35 Christmas Door Decorating Contest Ideas
As the holiday season approaches, front doors become more than just entrances — they’re statements of warmth, welcome, and yuletide spirit. Vintage-inspired décor is especially magical: rich in nostalgia, full of character, and perfect for setting the scene of a festive contest among neighbours, offices or classrooms. Drawing on timeless materials like aged wood, brass lanterns, plaid ribbons, pinecones, dried citrus, and retro ornaments, you can turn a simple door into a charming holiday vignette. According to designer advice, wreaths, garlands, deep colours like burgundy and forest green, and antique-style accents are key.
Below are ten strong ideas you can use for a decorating contest — each one described in detail with tips, variants, and a unique image prompt for that idea.
1. “Classic Victorian Wreath & Garland Entrance”
Start with a base of elegance: frame the door with a lush garland of evergreen (pine, fir or cedar) and hang a large, full wreath at its centre. Use rich, old-world colours like deep burgundy, dark green, and gold accents. Add dried citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, pinecones, velvet bows and maybe a few antique brass bells for sound and texture. This is a look rooted in the “old-fashioned holiday scene” aesthetic. balsamhill.com.au+1
Why it works in a contest: It reads as elevated and timeless. The grand scale and quality of materials catch the eye.
Tips:
- Use identical garlands on either side of the doorframe for symmetry.
- Choose a deep-coloured background door (forest green or charcoal) to make the wreath pop.
- Consider adding lanterns on either side of the entrance for ambience after dusk.
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Image prompt (9:16 portrait shape, high-resolution):
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 aspect ratio. A front door set in a classic home facade painted deep forest green, framed by a thick evergreen garland draped around the doorframe. Centered on the door hangs a large, full wreath decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pine cones and velvet burgundy ribbon bows. Soft golden fairy lights woven through the garland and wreath, a pair of antique brass lanterns on either side of the door lit gently. Overall colour palette: deep green, burgundy, gold, natural pine tones. Style: vintage Victorian holiday elegance, warm inviting atmosphere, soft dusk lighting, high-resolution, Pinterest friendly.”
2. “Rustic Barn Wood & Antique Lanterns”
For a more farmhouse-vintage feel: use reclaimed wood planks or wood-grain signage around or above the door, paired with old-style lanterns, maybe even a wood sled or vintage skis leaning beside the entry. Incorporate plaid ribbons (a hallmark of vintage décor) and subtle lights. This embraces the “wooden ornaments, antique-style lanterns” suggestion for vintage Christmas door décor. expressdoorsdirect.co.uk
Why it works: Contest entrants love texture and storytelling. Reclaimed wood + vintage lanterns = character.
Tips:
- Select one statement item (e.g., an old sled) rather than clutter.
- Keep the colour palette simple: natural wood tones, black or dark metal, red/green plaid.
- Use battery-operated warm LED string lights inside lanterns to highlight at night.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A rustic front door made of reclaimed barn wood planks, framed by two antique black metal lanterns hanging on either side. Above the door, a wood-plank sign reading ‘Merry Christmas’ in faded white paint. The door wreath is simple evergreen with a large red-black buffalo plaid ribbon bow. A sled leaning against the wall beside the door, small burlap-wrapped fir trees on each side. Colour palette: weathered wood, black metal, green, red/black plaid. Style: vintage farmhouse holiday, warm early evening light, high-resolution, Pinterest ready.”
3. “Retro Ornament Explosion Door”
Channel the mid-20th–century holiday charm by decorating the door with a cluster of vintage-style ornaments: shiny-glass balls in pastel pink, aqua, mint, silver and gold, and maybe some retro atomic starburst accents or old-style tinsel. Anchor them around the doorframe or even as a wreath alternative. The vintage ornament company Shiny Brite, known for its 1940s-50s glass ornaments, is a good reference point for this look. Wikipedia
Why it works: It’s fun, colourful and nostalgic — perfect for a holiday door contest that wants to stand out.
Tips:
- Limit the palette to 3-4 colours for cohesion.
- Use lightweight ornaments for safe hanging on door surfaces.
