‘Tis the season to deck the desks! A Christmas cubicle decorating contest is one of the simplest, most effective ways to boost office morale, spark creativity, and fill the workplace with some much-needed holiday cheer. Whether you’re planning your first office cubicle Christmas decorating contest or looking to upgrade a tradition that’s gone a little stale, this guide walks you through everything—from setting the rules to handing out awards—plus a few tips for making it truly unforgettable.
Why Host a Christmas Cubicle Decorating Contest?
The weeks leading up to the holidays can feel like a slog. Deadlines pile up, energy dips, and the general “winter slump” sets in. A cubicle decorating contest flips that script.
For starters, it fosters camaraderie. When employees get creative together—whether they’re brainstorming themes or helping each other hang tinsel—connections form that wouldn’t happen in a regular workday. It also adds genuine energy to the office environment. A well-decorated workspace doesn’t just look festive; it feels different.
Best of all, it’s low-stakes. A cubicle Christmas decorating contest invites people to participate in a fun, pressure-free way—and that kind of lighthearted engagement goes a long way in building an inclusive, people-first company culture.
Set the Ground Rules for Participation
A successful office cubicle decorating contest starts with clear rules. Without them, you risk confusion, last-minute surprises, and (at worst) a safety issue or two.
Here’s what to nail down before you announce anything:
- Space boundaries: Define exactly what counts as “the cubicle”—walls, desk surface, surrounding floor area.
- Safety requirements: Battery-operated lights only. No fire hazards, no obstructed walkways. Make sure all decorations comply with fire codes and accessibility standards.
- Timeline: Set clear dates for setup and judging—allow at least a week for decorating and another for voting.
- Judging criteria: Popular benchmarks include creativity, use of theme, originality, and overall visual impact.
Share these rules early through email, Slack, or printed posters in common areas. The fewer surprises on contest day, the better.
Creative Cubicle Christmas Decorating Contest Ideas
Stuck on themes? Here’s a mix of cubicle Christmas decorating contest ideas to spark your team’s imagination:
Classic Themes
- Winter Wonderland — Snowflakes, white and silver tones, and faux snow create a serene, wintry feel.
- Santa’s Workshop — Toy-making vibes, elves, and plenty of red and green.
- North Pole Express — A train-themed setup with tickets, maps, and conductor hats.
Fun Themes
- Ugly Sweater Desk — Loud patterns, clashing colors, maximum cheese.
- Elf on the Shelf Takeover — Hidden elves, mischief scenes, and playful storytelling throughout the cubicle.
- Christmas Around the World — Each cubicle represents a different country’s holiday traditions.
Eco-Friendly Themes
- Recycled Decorations Only — Sustainable and surprisingly creative.
- Paper & Cardboard Challenge — Every decoration must be made from paper-based materials.
Pro tip: After the contest wraps up, let employees vote on the theme for next year. It builds anticipation and gives everyone a stake in the tradition.
How to Promote the Contest Across Your Office
A great contest with low turnout is a missed opportunity. Promotion matters—and it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Start with a multi-channel announcement: a company-wide email, a Slack message, and a physical poster or flyer in the break room or lobby. Every announcement should include the theme, key dates, and a quick summary of the rules.
From there, build hype. Share decorating tips from previous years. Post countdowns on your office bulletin board or intranet. Tease a “sneak peek” of the prize categories. The more buzz you generate beforehand, the higher your participation rate on contest day.
Provide Decorating Supplies and Tips
Not everyone has a garage full of holiday decorations—and that’s fine. Keeping the playing field level is part of what makes a cubicle decorating contest genuinely inclusive.
Consider providing a shared decorating station stocked with budget-friendly basics: tinsel, cardstock, tape, garland, and wrapping paper. You can also set up a donation box where employees drop off gently used decorations from home.
A few simple tips to share with participants:
- Wrap cubicle walls with festive wrapping paper for an instant, cohesive transformation.
