20 Christmas Door Decorating Contest Ideas for Home

A Christmas door decorating contest at home is a fun way to get the whole family or street involved. Kids draw, parents build and neighbors walk by and smile. Even one decorated door can make the house feel like the holidays.

You do not need to be an artist. You need one clear idea, a few simple supplies and some time. This guide gives you 20 easy ideas for front doors, bedroom doors and indoor doors. Each idea has a short supply list and simple steps. Most are made from paper, ribbon, fabric and greenery.

Ask First: Know the Rules

Before you start, check these things:

Renting? Ask your landlord if you can use tape, hooks or adhesive strips on the door.
Live in an HOA or apartment building? Ask if there are rules for hallway or porch decor.
Is it a family contest? Pick one judge, a few judges or a family vote.
Is it a neighborhood contest? Agree on the same rules and dates for everyone.
Does the door open into a hallway or onto a porch? Keep decor flat so the door still opens safely.
Will decor stay outside? Check the weather first.

Front Door or Indoor Door?

A front door faces rain, wind, sun and cold. An indoor door is easier to work on.

Front door tips:

Use outdoor-safe materials, like faux greenery, wood, metal and weatherproof ribbon.
Paper gets soggy in rain. Cover it with clear contact paper or put it under a covered porch.
Use outdoor tape or strong removable hooks made for outdoor use.
Check the forecast. Take paper decor down if heavy rain or wind is coming.
Keep the peephole, lock, doorbell and house number clear.

Indoor door tips:

Paper, felt and cardstock work well.
Use painter’s tape or removable adhesive strips.
Bedroom doors, closet doors and pantry doors are great for kids.

Who Can Make These?

Ages 3 to 5: Tear paper, use stickers and add cotton or paper shapes with an adult helping. Skip tiny pieces.
Ages 6 to 9: Trace, cut with safe scissors, glue and paint.
Ages 10 and up: Plan the design, cut bigger shapes and help build.
Adults only: Hot glue guns, craft knives, ladders and anything electric or outdoor.

Fun Color Palettes

Classic Home: red, green and warm white.
Cozy Cabin: forest green, brown and cream.
Snowy Porch: white, silver and pale blue.
Berry Bright: cranberry, blush and gold.
Soft Farmhouse: oatmeal, sage and black.

Pick two or three main colors. Use one more only for small details.

Best Materials for a Home Door

Cardstock, kraft paper and felt
Faux greenery, ribbon and burlap
Yarn, twine and fabric scraps
Wooden slices, craft sticks and small logs
Clear contact paper (for outdoor paper decor)
Painter’s tape and removable adhesive strips
Battery LED lights, outdoor-rated if used outside

20 Christmas Door Ideas for Home

1. Plaid and Pine Welcome

You need: wide plaid ribbon, faux pine garland, a faux wreath, wire, command hooks, a small bell.

Hang the wreath in the center with a strong removable hook.
Wrap the ribbon in a big bow and attach it to the wreath.
Drape the pine garland around the door frame, or hang it down the sides.
Tie the bell to the bottom of the bow.
Keep the door handle and lock clear.

2. Paper Brick Fireplace

You need: red-brown paper or kraft paper, black paper, white paper, stockings, ribbon.

Cover the door with brick-pattern paper.
Cut a black fireplace opening in the middle.
Cut flame shapes from orange and yellow paper. These are paper only, with no real flame.
Hang a paper stocking for each family member above the opening.
Add a paper mantel shelf with a small tree and candles made from paper.

3. Cozy Cabin Door

You need: brown paper, craft sticks or wooden slices, green paper, white cotton batting, a small paper window.

Cover the door with brown paper “logs.”
Add a small window made of yellow paper.
Make a roof of white paper at the top.
Add paper pine trees at the sides and snow at the bottom.
Make a puff of smoke from white paper at the top. Keep it flat.

4. Toy Soldier Door

You need: red cardstock, black cardstock, white paper, gold paper, a paper hat, markers.

Cut two tall toy soldiers.
Give each a tall black hat, a red coat, gold buttons and white pants.
Add black boots at the bottom.
Stand them on each side of the door like guards.
Add a paper wreath in the middle.

5. Candy Shop Door

You need: white paper, red and pink paper, clear plastic or tissue, paper lollipops, ribbon.