- Consider including LED-back-lighting to make the glass ornaments glow.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A mid-century style front door painted soft aqua, surrounded by a dense cluster of vintage glass ornaments: pastel pink, mint, aqua, silver and gold, forming a wreath-like shape and extending up the doorframe. Chrome starbursts and small tinsel sprays interspersed. The ornaments reflect soft white light from a nearby porch lantern. Colour palette: pastel hues, metallic silver/gold, aqua door. Style: retro holiday party chic, high-resolution, Pinterest-friendly.”
4. “Candy-Cane Striped Door Wrap”
For the door itself to become part of the decoration: wrap the entrance in vertical or diagonal red-and-white “candy-cane” stripes (using removable vinyl or wrapping paper). Add a huge bow at the top, and keep wreath/garland minimal so the stripes shine. The visual impact is immediate and fun.
Why it works: It’s bold, playful and easily photographed for contest voting.
Tips:
- Use weather-resistant materials if outdoors.
- Anchor with a simple evergreen swag or minimal wreath so the pattern isn’t overwhelmed.
- Add twinkling white lights for night-time effect.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door completely wrapped in thick diagonal red and white stripes like a giant candy-cane. At the top centre, a huge glossy red bow with trailing ribbon. On each side of the door, slim white potted fir trees with red baubles. Subtle warm white string lights around the doorframe. Colour palette: red, white, green. Style: festive playful vintage candy-canes, high-resolution, perfect for Pinterest.”
5. “Antique Skates & Inner-City Ice Rink Theme”
Imagine the door as the entrance to a nostalgic ice-skating rink: hang a pair of antique ice skates, add faux snow spray or cotton “snow”, a backdrop of frosted window decals or a snowy scene, and maybe a vintage sign reading “Skate Here” or “Winter Wonderland”. The combination of vintage sports gear and seasonal motifs gives a timeless feel.
Why it works: It tells a story and evokes childhood memories — powerful in a decorating contest.
Tips:
- Use real vintage skates if available (polished up), or replica white leather skates.
- Accent with silver and white for the “ice” feel, and keep greenery minimal.
- Use a soft spotlight to highlight the skates at night.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door painted pale ice-blue with a slight frost texture. Hanging from the door knob is a pair of white vintage ice-skates with silver blades, lace curled attractively. The frame of the door is lightly dusted in artificial snow spray and flanked by white birch logs stacked neatly. A subtle vintage sign above reads ‘Winter Wonderland’ in faded silver. Colour palette: pale blue, white, silver, a touch of evergreen. Style: nostalgic winter-skating charm, high-resolution, Pinterest aesthetic.”
6. “Santa’s Vintage Mail Room”
Transform the door into Santa’s old-fashioned postal entrance: cover the door in kraft brown paper (or use burlap) and attach vintage-style postage stamps, old letters (with “To Santa” in red cursive), and small wooden crates or mailboxes around the doorway. Add a garland of greenery above and string of red berries for contrast. This idea leans into vintage ephemera and letter-writing traditions.
Why it works: It’s creative, invites interaction and photo opportunities (guests may “post” theirs).
Tips:
- Use realistic-looking old letters (distressed edges) for authenticity.
- Place a small drop-box tin labelled “Santa’s Mail” next to the door.
- Complement with warm amber lighting to evoke old postal offices.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door covered in smooth kraft-brown paper with ‘Santa’s Mail Room’ stenciled in dark red at the top. Scattered across the door are vintage-style postage stamps, sealed letters tied with red string, an old wooden crate to one side labelled ‘Letters to Santa’. Above the door a light garland of cedar with red berry clusters. Warm yellow-glow lantern on one side. Colour palette: kraft brown, cedar green, red accents, warm amber light. Style: vintage postal holiday theme, high-resolution for Pinterest.”
7. “Toy Shop Window Front Door”
Embody the vintage toy store of the 1950s: use oversized old-style toy blocks, tin wind-up toys or replicas, and a display like a shop window on the door. Think pastel palette with pops of red and green, and add a small striped awning over the door if possible. The result is playful yet classic.
Why it works: It stands out, brings joy, and gives lots of visual detail — perfect for judging in a contest.
Tips:
- Use faux wooden toy blocks spelled out with “JOY” or “NOEL”.
- Hang wind-up toy replicas (robots, tin cars) as accents.
