Christmas Door Decorating Contest Ideas: 17 Easy DIY Doors

A Christmas door contest is a fun way to bring a class, office, or building together. The best doors are simple, bold, and easy to see from far away. You do not need to be an artist to win.

Here are 17 Christmas door decorating contest ideas that use paper, paint, and a few simple supplies.

1. Giant Gingerbread House Door

You need: Brown paper, white paint or paper, red and green craft paper, cotton balls.

Cover the door in brown paper to look like gingerbread. Add white icing lines, round gumdrop circles, and a red door. Use cotton balls for snow on the roof edge.

2. Santa’s Workshop Door

You need: Red and green paper, brown paper, craft paper toys, a clock cutout.

Make the door look like a workshop with shelves of paper toys, a clock, and a tool wall. Add a sign above the door. Use a few elves peeking out.

3. Hot Cocoa Mug Door

You need: Brown paper, white paper, cotton balls, red ribbon.

Cover the door with a giant mug shape. Fill the top with cotton ball marshmallows. Add a candy cane handle and a swirl of paper whipped cream.

4. Light-Up Christmas Tree Door

You need: Green paper, string lights, paper ornaments, a star.

Cut a big tree from green paper. Tape on paper ornaments and run battery string lights around it. Place a gold star at the top.

5. Giant Present Door

You need: Wrapping paper or colored paper, wide ribbon.

Cover the whole door like a gift box. Add wide ribbon down the middle and across. Finish with a big bow on top. Add a gift tag with the class or team name.

6. Sweet Treats Candy Shop Door

You need: Pink, white, and red paper, paper lollipops, striped paper.

Decorate with giant paper lollipops, candy canes, and peppermints. Use striped paper for the door frame. Add a sign that says Candy Shop.

7. North Pole Train Station Door

You need: Black and gray paper, white paper snow, a paper clock.

Make a train platform with a clock, a station sign, and a train cutout. Add snow at the bottom with cotton or white paper.

8. Cotton Ball Snowman Door

You need: White paper, cotton balls, orange paper, black paper.

Cut big circles for the snowman body. Glue on cotton balls for a fluffy look. Add a hat, scarf, and carrot nose.

9. Reindeer Door

You need: Brown paper, red pom pom, antlers from craft paper or sticks.

Cover the door in brown paper. Add two big eyes and a big red pom pom nose. Attach antlers on top of the door frame.

10. Giant Christmas Card Door

You need: White or red paper, a border, a message.

Make the door a card with a border and a message in the middle. Add a 3D bow or wreath. Add the names of your team as signatures.

11. Winter Wonderland Door

You need: Blue and white paper, snowflakes, silver glitter paper.

Cover the door in dark blue paper. Hang paper snowflakes of different sizes with string. Add a snowy ground with white paper.

12. Fireplace and Stockings Door

You need: Brick pattern paper, black paper, stockings made from felt.

Make the door look like a fireplace with brick paper. Add a glowing fire with orange and yellow paper. Hang stockings with names on top.

13. Ugly Sweater Door

You need: Colored paper, yarn, buttons, felt.

Cover the door like a big knitted sweater. Add silly patterns like reindeer, trees, and snowflakes. Use yarn for stitches and buttons for decor.

14. Santa’s Chimney Door

You need: Brick paper, black paper, paper boots, white paper.

Cover the door with brick paper and a snowy roof. Put a pair of Santa legs with boots sticking out of the chimney at the top.

15. Christmas Lights Door

You need: Black paper, big paper bulbs, string lights.

Cover the door with black paper. Cut out big colorful bulbs and hang them along a wire. Add real battery lights behind them for a glow.

16. Countdown Pocket Door

You need: Paper pockets or envelopes, numbers, small notes.

Make 25 small pockets on the door. Put a note, joke, or kind message in each. People can take one every day.

17. Penguin Party Door

You need: Blue paper, black and white paper, orange paper, scarves.

Make a snowy scene with lots of paper penguins in scarves and hats. Add icebergs and a winter sky. Each person on the team can make one penguin.

Christmas Door Decorating Ideas for Contest: Tips to Win

• Pick one clear theme. A door with one strong idea beats a door with many.
• Add 3D parts like bows, paper rolls, or pom poms so the door pops.
• Use bold colors. Contrast helps the door stand out in a hallway.
• Add lights. A little glow wins attention at night.
• Use a message or a pun that fits the theme.
• Make sure the door can still open and close.

Christmas Door Decorating Ideas Contest: What Judges Look For

• Creativity: A fresh idea or a fun twist.
• Theme: The door clearly shows the theme.
• Neatness: Straight lines and tidy cuts.
• Effort and teamwork: Many people helped.
• Use of materials: Smart use of simple items.

Safety Rules for Door Decorating

• Check your school or office rules first.
• Do not cover door handles, windows, exit signs, or fire alarm pulls.
• Do not block hallway exits or fire doors.
• Use fire safe paper if your building asks for it.
• Use painter’s tape, so the paint is not damaged.
• Use battery lights, not plug-in lights with long cords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I need?
Most doors take 2 to 4 hours with a small team. Plan the design a day before.

What materials are cheapest?
Colored paper, butcher paper, and cotton balls. They cost very little.

How do I attach paper to the door?
Use painter’s tape or removable adhesive. Do not use nails.

When should I start?
Start early in December, so you can finish before judging.

Final Thoughts

A great Christmas door is fun to make and fun to see. Pick one idea, gather your team, and start. Save this post and pin your favorite door ideas so you can find them later.