10 Easy Christmas Office Decorations Ideas to Save Time & Effort

Let’s face it – spending eight hours a day staring at beige cubicle walls gets old fast, especially during the holiday season.

But here’s the thing: decorating your office for Christmas doesn’t mean turning your workspace into Santa’s workshop (unless you want to, no judgment).

After years of navigating the delicate balance between “festive professional” and “escaped from a Christmas store,” I’ve figured out exactly how to bring holiday cheer to the office without annoying that one Scrooge-y coworker who hates everything fun.

Whether you’ve got a private office, a cubicle, or just a tiny desk in an open floor plan, these Christmas office decoration ideas will transform your workspace from corporate drab to holiday fab.

And the best part? Most of these ideas are budget-friendly and won’t require a U-Haul to take home after the holidays.

Mini Desk Christmas Trees

A mini Christmas tree is the MVP of office decorating. It brings instant holiday vibes without eating up valuable desk real estate where you’re supposed to be, you know, working.

Choosing Your Perfect Office Tree:

• 12-18 inches tall (won’t block your monitor)
• Battery-operated lights (outlets are precious office commodities)
• Slim profile designs for tight spaces
• Pre-decorated options for lazy decorators (guilty!)
• Tabletop trees with weighted bases
• USB-powered versions for ultimate convenience

Styling Your Desk Tree:

Pick a tree that matches your office vibe. Going for professional? Choose a simple frosted tree with white lights. Want to show personality? Get one with quirky ornaments or unconventional colors. I once had a colleague with a pink tree covered in mini donuts – it became a whole thing.

Position your tree where it won’t interfere with actual work. Corner placement works brilliantly, or next to your monitor if you’ve got the space. Avoid placing it where you’ll knock it over every time you reach for your stapler.

Decorating Without Going Overboard:

Keep ornaments small and lightweight. Those giant glass balls from your home tree have no business in an office environment. Stick with mini ornaments, tiny garland, and maybe a miniature star topper.

Add a fun tree skirt made from festive fabric or even holiday-themed paper. It covers the base and adds a polished finishing touch that shows you actually care about the details.

Festive Desk Stationery Setup

Your everyday office supplies can get a holiday makeover without sacrificing functionality. This is where you can have fun while still looking somewhat professional.

Holiday Stationery Essentials:

• Christmas-themed pen holders (can repurpose coffee mugs)
• Festive sticky notes in red, green, and gold
• Holiday washi tape for decorating everything
• Seasonal paperclips (snowflakes, trees, candy canes)
• Decorative file folders in festive patterns
• Santa or snowman tape dispensers

Organizing with Style:

Swap your regular desk organizers for holiday versions. Use a decorative tin or festive basket to corral pens and supplies. I found this amazing vintage cookie tin at a thrift store that I use every year – cost me two bucks and gets compliments constantly.

Cover plain file organizers with wrapping paper or festive contact paper. This temporary makeover transforms boring office supplies into holiday decor. Plus, it’s super satisfying to peel off come January.

Functional and Festive:

Choose items that actually work, not just look cute. That adorable penguin stapler needs to actually staple things, or it’s just clutter. Prioritize function over cuteness – shocking advice, I know, but your productivity will thank you.

Create a cohesive look by sticking to 2-3 colors. Red and gold? Classic. Blue and silver? Elegant. Rainbow explosion? Maybe save that for home.

LED String Lights Cubicle Makeover

Nothing transforms a depressing cubicle faster than strategic lighting. String lights add warmth, personality, and make those afternoon video calls way more interesting for everyone else.

Lighting Options That Work:

• Battery-operated LED strings (no outlet hunting required)
• USB-powered lights that plug into your computer
• Micro fairy lights for subtle sparkle
• Color-changing options for mood lighting
• Timer-equipped lights (set it and forget it)
• Warm white over cool white (way more flattering)

Installation Strategies:

Check your office policy first – some places are weird about decorations for “safety reasons.” Assuming you get the green light, use removable command hooks to avoid damaging cubicle fabric.

Drape lights along the top edges of your cubicle walls. Create gentle swags rather than tight lines for a softer look. Avoid the temptation to light up every surface – you’re creating ambiance, not a nightclub.

Safety and Common Sense:

Keep lights away from paper piles and anything flammable. Use LED lights that stay cool to the touch. Never leave lights on overnight or when you’re away from your desk – fire marshals take a dim view of office fires started by festive decorations.