Cover the door with white paper.
Make large paper lollipops with swirl patterns.
Add paper gumdrops and peppermint circles.
Make a striped awning at the top from red and white paper strips.
Keep everything flat and made of paper. No real candy.

6. Reindeer Stable Door

You need: brown paper, tan paper, green paper, black markers, a paper bale of hay.

Cut the door into two halves with a line across the middle, like a stable door.
Place two reindeer heads peeking over the top half.
Add paper hay at the bottom.
Put a paper bucket and brush on the side.
Keep the faces friendly and the antlers big.

7. Santa’s Toy Workshop

You need: kraft paper, colored paper, markers, small paper tools, felt, string.

Cover the door with kraft paper.
Draw a workbench in the middle.
Add paper toys on top, like a train, a teddy bear and blocks.
Hang paper tools, like a hammer and a ruler, on the wall.
Add a paper clock above with the time set to “cookie time.”

8. Wreath Gallery

You need: three different wreath bases, yarn, paper, ribbon, felt, glue.

Make one yarn wreath, one paper wreath and one ribbon wreath.
Hang them in a line down the door.
Use the same two colors for all three.
Add small bows or paper berries.
Step back to make sure they are straight.

9. Cookie Jar Door

You need: a big circle of white or clear plastic paper, brown and white paper cookies, a gold lid, scissors.

Cut a big jar shape from clear contact paper or white paper.
Add a gold paper lid and a paper tag.
Fill the jar with paper cookies in different shapes.
Place a few cookies falling on the “floor.”
Add a small paper plate and a glass of milk next to the jar.

10. Snow Globe Door

You need: a big round circle of white or clear paper, blue paper, paper trees, a paper snowman, silver paper base.

Cut a big circle for the globe.
Fill it with a snowy scene: trees, a snowman and tiny snowflakes.
Add a base made of silver or gold paper under the circle.
Frame the globe with a thin ribbon or paper rim.
Use small white dots for falling snow.

11. Memory Ornament Door

You need: paper circles, ribbon, markers, gold caps, family photos or drawings (optional).

Give each family member a paper circle.
Ask each person to draw a favorite holiday memory on it.
Add a gold cap and a ribbon loop to each.
Hang the ornaments in rows from the top of the door.
Add the year on a small flat tag, if you want to keep it as a keepsake.

12. Woodland Peekaboo

You need: brown, orange, white and gray paper, markers, felt, a paper log.

Cut a fox, a bunny and a hedgehog.
Place them peeking out from behind paper trees and logs.
Add small snowflakes and pine cones made from paper.
Make the eyes big and friendly.
Keep the background simple so the animals pop.

13. Starry Night Sleigh

You need: dark blue or black paper, gold and silver paper stars, a black paper sleigh silhouette, white string.

Cover the door with dark paper.
Cut a sleigh and reindeer silhouette from black paper.
Place it flying across the middle of the door.
Add gold and silver stars all around.
Add a pale paper moon in the corner.

14. Giant Christmas Card

You need: white or red cardstock, a big paper envelope, markers, ribbon, a paper stamp.

Cover the door with a big paper card shape.
Draw a simple Christmas scene in the middle, like a tree and a snowman.
Add a paper envelope at the bottom with a bow.
Add a paper stamp in the corner.
Add a short, kind greeting on a small flat tag.

15. Frosted Window Door

You need: white tissue paper or wax paper, blue paper, scissors, a ruler, black paper for the frame.

Cut a big window frame from black paper.
Fill the panes with white tissue paper or wax paper for a frosted look.
Add white paper snowflakes on the panes.
Add a paper wreath in the middle.
Add red paper curtains on each side.

16. Pajama Day Clothesline

You need: string, colored paper, markers, clothespins, felt.

Hang a string across the door.
Cut pairs of paper pajamas, socks and a hat in different colors.
Clip them to the string with clothespins.
Add small paper snowflakes on the pajamas.
Add a paper basket at the bottom.

17. Lantern Glow Porch

You need: 3 to 5 outdoor-rated battery LED lanterns, evergreen branches, a wreath, a doormat.

Place the lanterns in a group by the door, away from the swing area.
Tuck the evergreen branches in a planter or pot next to them.
Hang the wreath in the center of the door.
Use LED candles only. No real flames.
Turn the lanterns on at dusk. Keep cords out of walkways.

