Okay, not technically a “decoration,” but scent is part of the atmosphere. Add subtle holiday scents with cinnamon sticks, pine cones, or electric diffusers.
Studies show that scent can boost mood and productivity by up to 40%. A little whiff of cinnamon or pine can instantly feel like Christmas, even when you’re stuck answering end-of-year emails.
12. Holiday Bulletin Board
Turn the office bulletin board into a holiday message station. Employees can pin Christmas cards, notes of gratitude, or even gift ideas.
It’s a simple but meaningful way to make people feel included. Plus, it looks way better than the usual wall of memos and spreadsheets.
13. Gingerbread House Contest
Bring in gingerbread kits and have teams decorate houses during lunch breaks. Afterwards, display them around the office.
This doubles as both decor and activity, and it’s guaranteed to get laughs (especially when houses collapse, which they often do).
14. Ceiling Hanging Decorations
Most people forget about ceilings, but they’re a blank canvas. Hang stars, snowflakes, or baubles from ceiling tiles with string.
It’s an easy way to make the whole office look festive without taking up desk space. Walking under dangling snowflakes feels like stepping into a Christmas dream.
15. Window Clings and Paint
Glass windows and conference room walls are perfect spots for snowflake clings or washable window paint.
This works especially well in open-plan offices with lots of glass dividers. A frosted snowflake here and there can change the whole feel of the room.
16. Cozy Breakroom Setup
Turn the breakroom into a holiday lounge with plaid tablecloths, mugs for hot cocoa, and a small decorated tree.
Trust me, when employees grab coffee and find a cozy, festive spot, it changes their whole workday. I once saw a breakroom transformed with just $50 worth of decorations—it became the most popular “meeting room” in the office.
17. Ugly Sweater Display
Encourage employees to bring in their best (or worst) ugly Christmas sweaters and hang them along a wall like an art gallery.
It’s hilarious, colorful, and guaranteed to get conversations going. Plus, it’s a decoration that doesn’t cost the company anything.
18. Santa’s Mailbox
Set up a festive mailbox where employees can “send” holiday wishes, jokes, or thank-you notes to coworkers.
This adds interaction to the decorations, making people feel connected. And at the end of the season, you can open them up for a group laugh (or a few heartfelt moments).
19. Holiday Table Centerpieces
If your office has long meeting tables, add festive centerpieces with candles (LED for safety), poinsettias, or small figurines.
It turns even a boring strategy session into something that feels a little more special.
20. Countdown Calendar
Place a giant advent calendar in a central office spot. Each day, open a door with a small treat, note, or prize inside.
It builds excitement daily and makes everyone look forward to checking in. I once worked somewhere that had tiny chocolates inside, and let’s just say people were a lot more eager to arrive early in December.
Conclusion on 20 Office Christmas Decorations Ideas
When it comes to office Christmas decorations, the trick isn’t just making the space look festive—it’s about creating an atmosphere that makes people smile, connect, and maybe even forget the stress of looming deadlines. From the classic lobby tree to quirky touches like a Santa’s mailbox or ugly sweater display, every idea on this list has the power to turn a bland workspace into a hub of holiday cheer.