- Use battery-operated fairy lights for a warm glow without any fire risk.
- Repurpose office supplies — paper clips, binder clips, and sticky notes can all become quirky DIY ornaments.
- Tell a story with the space. Cubicles with a clear narrative—a scene, a character, a concept—tend to stand out during judging.
Encouraging creativity, even for employees working with minimal resources, is what separates a memorable contest from a forgettable one.
Judging the Contest and Awarding Winners
How you select winners shapes the experience for everyone involved. Three common formats each have their merits:
- Peer voting: Inclusive and democratic—great for smaller offices.
- Management panel: More structured, useful when impartiality is a priority.
- Anonymous ballots: Reduces social pressure and tends to produce the fairest results.
Whichever method you choose, make the judging criteria visible before voting begins. Nobody wants to be surprised by how they were evaluated.
Rather than a single winner, consider creating multiple award categories to recognize more people:
- Most Creative
- Best Use of Office Supplies
- Merriest Theme
- Funniest Cubicle
More categories mean more winners—and a more inclusive, feel-good experience for the whole office.
As for prizes, they don’t need to be expensive to feel meaningful. Gift certificates or gift cards, coffee gift baskets, and early dismissal passes are always popular. A well-designed certificate printed on festive holiday border paper adds a personal touch that employees actually hold onto. It’s a small detail that carries more weight than you might expect.
Make the Contest Memorable and Shareable
The best Christmas cubicle decorating contests live on well beyond the event itself. A little documentation goes a long way.
Photograph and video every decorated cubicle. Feature the highlights in your company newsletter or internal intranet. Build a slideshow or collage for the office holiday party. With employee permission, share standout entries on your company’s social channels—it’s a genuine, human way to showcase your workplace culture.
Archive winning entries so future organizers have a reference point. Over time, this builds a library of inspiration that makes planning next year’s contest that much easier. carries more meaning than you might expect.
Start Planning Your Office Cubicle Decorating Contest Today
A Christmas cubicle decorating contest is more than a fun break from work. It’s a chance to bring people together, create lasting memories, and brighten the workplace during a season when that kind of connection really counts. With clear rules, an accessible setup, fair judging, and a little celebration at the end, your contest has every chance of becoming a holiday tradition your team genuinely looks forward to.
Ready to make it happen? Stock up on festive certificates, holiday border paper, and decorating supplies at PaperDirect.com to make your office cubicle Christmas decorating contest one for the books.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run a Christmas cubicle decorating contest at work?
Start by choosing a date in early to mid-December, then establish clear rules covering space boundaries, safety, themes, and judging criteria. Promote the contest through email, Slack, and physical signage. Provide accessible decorating materials, organize a fair voting process, and celebrate all participants—not just the winners.
What are some fun cubicle Christmas decorating contest ideas?
Popular themes include Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Workshop, Christmas Around the World, Ugly Sweater Desk, and Elf on the Shelf Takeover. Eco-friendly options like a Recycled Decorations or Paper & Cardboard Challenge work well for sustainability-conscious offices. Entries that tell a cohesive visual story tend to perform best in judging.
What award categories work well for a cubicle decorating contest?
Instead of a single winner, offer multiple categories: Most Creative, Funniest Cubicle, Best Use of Office Supplies, and Merriest Theme. Multiple award categories mean more recognition across the team and a more inclusive experience overall.
What prizes should I offer for an office cubicle decorating contest?
Prizes don’t need to be expensive. Gift cards, coffee or hot chocolate gift baskets, early dismissal passes, and personalized certificates are all popular choices. A well-designed certificate printed on festive border paper adds a lasting, personal touch.
How do you judge an office cubicle decorating contest fairly?
The three main formats are peer voting, a management panel, and anonymous ballots. Anonymous ballots tend to produce the fairest results by reducing social pressure. Always share the judging criteria—creativity, originality, theme execution, and overall impact—before voting begins so participants know what to aim for.