Listen, we need to talk about your boring door. You know, that flat surface everyone walks past without a second glance? Well, Christmas door decorating contests are taking over neighborhoods faster than you can say “jingle bells,” and if you’re not ready with some killer ideas, you’ll be the house everyone politely ignores while oohing and ahhing at Mrs. Henderson’s masterpiece next door.
I’ve spent the last five years judging (and occasionally competing in) these festive showdowns, and let me tell you—the competition gets fiercer every year. Gone are the days when slapping a wreath on your door and calling it a day would cut it.
These days, you need strategy, creativity, and maybe a little bit of that competitive spirit that makes you want to crush Dave from accounting at everything.
So whether you’re gunning for that sweet first-place trophy or just want to make the neighborhood kids stop and stare, I’ve got 15 door decorating ideas that’ll transform your entrance from “meh” to magical.
Trust me, after testing these out (and winning three contests, but who’s counting?), I know what works.
Gingerbread House Door Design
You want to stop traffic? Turn your door into a life-sized gingerbread house. This idea makes everyone—and I mean everyone—lose their minds in the best way possible.
Start with brown craft paper or fabric as your base. You’ll want to cover the entire door and surrounding frame to create that authentic gingerbread look. Then comes the fun part: creating the candy decorations. I use pool noodles cut into circles for peppermints, painted foam boards for chocolate bars, and cotton batting for the icing trim.
Here’s what you’ll need for the ultimate gingerbread door:
• White felt or foam strips for the icing drips along the top
• Colored paper plates transformed into lollipops and candy buttons
• Glitter foam sheets cut into gumdrop shapes
• White chalk or paint markers for adding “frosting” details
• Brown ribbon to create a chocolate bar door handle cover
The secret sauce? Add battery-operated LED lights behind translucent candy decorations. When I did this last year, my neighbor’s kid literally asked if they could eat my door. Pro tip: spray everything with a clear sealant if you live somewhere rainy—learned that one the hard way.
Making It Competition-Worthy
Want to really nail this design? Add dimension with 3D elements. Attach actual candy canes (sealed in clear coating) and create window boxes with fake gingerbread cookies peeking out. The judges eat this stuff up—pun totally intended.
Santa’s Workshop Entrance
Who doesn’t want their door to look like the entrance to Santa’s actual workshop? This design transforms your boring entryway into the most magical place at the North Pole.
Cover your door in red vinyl or paper, then add a workshop sign at the top. I made mine from an old piece of wood, painted it green, and wrote “Santa’s Workshop – Toy Production Since Forever” in gold paint. The key here is layering elements to create depth and interest.
Essential workshop elements include:
• Tool cutouts from cardboard (hammers, saws, paintbrushes)
• Toy illustrations or actual small toys attached to the door
• A work schedule showing elf shifts (kids love this detail)
• Jingle bells that actually ring when the door opens
• A “Nice List Verification Station” sign
The Workshop Window Effect
Here’s a trick that blew everyone’s mind: create a fake window in your door using a picture frame and mirror film. Behind it, place battery-operated moving figures of elves working. Sounds complicated? It’s actually easier than teaching your dog not to eat tinsel.
I added a motion sensor that plays workshop sounds when someone approaches. FYI, this might be overkill, but the look on people’s faces? Priceless.
Winter Wonderland Theme Door
Sometimes you want elegance over kitsch, and that’s where the Winter Wonderland theme absolutely shines. Think Frozen met a high-end department store window display.
Start with a white or silver base—I prefer metallic wrapping paper because it catches light beautifully. Layer white tulle or sheer fabric to create texture and movement. The goal? Make your door look like it’s been kissed by Jack Frost himself.
Must-have wonderland elements:
• Hanging snowflakes at varying heights (use fishing line for that floating effect)
• White branches spray-painted with glitter
• Mirror fragments to mimic ice crystals
• Battery-operated icicle lights
• Faux snow sprayed around the edges
Creating the Frozen Effect
Want to know what really sells this look? Iridescent cellophane. Cut it into icicle shapes and layer them down your door. When light hits them, they create this amazing rainbow effect that makes real ice jealous.
Add a snow-covered wreath with silver and white ornaments. Skip the red and green entirely—this look is all about that monochromatic magic.
Grinch Stole Christmas Door
Ready to embrace your inner grouch? The Grinch door lets you be festive while keeping that sarcastic edge we all secretly love.
Paint or cover your door in Grinch green (that specific shade of lime-ish green that screams mischief). Create the Grinch’s face with the door as his head—eyes at the top, that devious smile across the middle. His Santa hat should extend above your door frame for maximum impact.
