Christmas Door Decorating Contest: 18 Christian School Ideas

A door decorating contest is a joyful way to share the true meaning of Christmas at school. Students plan, build and pray together. The hallway turns into a bright story of hope, peace and joy.

In this post, you will find 18 easy door ideas for a Christmas door decorating contest at a Christian school. Most use paper, tape and simple craft supplies. There are also contest rules, a judging score sheet and safety tips. These ideas work for any grade, from kindergarten to high school.

Pick one idea, or mix a few. Let your students help choose.

Simple Rules for a Faith-Filled Contest

Clear rules keep the contest fair and kind. Share them with every class before you start.

• Set a start date and a judging date. Give classes 5 to 7 school days.
• Set a small budget, or ask classes to use supplies they already have.
• Give each class a Bible story or verse to inspire its door. You can also let classes pick.
• Students should do most of the work. Teachers can guide.
• Keep the focus on service, teamwork and joy, not just winning.
• Choose gentle prizes, such as a class pizza party, extra recess or a paper trophy.
• Give every class a small certificate so everyone feels proud.
• Check your school handbook for rules on door decor, fire safety and student photos.

Easy Judging Score Sheet

Use a score from 1 to 5 for each part. Add them up.

• Message: Does the door share a clear Christmas story or verse?
• Creativity: Is the idea fresh and original?
• Teamwork: Did many students help?
• Neatness: Is it tidy and well made?
• Safety: Does it follow school rules?
• Joy: Does it make people smile?

You can add a “students’ choice” vote with paper stickers. It makes everyone feel included.

Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand

• Butcher paper or bulletin board paper in blue, brown, white, gold and green
• Construction paper and cardstock
• Painter’s tape and masking tape
• Washable glue and glue sticks
• Safe scissors
• Markers, crayons and washable paint
• Cotton balls, burlap scraps and raffia or straw
• Battery LED string lights and battery LED tea lights
• Ribbon and string
• Cardboard boxes (free from the cafeteria or office)

18 Christmas Door Ideas for a Christian School

1. Paper Nativity Stable Door

You need: Brown and tan butcher paper, yellow paper, raffia or straw, markers, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark blue paper for the night sky.
2. Cut a big stable shape from brown paper. Tape it at the center.
3. Add a paper manger and straw made from yellow strips or raffia.
4. Let students draw Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus on cardstock. Cut them out and tape them inside the stable.

2. Star of Bethlehem Door

You need: Dark blue paper, gold or yellow paper, white paper, string, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark blue paper.
2. Cut one very large gold star. Tape it at the top.
3. Cut a long, soft beam of light from white paper. Tape it down from the star.
4. Add small paper stars made by each student.

3. Angel Choir Door

You need: White and gold paper, blue paper, paper plates, markers, tape.

1. Cover the door with light blue paper.
2. Make one angel for each student. Use a paper plate face, a cone of white paper for the robe and two wings.
3. Add gold paper halos.
4. Tape the angels in rows, as if they are singing.
5. Add a banner that says “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14).

4. Advent Wreath Door

You need: Green paper, purple, pink and white paper, yellow paper, tape.

1. Cover the door with white or cream paper.
2. Cut a large circle wreath from green paper. Add paper leaves.
3. Make four paper candles: three purple and one pink. Add a white candle in the middle.
4. Cut small paper flames. Add one for each week of Advent.
5. Label each candle with hope, peace, joy and love.

Use paper candles only. Never use real flames near decor.

5. Shepherds on the Hillside Door

You need: Dark blue paper, green and brown paper, cotton balls, black marker, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark blue paper.
2. Cut rolling green hills from green paper. Tape them at the bottom.
3. Make paper sheep from cotton balls and black paper faces.
4. Add paper shepherds with brown robes and a staff.
5. Cut a few stars and one bright angel at the top.

6. Three Wise Men and Camels Door

You need: Black or dark purple paper, gold paper, brown paper, markers, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark purple paper.
2. Cut camel and wise men silhouettes from black or brown paper. Tape them across the bottom in a line.
3. Cut a big gold star at the top.
4. Add three small gift boxes made from gold paper.

7. Stained Glass Window Door

You need: Black construction paper, tissue paper in many colors, glue, clear contact paper, tape.

1. Cut a big arched window shape from black paper to make a frame.
2. Cut the inside into many shapes. Use a star, a dove, a cross and a manger.
3. Glue colorful tissue paper behind the cutouts.
4. Tape it to the door, or the window of the door, so the light shines through.

8. Light of the World Door

You need: Black paper, yellow and gold paper, battery LED string lights, tape.

1. Cover the door with black paper.
2. Cut a big candle or lantern shape from gold paper.
3. Make paper rays that shine out from the center.
4. Tape on battery LED lights around the edges. Keep cords away from the door handle.
5. Add the words “The light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5).

9. Bethlehem Night Skyline Door

You need: Dark blue paper, brown and tan paper, yellow paper, white paper, tape.

1. Cover the door with dark blue paper.
2. Cut small flat-roofed houses from brown and tan paper. Tape them along the bottom.
3. Add tiny yellow paper squares for glowing windows.
4. Put one big star over the town.

10. Names of Jesus Ornament Door

You need: Colored paper circles, markers, ribbon, tape.

1. Cut big circles from red, green, gold and blue paper.
2. Let each student write one name of Jesus on a circle. Try “Prince of Peace,” “Emmanuel” or “Good Shepherd.”
3. Add stripes and stars around the words.
4. Hang the ornaments from strings in different lengths.

