Christmas Door Decorating Contest Ideas: 10 Themes and Judging
Part of our guide: Holiday Party Decorations: The Complete Guide
A door contest is a fun, low-cost way to bring a school hallway or an office together at Christmas. Everyone gets the same space, a door of about 36 by 80 inches (measure yours first), so the ideas matter more than the budget. This guide gives you 10 themes with the cost and time for each, simple rules, and a score sheet that makes judging fair.
- Themes in this guide: 10, each about $20 to $30 per door in materials.
- Door size: many doors are about 36 by 80 inches, so measure first.
- Build time: 2 to 4 hours for a small team.
- Paper needed: about 7 feet of a 36 inch wide paper roll.
- Judging: a 100-point score sheet with 5 categories.
- Safety first: keep the handle, the window, and the exit clear.
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon to help you recreate this setup easily.
Bulletin Board Paper Roll 36 inch Red
Covers the door.
Gold Ribbon Wide 4 inch
The present ribbon.
Battery Operated String Lights 20 ft
Safe lights.
Cotton Balls Jumbo
Marshmallows and snow.
Table of Contents
- 10 door themes that work
- A safe $25 plan for one door
- Contest rules
- The 100-point score sheet
- A 2-week plan
- Putting up and taking down
- Mistakes to avoid
- Helpful safety sources
- FAQ
- Related articles
10 door themes that work
Each idea is simple enough for a team of 3 to 6 people. Costs are planning estimates for U.S. stores, for materials only.
1. Giant present
Cover the door with bright wrapping paper, add a wide ribbon down the middle, and make a big bow from a paper loop on top. Cost: about $20. Time: 2 hours. It is the easiest idea, and it looks good from far away.
A giant present uses one paper, one ribbon, and one bow.
2. Gingerbread house
Use brown paper for the house, white paper for the “icing” along the edges, and paper candy for the roof. Cost: about $25. Time: 3 hours. Add a cotton ball wreath for the door. Kids can add their own candy shapes.
3. Snowman
Cover the door in white paper, add a scarf from fabric, a hat, and a face from paper. Cost: about $22. Time: 2 hours. It is a good first-time idea for a classroom.
A snowman door needs paper, fabric, and a few shapes.
4. Book tree
For schools and libraries: arrange paper “books” in a tree shape on a dark door, and top it with a star. Cost: about $20. Time: 3 hours. Each student can design a book spine.
5. Cozy fireplace
Build a paper brick fireplace around the door, hang felt stockings, and add a battery candle for the fire. Cost: about $28. Time: 4 hours. Use a battery light, never a real flame.
6. North Pole post office
Make a red mailbox from paper on the door, add an envelope slot, and put a sign above it. Cost: about $22. Time: 3 hours. Add a small box where students can drop in letters.
A post office door invites people to drop in a letter.
7. Winter wonderland
Use blue and white paper, hang paper snowflakes cut from coffee filters, and add a string of battery lights. Cost: about $25. Time: 3 hours. Snowflakes are a good job for younger kids.
8. Candy cane lane
Paint or tape red and white stripes on the door, add a big paper candy cane arch around the frame, and finish with paper peppermints. Cost: about $22. Time: 2 hours.
9. Reindeer stable
Cover the door in brown paper, add antlers over the top, and a red paper nose and two eyes in the middle. Cost: about $20. Time: 2 hours. Keep the antlers light so they do not pull the paper down.
10. Hot cocoa bar
Draw a giant mug on the door, glue cotton balls as marshmallows, and add paper cookies. Cost: about $22. Time: 2 hours. A fun idea for an office break room.
A giant mug and cotton ball marshmallows keep the cost low.
A safe $25 plan for one door
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 7 feet of paper from a 36 inch roll | $10 |
| Painter’s tape and glue sticks | $6 |
| One string of battery lights | $9 |
| Total | $25 |
This is the base kit and covers the paper, tape, glue, and lights. Felt, fabric, or craft supplies for your theme add about $0 to $10, so set the team cap at $30. Prices vary by store and region. See our Christmas party decorations for more ideas.
Contest rules
- One door for each team, with 3 to 6 people.
- A budget cap, such as $30, so every team has the same start.
- Use removable tape only, and test a small spot first.
- Keep the handle, the window, and the exit clear. The door must open fully.
- Use battery lights only. No real flames, and nothing hot.
- Check the building rules. Some schools and offices limit what can cover a door.
- Finish by the deadline, and take photos for the winners.
The 100-point score sheet
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Creativity | 30 |
| Fits the theme | 20 |
| Craft and neatness | 20 |
| Teamwork and participation | 15 |
| Safety and rules | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
Use 3 judges and take the average. If two doors tie, the higher creativity score wins, then the higher teamwork score. Judges should not be on a team. Give small prizes in the same categories, such as best craft or best teamwork, so more teams win something.
A 2-week plan
- Day 1: announce the contest, the rules, and the budget.
- Days 2 to 7: teams choose a theme and buy supplies.
- Days 8 to 12: teams build.
- Day 13: judging, with a short walk through the hallway.
- Day 14: winners, photos, and a thank-you.
Putting up and taking down
- Test the tape first on a small spot, and press it flat at the edges.
- Leave hinges, the handle, and the lock free, and keep any window uncovered.
- Do not cover signs or exit markings.
- Take it down within a few days after judging, and peel the tape slowly to protect the paint.
Mistakes to avoid
- No budget cap. The biggest budget wins, and fewer teams join.
- Blocking the exit. Always test the door.
- Real flames. Use battery lights.
- Judges on a team. Keep judging fair.
- Starting too late. Two weeks gives teams time.
Helpful safety sources
- NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety tips for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn. This is why the rules say to use battery lights.
FAQ
What are good Christmas door decorating contest ideas?
Ten simple themes work well: giant present, gingerbread house, snowman, book tree, cozy fireplace, North Pole post office, winter wonderland, candy cane lane, reindeer stable, and hot cocoa bar. Each costs about $20 to $30.
How much does it cost to decorate a door for Christmas?
About $25 for the base kit of paper, tape, glue, and a string of battery lights. Felt, fabric, or craft supplies add about $0 to $10, so a $30 cap per team works well.
How do you judge a door decorating contest?
Use a 100-point score sheet: creativity 30, fits the theme 20, craft 20, teamwork 15, and safety 15. Use 3 judges who are not on a team and take the average.
How big is a standard door?
About 36 by 80 inches. A 36 inch wide paper roll covers it with about 7 feet of paper.
What are the safety rules for a door contest?
Keep the handle, the window, and the exit clear, use removable tape, and use battery lights only. Check your school or building rules first.
How long does it take to decorate a door?
Two to four hours for a team of 3 to 6 people. Give teams about 2 weeks from the announcement to the judging day.
Related articles
- Christmas Party Decorations
- Christmas Front Porch Ideas
- Christmas Window Decorations Ideas
- Christmas Entryway Decor Ideas
📌 Pin this for later!
Recreate This Look: Complete Supply Checklist
Every prop, decor item, and material identified in our styled photos, linked directly to top-rated supplies on Amazon.
Safe on doors.
Snowman door.
Gingerbread and reindeer.
For paper shapes.
Stockings and hats.
Paper snowflakes.
For young helpers.
Draw the details.
Books, candy, envelopes.
Candy cane stripes.
Fireplace door.
Safe fireplace glow.
Winter wonderland.
Reindeer and snowman.
Icing details.
Hangs wreaths and props.
