The Benefits of Decorating the Office for Christmas Yourself

As Christmas approaches, homes, streets, and shops come alive with the glow of fairy lights and vibrant festive colours. But why should the holiday spirit stop there? Decorating the office for Christmas can transform your workplace and make every workday more magical.

While many companies opt for professional decorators, it’s worth considering whether that’s the best choice for your office. 

In addition to being a budget-friendly option, decorating the office for Christmas can be a great team-building opportunity and give your space that personal touch.

In this post, we explore why your office might benefit from a DIY approach to the Christmas makeover. Plus, we share some of our favourite decorating activities and office decor ideas to help you get started.

This guide explores:

Why decorating the office yourself is more budget-friendly

Team building Christmas decorating ideas

Christmas decor ideas for the office

Find Christmas decorations for the office at Christmas Tree World

Why decorating the office yourself is more budget-friendly

Drafting in the pros to deck the halls can be tempting, especially if you’re pressed for time or don’t know where to start. However, professional service charges quickly add up, and extra outgoings aren’t on anyone's Christmas wish list! 

Here are a few reasons why decorating the office yourself is the best way to spread Christmas cheer on a budget: 

  • It eliminates professional fees and decoration hire costs

Decorators often charge significant installation fees, as teams have to travel to the site to put up the decorations and return to collect them after the season ends. You’ll also often pay expensive hiring fees for the decorations, even though you only own them temporarily. By decorating yourself, you eliminate these expenses entirely.

  • It’s a one-time, long-term investment

Purchasing decorations and an artificial Christmas tree is a one-time investment. Whilst professional decorators will take back the decorations without giving back your money, your purchases will be yours to keep. 

When you invest in high-quality decorations from a reputable retailer like Christmas Tree World, your purchase can be reused year after year. Christmas lights, baubles, wreaths and garlands never go out of style, making your investment more economical in the long term.

  • It’s easier to budget 

When you decorate yourself, you have complete control over how much you spend. You can choose decorations that fit your budget without worrying about hidden costs or inflated prices. 

Plus, you can shop around for the best deals on decorations, mixing and matching items from different retailers to achieve a magical aesthetic while sticking to your allowance.

Team building Christmas office decorating ideas

Not only is decorating the office yourself a great money-saver, but it’s also an excellent way to bring your employees closer together. From friendly competitions to collaborative tasks, the bonding and team-building opportunities provided by Christmas decorating are not to be overlooked.

Whether you host a dedicated Christmas decorating day, invite staff to participate during their lunch break, or put on an after-work session, the following activities are great for spreading both community and Christmas spirit! 

Wreath and garland decorating 

Set up a station with plain wreaths, garlands, and a variety of decorative materials. Encourage individuals or teams to decorate their own Christmas items, which can then be hung or draped in the office. 

You could even turn this into a competition by getting members of staff to vote for their favourite design. 

Check out our How to Decorate a Plain Christmas Garland and How to Decorate a Plain Christmas Wreath guides for inspiration and crafting tips. 

Christmas tree decorating 

Gift each department an artificial Christmas tree and a selection of decorations, or let them bring their own in! 

You could allow each team to create a tree of their choice or add a twist by setting a theme for each tree. For example, one department could be challenged to create a maximalist tree, and one could be given a ‘winter wonderland’ theme. 

Read our Top 10 Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas post for more tree trends and ideas. 

Desk decorating 

Provide decorations like mini trees and Christmas ornaments for employees to deck out their desks with whilst encouraging them to bring or make their own decorations. You could offer a Christmas prize for the best-decorated desk or the most creative use of materials. 

This light-hearted competition is an easy way to makeover the whole office and bring some extra fun to the workday.

Bauble making 

Provide plain baubles and some paint, glitter, and stickers. Let the team design and create their own unique decorations. These baubles can then be added to the office Christmas tree as a reminder of everyone’s contribution.

Check out the following guides for some incredi-bauble inspiration! 

These activities aren’t just a stocking full of fun; they’re also fantastic for boosting your team’s communication and collaboration skills. 

By the end of your decorating session, the office will be transformed into a stunning winter wonderland. These DIY touches add a unique, personal flair to your workspace that no professional service could replicate.

Christmas decor ideas for the office

Now you’ve discovered the benefits of decorating the office yourself, you’ll be raring to get going. However, creating the perfect Christmas grotto is easier said than done.