Position lights where they won’t create screen glare or blind your neighbors. That one coworker who sits across from you doesn’t need twinkling lights reflecting in their glasses all day.

Also Read: 12 Charming Fireplace Christmas Decorations Ideas for Holiday Style

Holiday-Themed Wall Art Prints

Bare cubicle walls are basically begging for some holiday cheer. Wall art adds personality without taking up precious desk space.

Art Print Ideas:

• Minimalist holiday designs (professional yet festive)
• Funny Christmas quotes for your industry
• Vintage holiday advertisements
• Winter landscapes and snow scenes
• Typography prints with seasonal messages
• DIY printables (free from countless websites)

Display Methods:

Use removable adhesive strips that won’t damage walls or cubicle fabric. Create a small gallery wall with 3-5 coordinating prints. Mix frame sizes and orientations for visual interest.

Change prints throughout the season if you’re feeling ambitious. Start with general winter scenes early December, switch to full Christmas mode mid-month, then wind down with New Year themes.

Creating Cohesion:

Match your frame colors to your overall desk decor scheme. All white frames look clean and professional. Mixed metallics add personality. Mismatched thrift store finds? That’s a bold choice that can either look curated or chaotic – you decide.

Print high-resolution images on quality paper. Blurry, pixelated prints scream “I didn’t try very hard” even if you spent hours searching for the perfect design.

Candy Cane Desk Accessories

Channel your inner elf with candy cane-themed accessories. This playful approach brings whimsy to your workspace without being over-the-top childish.

Candy Cane Decor Items:

• Striped pen holders and organizers
• Peppermint-themed mouse pads
• Red and white striped desk accessories
• Actual candy canes in clear jars (decoration and snack!)
• Candy cane shaped paperweights
• Striped picture frames

Styling the Sweet Theme:

Balance the sweetness with professional elements. Pair candy cane accessories with neutral office supplies to keep things from looking like a kindergarten classroom.

Fill a clear jar with candy canes as both decoration and treats for coworkers. This doubles as a conversation starter and makes you everyone’s favorite person during the 3 pm slump.

Keeping It Classy:

Choose high-quality accessories over cheap plastic versions. A well-made ceramic candy cane holder beats a dollar store plastic one every time. The investment pays off when it lasts years instead of breaking after two weeks.

Limit candy cane items to 2-3 pieces max. More than that and you cross the line from “festive” to “obsessed with peppermint” territory.

Desk-Friendly Wreaths and Garlands

Wreaths aren’t just for doors – mini versions add major impact to office spaces. Strategic garland placement transforms bland surfaces into festive focal points.

Office-Appropriate Options:

• Mini wreaths (8-12 inches diameter)
• Desk garland that won’t shed needles everywhere
• Magnetic wreaths for filing cabinets
• Succulent wreaths for year-round potential
• Felt or fabric versions for no-mess decorating
• Battery-operated lighted garland

Where to Place Them:

Hang a mini wreath on your cubicle wall using a command hook. Position it at eye level so people actually see it. Avoid hanging it where you’ll bump it constantly – that gets old fast.

Drape short garland along the top of your monitor or desk hutch. Secure it with removable tape or tiny command hooks. Keep it away from vents that’ll blow it around all day.

Maintenance Tips:

Choose faux greenery over real – nobody wants to vacuum pine needles from their keyboard weekly. Quality artificial garland looks realistic and lasts multiple seasons.

If you insist on real greenery, spray it with water daily and accept that it’ll dry out eventually. Have an exit strategy for when it starts dropping needles everywhere.

Also Read: 12 Festive Red and Gold Christmas Decor Ideas for Every

DIY Snow Globe Paperweights

Create custom snow globes that serve as both decoration and functional desk accessories. This craft project takes minimal time but delivers maximum charm.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Clear glass jars with tight lids (baby food jars work perfectly)
• Waterproof figurines or ornaments
• Distilled water
• Glycerin (makes glitter fall slower)
• Glitter (fine or chunky, your choice)
• Strong adhesive (E6000 or hot glue)

Assembly Instructions:

Glue your figurine to the inside of the jar lid. Let it dry completely – rushing this step leads to floating figurines, which is less magical than you’d think. Choose figurines that fit your office personality – snowmen, mini trees, or tiny desk chairs for meta humor.

Fill the jar almost full with distilled water. Add a tablespoon of glycerin and a generous pinch of glitter. Screw the lid on tightly and flip it over. Instant magic!