11. Christmas Bible Verse Banner Door

You need: White paper or cardstock, colored markers, string, hole punch.

1. Cut paper into triangles or rectangles.
2. Let each student write a short Christmas verse or one word on a flag. Use words like “Joy,” “Peace,” “Hope” or “Love.”
3. Punch holes in the flags and string them together.
4. Hang the banner across the door in a gentle curve.

12. Gifts of Kindness Door

You need: Colored paper, ribbon scraps, markers, tape.

1. Cut paper boxes in many sizes.
2. Wrap each box with a paper ribbon.
3. Let each student write one kind act they will do this season, such as “help a friend” or “pray for a neighbor.”
4. Tape the gifts on the door, stacked like a big pile of presents.

13. Joy to the World Bells Door

You need: Gold and silver paper, red ribbon, paper cups, string, tape.

1. Make bells from paper cups painted gold or from cut paper.
2. Add a small paper clapper to each bell.
3. Tie red ribbon bows at the top.
4. Hang the bells on strings from the top of the door.

14. Carolers Door

You need: Colored paper, felt or fabric scraps, markers, tape.

1. Cover the door with white paper snow and a blue sky.
2. Make a paper caroler for each student. Use an oval face and a tube of colored paper for the coat.
3. Add scarves from paper strips or fabric.
4. Give each caroler a small paper song book.
5. Place the group in front of a paper lamp post.

15. Peace Dove and Olive Branch Door

You need: White paper, green paper, light blue paper, glue.

1. Cover the door with light blue paper.
2. Cut a big white dove. Have each student add one feather cut from white paper.
3. Cut a green olive branch with many leaves.
4. Place the dove at the center, with the branch in its beak.

16. Advent Countdown Door

You need: Purple and white paper, small envelopes, markers, tape.

1. Make 24 small paper stars or boxes on the door.
2. Number each one from 1 to 24.
3. Tuck a short verse or kind task behind each one.
4. Let one student open a star each school day.

17. Jesse Tree Door

You need: Brown and green paper, small paper ornaments, markers, tape.

1. Cut a large tree from brown paper. Tape it to the door.
2. Add green leaves made by each student.
3. Make small paper symbols for Bible stories. Try an apple, an ark, a rainbow, a harp and a star.
4. Hang the symbols on the tree. This tells the story leading to Christmas.

18. Manger Full of Love Door

You need: Brown paper, yellow paper strips, red paper hearts, markers, tape.

1. Cut a big wooden manger shape from brown paper.
2. Tape it at the bottom center of the door.
3. Have each student write a short prayer or kind word on a paper heart.
4. Fill the manger with the hearts and yellow paper straw.
5. Add a soft gold glow around it.

Tips for Easy Classroom Door Styling

• Pick one clear Bible story or verse before you start.
• Choose two or three main colors. Blue and gold are classic for Christmas.
• Use big shapes. They look better from the hallway.
• Add texture with cotton, straw, burlap and crinkled paper.
• Use painter’s tape to protect paint and doors.
• Take a photo of your door before you take it down.
• Plan a spot for a class photo in front of the door.
• Let every student add one piece, so the door feels shared.

Age Guidance

• Ages 4 to 6: Tearing paper, painting, sticking cotton balls, handprints and simple stars.
• Ages 7 to 10: Cutting simple shapes, drawing figures, writing verses and kind words.
• Ages 11 and up: Planning the design, drawing scenes, cutting large shapes and hanging the door with help.

Always supervise young children during craft time.

Safety Notes

• Follow your school fire rules. Do not cover more of the door than your school allows. Keep exit signs, handles, fire alarms and windows clear.
• The door must open and close freely.
• Use battery LED lights and candles only. Never use real flames.
• Keep string lights and cords away from walkways and students.
• An adult should handle hot glue guns, craft knives, spray paint and ladders.
• Use non-toxic, washable paint and glue.
• Keep small items such as buttons and pom-poms away from young children.
• Check for latex and glitter allergies. Skip balloons if your school bans them.
• Check your school photo policy before you use student photos.

Plan Ahead and Make-Ahead Guide

• 3 weeks before: Share the rules, theme and score sheet.
• 2 weeks before: Let each class pick a Bible story or verse.
• 10 days before: Gather supplies and ask families for donations.
• 1 week before: Cut big shapes and prepare kits for each table.
• 3 to 5 days before: Let students make their pieces.
• 1 to 2 days before: Put the door together and hang it.
• Judging day: Walk the halls with the score sheet.
• After the contest: Store paper pieces in a flat box to reuse next year.

FAQ

How long should a door decorating contest last?
Five to seven school days is a good time for most classes.

How do I keep the contest fair?
Share clear rules and a score sheet. Set a small budget. Ask students to do most of the work.

What are good prizes for a Christian school contest?
Try a class party, extra recess, a paper trophy or a small certificate for every class.

Can I use real lights on a classroom door?
Use battery LED lights only. Follow your school fire rules.

What Bible verses work well for Christmas doors?
Short verses from Luke 2 and John 1 are popular. Pick a verse that students can read from a distance.

How can I include every student?
Give every student a small job, such as one star, one angel, one heart or one verse flag.

Final Thoughts

A Christmas door decorating contest at a Christian school can turn a hallway into a story of hope. Pick one simple idea, let your students lead and follow the safety rules. Keep it kind and joyful, and every door will shine.