Whether you’re aiming for a complete festive transformation or just want to add a few wintery accents, we’ve put together some simple yet effective tips for bringing holiday magic to your office without breaking the bank. 

  • Choose a theme or colour scheme 

One of the easiest ways to replicate that professionally decorated look when designing your space is to stick to a specific theme or colour palette. 

A traditional Christmas theme with a classic red, green, and gold colour scheme is an office favourite. Go for an ultra-realistic artificial tree dressed in traditional red and gold baubles and string warm white lights across windows and walls. 

Take the festivities up a notch by adding accessories like fake (or Secret Santa) presents under the tree. Or, create a classic Christmas scene, using foliage, like wreaths and garlands..

Incorporating your company’s branding is an excellent way to mix work and play at Christmas. Use baubles, ribbons, and other decorations in your brand’s colours, or create a custom tree topper featuring your company logo. Our complete decoration sets, available in red, blue, and silver, are great for creating colour-coded looks. 

  • Invest in an artificial Christmas tree

One of the benefits of decorating the office yourself is that your Christmas decorations can be reused year after year. Likewise, a high-quality artificial Christmas tree can last around 10 years, making it an excellent long-term investment for your office.

An eye-catching Christmas tree is sure to be the star of every office display, instantly transforming the space. Choose an ultra-realistic tree for a homely feeling, a snowy Christmas tree for a frosty design, or a towering 12ft Christmas tree for large, open-plan offices. 

Pre-lit artificial trees and fibre optic trees will save decorating time without compromising on the wow factor. Read our guide to the Best Office Christmas Trees for recommendations to suit every corporate space.

Our 10-year warranty on all trees guarantees your investment will keep looking merry and bright for many Christmases to come!

  • Add wreaths and garlands

Wreaths and garlands aren’t just for home decor; they’re a simple but effective way to amp up the holiday vibes in the office. 

Whether you’re hosting a decorate-it-yourself contest or opting for pre-lit wreaths and pre-decorated garlands to save time, these simple items can easily transform your space.

Drape garlands across desks, noticeboards, window frames, and windowsills to bring festivity to every corner of the room; hang wreaths on meeting room and office doors or use them to brighten up blank walls. 

Top tip: Create a professional look without the professional budget by investing in matching wreaths and garlands; here are a few of our favourite pairings: 

Creating a Christmas window display is a fantastic way to spread holiday cheer both inside and outside the office. It adds a welcoming touch for employees in the office and draws attention to your space, especially if you’re based in a central location.

Start by choosing a theme and planning your design based on the size, shape and location of your windows. Then, gather materials like fairy lights, window stickers, baubles, fake snow, wreaths and garlands, and novelty ornaments, which all make wonderful window decorations. 

Read our 15 Christmas Window Decoration Ideas blog for showstopping Christmas window display themes, tips for attaching decorations, and guidance on planning your design.

  • Brighten up your space

Never underestimate the power of Christmas lights! Even something as simple as using warm white lights to border your walls will transform the office into a twinkling wonderland. 

If you want to go the extra mile, you could make a cosy corner with a pre-lit blossom tree, invest in colour-changing Twinkly lights to give your office a unique glow or make a frosty ambience with cool icicle lights. 

Our Complete Guide to Christmas Tree Light Colours reveals all the tips and tricks you need to choose the perfect Christmas lights and use lighting to create beautiful spaces. 

Find Christmas decorations for the office at Christmas Tree World

The benefits of decorating the office yourself are undeniable! It’s more cost-effective than hiring professionals, and you can add your own unique style to the office. 

Plus, getting everyone involved is a fantastic way to build team spirit and create a welcoming environment for employees, visitors, and passersby alike. 

Ready to get started? At Christmas Tree World, we have everything you need to transform your office into a winter wonderland. 

From artificial Christmas trees to stunning wreaths and garlands, you’ll find high-quality foliage products that you can keep decorating with for years. 

Put the finishing touches on the office tree and add colourful accents with our range of decorations. Explore our leading range of Christmas lights to brighten up your space with a magical glow. 

Still unsure where to start? Our friendly elves are always happy to provide decorating advice and product recommendations; just contact us! 

Finally, if you’re worried your decorating skills will turn your office into a nightmare on 34th Street, why not hire a local company, like a florist or event decorator, to lend a helping hand? This can be a cost-effective option that works wonders for your local community.