Grinch door essentials:
• Yellow contact paper for those scheming eyes
• Black felt for eyebrows and mouth details
• Red fuzzy fabric for the Santa hat
• White cotton for hat trim and pom-pom
• Max the dog cutout as a door handle decoration
Adding Story Elements
Here’s where you can have fun: add stolen presents around the door frame, hanging from rope. Create a sign that says “Stealing Christmas Since 1957” or “Quiet! Plotting in Progress.” I even added fake footprints leading away from the door using green paint. Too much? Never.
Cozy Fireplace Scene Door
Transform your entrance into a warm, inviting fireplace that makes everyone want to grab hot cocoa and settle in. This design brings indoor coziness to your outdoor space.
Create the fireplace surround using cardboard painted to look like brick. The door itself becomes the fireplace opening, complete with logs, flames, and maybe even stockings hung with care. What really sells this? Flickering LED candles placed strategically to mimic fire.
Fireplace must-haves:
• Brown and red paper for realistic brick texture
• Orange and yellow cellophane for flames
• Real or faux stockings hung on removable hooks
• Miniature presents stacked beside the “fireplace”
• Garland draped across the mantel area
Elf on the Shelf Door Surprise
Parents, this one’s for you. Turn that creepy little elf into door decoration gold. Your kids will freak out (in the good way), and you’ll finally have a use for all those elf accessories you bought on sale.
Position your elf as if he’s bursting through the door to report back to Santa. Create a hole effect using black paper, with the elf’s body halfway through. Surround him with “elf evidence”—tiny footprints, miniature tools, and maybe some cotton ball snow he tracked in.
Also Read: 15 Joyful Christmas Haul Ideas for Stocking Stuffers
Candy Cane Lane Door Decor
Sweet tooth alert! This design turns your door into a candy paradise that Willy Wonka would envy 🙂
Cover your door in red and white stripes to mimic a giant candy cane. But don’t stop there—create an entire candy landscape around your entrance. Use pool noodles wrapped in cellophane to create giant candy decorations, and hang oversized lollipops made from paper plates and wrapping paper.
Candy creation guide:
• Styrofoam balls wrapped in clear cellophane for hard candies
• Cardboard circles painted and spiraled for peppermints
• Tissue paper twisted into taffy shapes
• Glitter everywhere (because candy sparkles, obviously)
• Candy cane pathway using yard stakes
The Sugar Rush Effect
Add a “Welcome to Candy Cane Lane” street sign next to your door. Create fake candy wrappers scattered on the ground (laminated for weather resistance). The more over-the-top, the better—this theme thrives on excess.
Snowman Family Door Display
Who says snowmen need snow? Create an adorable snowman family portrait right on your door that’ll melt hearts without melting away.
Use white poster board circles of different sizes to create your snowman family members. Give each one personality—dad snowman with a top hat, mom with a festive scarf, kids with earmuffs. The door becomes their backdrop, decorated like a winter scene.
Building your snow family:
• Orange foam for carrot noses of varying sizes
• Black buttons (actual buttons work great)
• Fabric scraps for unique scarves and accessories
• Twig arms (or brown pipe cleaners for easy attachment)
• Googly eyes for the kids’ snowmen (adds whimsy)
Nativity Scene Christmas Door
For those wanting to honor the religious meaning of Christmas, a nativity scene door creates a beautiful, meaningful display that stands out among the secular decorations.
Create a stable backdrop using brown kraft paper with wood grain drawn on. Position paper cutouts or lightweight figures to tell the nativity story. A star at the top of your door frame guides the way, just like the original.
IMO, the key to a stunning nativity door is lighting. Use warm white LEDs to create a heavenly glow around baby Jesus. Add depth with layered figures—shepherds and wise men approaching from the door’s edges.
Also Read: 15 Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas to Impress Your Loved Ones
Christmas Movie-Inspired Door
Pick your favorite Christmas flick and run with it. Whether it’s Home Alone, Elf, or Die Hard (yes, it counts), movie-themed doors instantly connect with people.
For Home Alone, create Kevin’s battle plan with fake paint cans hanging from strings and a “Keep Out” sign. Elf fans? Cover your door in the four food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup. Add Buddy’s excited face peeking through.
Movie magic elements:
• Movie quotes in speech bubbles around the door
• Character cutouts positioned strategically
• Iconic props from your chosen film
• QR code linking to the movie soundtrack (tech-savvy touch)
• Scene recreation using minimal but recognizable elements
Reindeer Stable Door Design
Transform your entrance into Rudolph’s home base. This design works brilliantly because you can make it cute or sophisticated depending on your style.