18. Firewood and Evergreen Porch

You need: a small stack of firewood or wooden logs, a large pot, evergreen branches, red ribbon, a wreath.

Stack the logs neatly next to the door. Keep them away from the door swing.
Fill the pot with evergreen branches and add red ribbon.
Hang the wreath on the door.
Add a plain welcome mat.
Keep the walkway clear for guests.

19. Build-a-Snowman Door

You need: white paper circles, black hat, orange nose, stick arms, button circles, scarf, markers.

Cut the paper snowman in pieces and scatter them across the door.
Add arrows or dotted lines that show how to put them together.
Add a pile of snow at the bottom.
Add a small note that says “Build me” on a flat tag.
Let visitors rearrange the pieces if you like.

20. Sleepy Reindeer Bedroom Door

You need: brown paper, white paper, blue paper, a paper pillow, string, felt.

Cover the door with pale blue paper.
Make a big reindeer asleep on a paper bed.
Add a paper blanket with stars.
Hang a small paper “Do not disturb” sign.
Add small “zzz” shapes made from paper.

How to Run a Family or Neighborhood Contest

Set a start date and end date.
Give each door a number or a name.
Pick a judge or a vote. Family votes can use paper tickets in a jar.
Score on creativity, neatness, teamwork and Christmas spirit.
Give small prizes, like a hot cocoa kit, a trophy made from cardboard or first pick of the cookies.
Take photos of every door and make a small book or a photo wall.

Budget Tips

Use scrap paper, old wrapping paper, cardboard and fabric from home.
Collect branches and pine cones from your yard.
Shop dollar stores for ribbon, paper and tape.
Swap supplies with neighbors.
Reuse last year’s wreath and add a new bow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using paper outside in the rain without protection.
Covering the peephole, lock or house number.
Using heavy decor on a door that swings.
Using tape that peels paint.
Making the design too small to see from the street.
Waiting until the night before.

Safety Notes

Do not block the door from opening. Keep decor flat.
Do not use real candles or any flame near decor. Use battery LED lights.
Use only outdoor-rated lights and cords outside.
Keep cords out of walkways so no one trips.
An adult should handle hot glue, craft knives, ladders and tools.
Do not use latex balloons. Some people have latex allergies.
Keep small parts, button batteries and cotton batting away from young children and pets.
Do not use real food or candy. It can attract animals and bugs.
Use a sturdy step stool. Never stand on a chair.
Spray paint and sealers are for outdoors, with a mask.

Planning Guide and Make-Ahead Plan

Two to three weeks before:

Check the rules and the weather plan.
Measure the door.
Pick one idea. Let the family vote.

One to two weeks before:

Gather supplies.
Cut and color the big shapes at the kitchen table.
Store pieces flat in a large folder or box.

Two days before:

Make the small details, like faces, bows and stars.
Test the layout on the floor.

The day before the contest:

Hang the background first.
Add the big shapes, then the small details.
Step back and check it from across the room or from the street.
Make sure the door opens and closes freely.

Tips to Win the Contest

Pick one big idea and one color plan.
Make shapes bold and large.
Add one small surprise that people only see up close.
Let every family member add one piece.
Add a gentle light at night if the contest is outside.
Keep edges neat and cut shapes clean.

FAQ

Can I use these ideas outside?
Yes, but protect paper with clear contact paper or keep it under a covered porch. Use outdoor-rated lights.

How do I hang decor without hurting the paint?
Use painter’s tape, removable adhesive strips or removable mounting putty. Test a small spot first.

What is the easiest idea on this list?
The Plaid and Pine Welcome and the Wreath Gallery are the easiest.

Can kids help?
Yes. Kids can draw, tear paper and decorate. An adult should do the cutting, hot glue and ladder work.

Can I use lights?
Yes. Use battery LED lights, and outdoor-rated ones outside.

What if I rent?
Ask your landlord first. Use removable adhesive strips and hooks, and test a small spot.

How long does it take?
Most doors take a few hours, spread over a few days.

How do I keep it fair in a neighborhood contest?
Use the same rules, the same dates and more than one judge.

Final Thoughts

A home Christmas door does not need to be fancy to feel special. Pick one idea from this list, keep it simple and let everyone add a small part. Check the weather, follow the rules and have fun. The best doors are the ones that make your family smile every time they walk by.

Note: The pictures here were generated with AI to show the idea, so real homes, doors and materials may look a bit different.