- Keep the greenery minimal so the toy display remains the hero.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. The front door is painted pastel mint, above it a small red-and-white striped awning. On the door are three large vintage toy-blocks (wood grain texture) spelling ‘JOY’ in bold red letters. Surrounding the blocks are tin wind-up robots, a classic red wagon, a small wooden rocking horse. A thin garland of evergreen with tiny white lights borders the doorframe. Colour palette: pastel mint, red, wood grain, chrome/silver. Style: vintage toy shop Christmas, high-resolution, Pinterest friendly.”
8. “Gingerbread House Entry”
Bring in the whimsical old-world charm of a gingerbread house: outline the door and sidelight panels with faux icing (white paint or thick white trim), candy-cane poles on either side, oversized foam gum-drops or sweets decorating the garland, and a warm brown-toned door as the “cookie” base. The vintage twist comes through through the stylised interpretation rather than hyper-modern candy décor.
Why it works: Fantasy meets vintage — memorable and photo-worthy for contest entries.
Tips:
- Use polystyrene or wood cut-outs for large candy decorations to withstand weather.
- Keep the colour palette sweet but toned down: e.g., muted pastel gum-drop colours rather than neon.
- Add soft white LED lights to mimic “icing” glow at dusk.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door painted warm cookie-brown. White faux-icing trim (in thick painted strokes) outlines the door’s rectangular frame. On either side stand candy-cane striped poles reaching up to the door header. Across the door hangs a wreath made of oversized muted-pastel gum-drops (soft pink, mint, cream), interspersed with small gingerbread-man ornaments. Soft warm lighting around the trim. Colour palette: cookie brown, white, soft pastel candy colours. Style: vintage gingerbread house Christmas entry, high-resolution, Pinterest ready.”
9. “Nordic Vintage Minimalist Door”
For a more restrained vintage look: embrace Scandinavian simplicity but with vintage materials: natural evergreens, birch bark elements, wooden stars, wool felt ornaments in muted reds, whites and greys. The look is calm, elegant, and pulls from vintage Nordic Christmas sensibilities. expressdoorsdirect.co.uk+1
Why it works: Contest-worthy because it shows restraint, sophistication and thoughtful design rather than overload.
Tips:
- Choose a light wood or soft-white door for a clean canvas.
- Use one large wreath or garland with birch-bark wrappers.
- Accent with warm white lights only — keep ornamentation minimal.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door in soft off-white or pale wood. Hanging from the door is a simple evergreen wreath wrapped with thin birch-bark ribbon and adorned with two large wooden stars grey-washed. The doorframe is flanked by two tall white birch logs tied with thin wool red-and-white string. Soft warm white string lights around the frame, no bright colours. Colour palette: white, natural wood, soft grey, muted red. Style: Nordic vintage minimalist holiday, high-resolution, Instagram/Pinterest friendly.”
10. “Holiday Postcard Scenery Door”
Create a scene on the door itself — like a vintage holiday postcard: imagine a snow-covered evergreen forest, vintage sleigh silhouette, old-style signage reading “Welcome to Christmas 1955” or similar, with warm copper/bronze accents and classic lanterns. Use muted pastel sky blues, snowy white, and antique bronze highlights. The result is dreamy and nostalgic.
Why it works: It invites viewers to “step into” a memory or scene — strong in contest appeal.
Tips:
- Use a large vinyl decal of a vintage sleigh or forest scene if painting is too complex.
- Keep the door handle and hardware visible to anchor reality.
- Add subtle snow-effect spray around the edges for softness.
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Image prompt:
“Portrait orientation, 9:16 ratio. A front door painted sky-blue fading into white at the bottom, giving a snowy horizon effect. On the door is a vintage bronze coloured silhouette of a horse-drawn sleigh. Above it, an old-style sign in copper letters: ‘Christmas Greetings – 1955’. Around the doorframe, a thin frosted-snow spray effect and two antique lanterns with flickering LED ‘candles’. Colour palette: sky blue, snowy white, bronze/copper, evergreen accents. Style: vintage holiday postcard turned door, high-resolution, Pinterest shareable.”
Conclusion
Each of the above ten ideas offers a unique twist on the vintage holiday door theme — from opulent Victorian elegance to minimalist Nordic charm, from playful toy-shop nostalgia to the fun of candy-cane wrap. For a door-decorating contest, success lies in a strong concept, thoughtful materials, and crisp styling that photographs well (especially for online voting or social sharing).