Functional Features:

These beauties double as paperweights for those annoying documents that always blow away. They’re also excellent fidget toys for when you need a mental break. Give them a shake and watch the glitter fall – it’s surprisingly meditative.

Make multiples in different sizes to create a little scene on your desk. Vary the glitter colors or figurines for visual interest.

Christmas-Themed Mouse Pads & Tech Covers

Your tech spends more time with you than most humans. Give it a festive makeover with holiday-themed accessories that combine function with flair.

Tech Decoration Options:

• Christmas mouse pads with wrist support
• Laptop skin decals (removable ones)
• Keyboard covers in festive patterns
• Phone cases with holiday designs
• Cable organizers shaped like candy canes
• USB hub decorations

Choosing Quality Tech Accessories:

Don’t sacrifice ergonomics for cuteness. Your mouse pad needs actual support, not just pretty patterns. Look for gel-filled wrist rests that happen to have holiday designs.

Removable laptop skins let you festify your computer without permanent changes. Choose designs that photograph well since your laptop appears in every video call.

Coordinating Your Tech Setup:

Match your tech accessories to your overall desk theme. If you’re going gold and white everywhere else, don’t suddenly introduce a neon green mouse pad covered in dancing Santas (unless that’s your thing, then absolutely do it).

Keep it professional enough that you wouldn’t be embarrassed if the CEO walked by. That line is different for every workplace – use your best judgment.

Office Plant Holiday Dress-Up

Give your desk plants a seasonal makeover. This is especially perfect if you’ve kept that succulent alive for more than three weeks (impressive, honestly).

Plant Decoration Ideas:

• Mini ornaments hanging from plant stems
• Tiny garland wrapped around pots
• Decorative plant stakes shaped like trees or snowflakes
• Festive pot covers or sleeves
• Small figurines nestled in the soil
• Battery-operated string lights woven through branches

Styling Without Harming Plants:

Keep decorations lightweight so they don’t damage delicate stems. Use ornament hooks designed for fine branches rather than heavy clips that might break your plant.

Add decorative elements to the pot rather than the plant itself. Wrap the pot in festive fabric, add a ribbon bow, or set it in a holiday-themed cachepot.

Plant-Specific Tips:

Succulents handle decorations best – they’re sturdy little plants. Delicate ferns might not appreciate the extra weight. Know your plant’s tolerance before loading it with ornaments.

Remove decorations if they seem to stress the plant. Drooping leaves or falling stems are your plant’s way of saying “this is too much, Karen.”

Team-Inspired Advent Calendar Display

Create an advent calendar for your whole team to share. This interactive decoration builds camaraderie while counting down to the holidays.

Advent Calendar Ideas:

• Daily motivational quotes for the team
• Small candy or treats in numbered pockets
• Gratitude prompts where team members add notes
• Countdown to holiday party or bonus day
• Daily mini challenges or jokes
• Pictures of team members as babies (always hilarious)

Setting It Up:

Get team buy-in first – not everyone wants forced holiday participation. Position the calendar in a common area where people can interact with it naturally.

Use a cork board, fabric hanging, or even a decorated poster board. Create 25 pockets or sections numbered for each day. Make it visually appealing so people actually want to engage with it.

Keeping It Inclusive:

Remember not everyone celebrates Christmas. Frame it as a general “holiday countdown” or “December celebration” to include everyone. Focus on universal themes like gratitude, kindness, or funny office memories.

Rotate who fills the calendar daily so one person isn’t stuck with all the work. Share the responsibility and the creativity.

Pulling It All Together

The best office Christmas decorations reflect your personality while respecting professional boundaries. You want festive, not fired 🙂

Your office space deserves to feel special during the holidays. Whether you go minimalist with just a tiny tree or transform your cubicle into a winter wonderland, make choices that bring you joy during the workday.

Start with one or two ideas that speak to you, then expand as you see what works. Not every suggestion will fit your space or style – pick what feels right and ignore the rest.

Most importantly, don’t let the Scrooges of the world rain on your parade. If decorating your desk with candy cane pens and a sparkly mini tree makes your workday better, do it.

Life’s too short to spend eight hours a day in a joyless beige box when you could be sitting in a festive beige box instead!

Now grab those decorations and make your workspace merry. Your coworkers might pretend they don’t care, but they’ll secretly love walking past your festive desk every day.

And when they inevitably ask where you got that adorable miniature wreath? Just smile and send them this article. You’re welcome!