Create a stable door effect by dividing your door horizontally with brown paper. Add hay (raffia works great) poking out from the bottom half. Position reindeer faces peering over the top half—Rudolph front and center with a light-up red nose, naturally.
Stable essentials:
• Antlers extending beyond the door frame
• Jingle bell collars that actually jingle
• Name plates for each reindeer
• Hoof prints leading to your door
• Carrots in a bucket beside the door
The Interactive Element
Here’s what sets this apart: create feeding time instructions for kids to “feed” the reindeer. Add a small basket with paper carrots they can take. Kids go absolutely bonkers for interactive decorations.
North Pole Post Office Door
Make your door the official North Pole Post Office where letters to Santa get processed. This interactive design engages the whole neighborhood.
Paint your door red with white trim, resembling a classic post office entrance. Add an actual mailbox (decorated, of course) where kids can drop their Santa letters. Create official-looking signs: “North Pole Post Office – Express Delivery to Santa” and post North Pole shipping rates for giggles.
Post office necessities:
• Postal service logo redesigned with Christmas themes
• Zip code 00001 (North Pole’s official zip)
• Delivery schedule showing Santa’s route
• Stamps featuring Christmas characters
• Package props wrapped and labeled to famous recipients
Also Read: 15 Elegant Farmhouse Christmas Decor Ideas to Transform Spaces
Ugly Sweater Door Theme
Embrace the tacky Christmas trend by turning your door into a gloriously ugly Christmas sweater. The uglier, the better—that’s literally the point.
Choose the most obnoxious color combination possible. Think neon green with hot pink, or purple with orange. Create sweater texture using yarn or felt glued in patterns. Add 3D elements like actual pom-poms, bells, and maybe even battery-operated flashing lights.
Maximum ugly achievements:
• Clashing patterns (stripes AND polka dots AND zigzags)
• Random Christmas elements (cats in Santa hats riding unicorns)
• Googly eyes on everything
• Tinsel used excessively and incorrectly
• Mismatched buttons down the center
The Comfort Factor
Add a “Grandma Made This With Love” tag at the bottom. Create knitting needles crossed at the top. The joke lands better when you commit fully to the bit.
Frosty Forest Door Aesthetic
Transport visitors into an enchanted winter forest before they even step inside. This nature-inspired design brings outdoor magic to your entrance.
Layer different shades of green paper to create evergreen trees across your door. Add white paint splatters or cotton for snow on the branches. The trick? Vary your tree heights and types to create a realistic forest depth.
Forest elements to include:
• Pine cone garlands framing the door
• Woodland creatures peeking from behind trees
• Twinkling lights mimicking stars through branches
• Fog effect using white tulle at the bottom
• Forest sounds from a hidden speaker (optional but awesome)
Christmas Countdown Advent Door
Turn your door into a giant advent calendar that builds excitement throughout December. This interactive design keeps people coming back to see what’s new.
Create 25 pockets or doors across your door surface using envelopes, small boxes, or fabric pouches. Each day reveals a new Christmas image, joke, or small decoration that adds to the overall design. By Christmas, your door tells a complete story.
Advent door organization:
• Number each pocket clearly from 1-25
• Color-code weeks for visual organization
• Include variety (images, jokes, facts, activities)
• Add lights that illuminate each opened day
• Create anticipation with “coming soon” teasers
The Grand Reveal
Plan your reveals strategically. Save the best decorations for the final week. Maybe day 24 reveals battery-operated music, and day 25 shows a “Merry Christmas” message that ties everything together.
Making Your Door Competition-Ready
After years of competing (and judging), here’s what separates winners from participants: attention to detail, weather resistance, and that “wow” factor that makes judges stop in their tracks.
Weatherproof everything. Seriously. That gorgeous paper decoration becomes sad mush after one rain shower. Laminate paper elements, seal fabric with spray, and secure everything with more adhesive than seems necessary.
Remember, judges often view doors at night, so lighting makes or breaks your display. Battery-operated LEDs are your best friend—no one wants to see extension cords ruining the magic. Motion sensors add an interactive element that judges love.
Final Thoughts
Look, decorating your door for a Christmas contest might seem like a lot of work. But when you see kids’ faces light up, when neighbors stop to take photos, when you finally beat Dave from accounting (yes, him again)—it’s worth every minute of hot glue gun burns and glitter in weird places :/
Pick an idea that speaks to you, add your own spin, and most importantly, have fun with it. Whether you go full Grinch or create a winter wonderland, the best door is one decorated with enthusiasm and maybe a little competitive spirit.
Now get out there and show them what your door can do. And hey, when you win that contest, remember who gave you these killer ideas. May your door be merry, bright, and absolutely unforgettable this Christmas season!
