How To Decorate Your Workspace for Christmas and Create a Festive Mood
Thoughtful decor can lift morale and brighten up those special days before Christmas. Explore polished, practical ideas for an open office, a private office, and a home workspace — with on-trend touches you can actually use.
Each idea below comes with clear, real-world suggestions to help you decorate your workspace without spending much time and effort.
Decorating Your Workplace in an Open-Space Office
If you work in an open-space office, don’t overload it with decor. What delights you could distract others. Choose one or two Christmas elements to set the mood for yourself without bothering colleagues. Here are a few ideas that work well:
- A small Christmas tree — a small tabletop tree can be the focal point of your space. Pick a compact style that doesn’t take up much room but instantly creates a holiday atmosphere.
- Themed stationery — ditch your everyday supplies and use festive ones. A notebook with winter illustrations, pens shaped like trees or snowmen, and snowflake sticky notes add a touch of joy to routine tasks.
- A holiday mouse pad — a subtle, low-key accent that won’t dominate the space but keeps Christmas cheer in view.
- A mug with Christmas prints — if your office allows beverages at the desk, use a cheerful holiday cup instead of your regular mug.
- A snow globe — a simple way to take micro-breaks during the day and watch the glitter settle. It gives your eyes a rest, calms the nerves, and lifts your mood.
If your company decorates the whole office, stick to a shared style and the same color palette so the space looks cohesive.
How To Decorate a Private Office
If you’re lucky enough to have a private office, you can add a bit more decor — but still show restraint so your workspace doesn’t turn into Santa’s workshop. Here’s what to consider:
- Evergreen arrangements — place them on a conference table or a shelf. Pick a tasteful mix of fir branches, battery candles, and pinecones.
- A moss tree — a chic alternative to an artificial tree. Preserved moss holds its shape, doesn’t shed, and looks great even without ornaments.
- A neon sign — a playful accent that suits creative roles and bold leaders. It sets the mood without hijacking the workday.
- Holiday posters — simple, graphic prints is a great idea for anyone who likes strong wall visuals.
Small touches also help: a diffuser with a winter scent, or a generous bowl of clementines for everyone who pops in. In an executive office or HR space, you can also set up a designated drop-off area for Secret Santa gifts.
What Is Secret Santa and Why Play in the Office?
Secret Santa is a popular office tradition for anonymous gift exchanges. Every participant becomes a Santa and secretly prepares a present for another player. In the end, everyone enjoys a gift — and the warm feeling of giving.
To make it happen, run a name draw in advance so everyone knows whom they’re shopping for, then set a day for the exchange. Many teams swap presents at the holiday party or on the last workday before the break. Until then, players leave labeled gifts in a themed drop zone in one of the offices, and on the big day each person picks up a surprise from their Santa.
The MySanta service makes it fast and easy to organize. The system automatically pairs participants to prevent mix-ups. No one forgets their recipient — notifications arrive by email or message.
Here are some more advantages of using the MySanta app for your office gift exchanges:
- Anonymous chats between Santa and recipient - ask anything without revealing yourself.
- Unlimited players - whether your company has 20, 50, or 100+ employees, the app sets up a game smoothly and no-one will be left without a gift.
- Track gift delivery - the game organizer can see who bought a gift and who hasn't and send reminders.
- Exceptions - restrain some players from gifting each outer.
Decorating a Home Office
If you work from home, feel free to go bigger and decorate exactly as you like. Garlands, tinsel, ornaments, holiday textiles — here are some inspiring ideas to spark your setup:
- Paper garlands — creative phrases and banner-style garlands are trending. Pick a warm color scheme so they read well on camera.
- Floating candles à la Harry Potter — for fans of the wizarding world and anyone who enjoys whimsical decor. They’ll wow colleagues on video calls — just set the right camera angle.
- LEGO Christmas tree — a playful accent that brings holiday vibes long before Christmas Day and keeps the desk cheerful.
- Festive textiles — add soft pillows with seasonal motifs or a cozy throw with trees or snowflakes for a warm, wintery feel.
- Holiday cards — string them on twine or frame a few on your desk to create a sense of connection and warmth.
If you like to work with background music, build a light Christmas playlist to carry the mood through the day without distracting you.
2026 Trends in Workspace Decor
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the year of the red fire horse — so expect equestrian motifs and warm color stories to show up in holiday styling. Consider these elements to make your work zone feel fresh — and maybe invite a little good luck:
- Horseshoes — as ornaments, garland accents, or small keepsakes for colleagues. Dress them with red ribbon or sprigs of fir so they blend with your other decor.
- Shades of red — a color of energy and verve, perfect for entering a new year. Work in red accents from textiles to stationery, exploring everything from deep burgundy to bright scarlet.
- Tabletop ventless fireplace — a small, decorative bio-ethanol unit adds the “fire” symbolism and a cozy glow. (Use only models designed for indoor tabletop use and follow all safety guidance.)
- Fir wreaths with dried oat stems — classic evergreen wreaths get texture and contrast from pale, delicate oats. Hang them on a wall or use one as a table centerpiece.
Conclusion
As the new year approaches, refresh your space visually — and fill it with warmth and positive energy to support productive work. Let these ideas guide you as you create a unique atmosphere at your desk in the lead-up to the year of the red fire horse.
FAQs
What’s a reasonable budget for Christmas office decorations per desk?
Plan $20–$50 per workstation for a mini tree, lights, and a few accents; set $150–$300 for shared areas like reception or a lounge. If your budget is limited, focus on DIY decor option – think reusable items, LED lights, decor brought from home, and a small stash of neutral winter decor you can bring out every year.
When should we start decorating the office for Christmas?
Most U.S. workplaces begin right after Thanksgiving and aim to finish by the first week of December. This timing keeps decorations up long enough to boost morale without interfering with year-end deadlines or January reset.
How can I make my home-office backdrop look festive on video calls?
Style a beautiful background: one or two strings of warm lights, a 12–18 inch tabletop tree, and a framed winter print. Keep colors coordinated and avoid clutter so your Zoom or Teams background looks polished, not busy.
