Christmas Window Decorations (8 Easy Looks and Exact Sizes)
Part of our guide: Holiday Party Decorations: The Complete Guide
A window is the easiest place to decorate for Christmas. It shows from the street, it needs no ladder on a window you can reach from the floor, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to take down. The two things people get wrong are buying the wrong length of lights and using sticky hooks that fall at night. This quick guide gives you the numbers and 8 easy looks.
Quick facts for one window:
- Time: about 20 to 40 minutes.
- Lights: measure around the frame, then add 2 to 4 feet (see the table below).
- Cost: about $13 for a simple look, $39 for the full look, per window. These are planning estimates.
- Safest light source: battery or plug-in LED lights and flameless candles. No real candles in a window.
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon to help you recreate this setup easily.
Warm White LED Fairy Lights 20 ft
Lights around the window frame.
Christmas Wreath 14 inch
The wreath in the window.
Paper Snowflakes 9 Pack
Snowflakes on clear line.
Flameless Window Candles Set of 3
Candles for the sill.
How many feet of lights do you need?
Lights run around the frame, so you need the distance around the window. Multiply (width + height) by 2, then divide by 12 to get feet. Buy a strand 2 to 4 feet longer, so the plug end reaches the outlet.
| Window size (inches) | Distance around | Buy this strand |
|---|---|---|
| 24 by 36 (small) | 10 ft | 12 ft |
| 36 by 60 (standard) | 16 ft | 20 ft |
| 48 by 72 (large) | 20 ft | 24 ft |
| 72 by 60 (picture window) | 22 ft | 25 ft |
If the window is not near an outlet, use a battery strand with a timer, so you do not run a cord across the floor.
8 easy Christmas window looks
1. Lights around the frame. Run warm white lights along the top and both sides, and keep the bottom clear if the sill is used. Use clear clips that fit the frame so the strand does not sag.
2. Paper snowflakes. Hang 9 snowflakes on a standard 36 by 60 inch window: 3 each of 4, 6, and 8 inches wide. Use clear fishing line at different lengths, from 6 to 24 inches, so they look like they are falling. Paper snowflakes cost very little and can be cut from printer paper.
3. Window clings. Gel clings stick to clean glass without glue, and most come off clean. Check the package for the glass types it suits. Put a group of 5 or 6 in one corner, or one big shape in the center, and keep the rest of the glass clear.
Lights on the frame and snowflakes at different lengths make the whole window.
4. A wreath in the window. A 14 to 16 inch wreath looks right on a standard window. Hang it from a ribbon looped over the top sash or from a removable hook, and add a red bow. Leave a few inches around it so the glass still shows.
5. A garland across the top. Lay a 6-foot garland on a 3-foot window, so it drapes down at both ends. Hold it with 3 small removable hooks and add 6 to 8 ornaments on the garland.
6. Candles on the sill. Set 3 flameless candles in different heights (3, 4, and 6 inches) on the sill, with a small tray under them. Use candles with a timer so they glow every evening.
7. Frosted corners. Spray snow or use a stencil on the glass in the 4 corners only. Test on one small spot first, and follow the can for removal, since some sprays are harder to wipe off older glass.
8. Hanging ornaments. Hang 6 to 8 shatterproof ornaments on clear line at 3 different lengths, 8, 14, and 20 inches. Use two colors only, such as red and gold.
A wreath, a garland, and three candles make a cozy window.
Three looks, with the cost for one window
| Look | What to use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | 20 ft of lights $8, 4 removable hooks $3, printer paper for snowflakes $2 | $13 |
| Cozy | 20 ft of lights $8, a 14 inch wreath $12, 3 flameless candles $9 | $29 |
| Full | The cozy look plus window clings $7 and 4 hooks $3 | $39 |
These are planning estimates for U.S. stores, exclude tax, and vary by store and region. Reuse the lights, wreath, and candles next year.
Mistakes to avoid
- Lights that block the view. Keep the center of the glass clear, so the room still gets daylight.
- Hooks on wet or dusty glass. Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before using any stick-on hook.
- Heavy items on a small hook. Check the weight limit on the package, and hang only light pieces such as paper, ribbon, and plastic ornaments.
- Real candles in a window. Curtains, paper, and garland are close by. Use flameless candles.
- A cord across the floor. Use a battery strand, or run the cord along the wall under a flat cord cover.
- The wrong surface. Check the hook or clip package for the surfaces it suits, such as glass, painted wood, or vinyl.
Helpful safety sources
- NFPA: safety with candles: Fire safety tips for candles, such as keeping them away from anything that can burn.
FAQ
How do you decorate a window for Christmas?
Start with warm white lights around the frame, then add one or two more items such as paper snowflakes, a wreath, or window clings. Keep the center of the glass clear, and use flameless candles on the sill instead of real ones.
How many feet of lights do I need for a window?
Measure around the window frame: (width + height) x 2, divided by 12, gives feet. A standard 36 by 60 inch window needs 16 feet, so buy a 20 foot strand. Add 2 to 4 feet so the plug reaches the outlet.
How do you hang Christmas decorations on a window without damage?
Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol, let it dry, and use removable hooks or clear clips. Check the weight limit on the package, and hang only light pieces. Window clings and a ribbon loop over the top sash usually leave no marks, but check that the sash can still open and close.
What size wreath fits a window?
A 14 to 16 inch wreath looks right on a standard 36 by 60 inch window. For a small 24 by 36 inch window use a 12 inch wreath, and leave a few inches of glass around it.
How much does it cost to decorate a window for Christmas?
A simple look with lights, hooks, and paper snowflakes costs about $13 per window. A cozy look with a wreath and 3 flameless candles is about $29, and the full look is about $39. These are planning estimates and vary by store.
Are real candles safe in a window?
No. Curtains, paper, and garland are close to a window, so use flameless candles. They give the same glow with a much lower fire risk.
Related articles
- Christmas Front Porch Ideas
- Outdoor Christmas Lights Ideas
- Christmas Party Decorations
- Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
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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.
Hooks that come off clean.
Clips that hold the strand.
Clings for one corner.
Line for hanging snowflakes.
Garland across the top.
Ornaments for the garland and line.
For wreath bows.
Tray under the candles.
Snow for the corners.
Stencils for frosted corners.
Clean glass before hooks.
Timer for plug-in lights.
Covers a cord along the wall.
Holders for sill candles.
