Cubicle decorating contests bring out a surprising amount of team spirit. One week everyone is quietly answering emails, and the next there’s a brick fireplace in accounting and a candy shop in HR.
If you want Christmas cubicle decorations that actually win, the secret is a clear theme. Judges remember the cubicle that looks like a place, like a bakery, a workshop, or a cozy living room, much more than one with a little of everything.
These 12 ideas range from full cubicle makeovers to small desk displays you can set up in a lunch break.
How To Win The Cubicle Decorating Contest
- Pick one theme and commit to it. A gingerbread house, Santa’s workshop, or a candy shop reads clearly from across the room.
- Cover the walls first. Wrapping paper, kraft paper, or brick-print paper hides fabric panels and does most of the work in one step.
- Build height. Garland along the top edge, a tall tree, or a roofline above the cubicle makes the space look bigger in photos.
- Use removable tape, binder clips, and T-pins, so nothing damages the panels and teardown takes minutes in January.
1. Brick Wall Fireplace Cubicle
Brick-print paper covers the whole cubicle wall, with a paper fireplace, hanging stockings, a wreath, and a tree covered in ornaments. Real garland with lights runs along the top, and a pile of wrapped boxes sits on the floor.
Why it wins: It looks like a full living room scene, so it photographs well and feels warm the moment someone walks by.
Brick backdrop rolls and paper fireplace sets are cheap and come down flat for next year.
2. Gingerbread Roof Brick Cubicle
The cubicle walls become a brick house, with a gingerbread-style roof edged in cotton snow and tinsel. Poinsettias, a stocking, and more snow at the base finish the cottage look.
Copy the idea: Cut the roof from a large sheet of cardboard, paint scallop lines on it, and edge it with batting so it looks like frosting.
This one takes a weekend of prep, but it is a serious contest contender.
3. Pastel Candyland Cubicle
Pink paper covers every wall, with paper sprinkles stuck all over and a thick hot pink tinsel garland at desk height. Giant gumdrop lights, pastel bottle brush trees, and a lit gingerbread man sit on the overhead shelf.
Budget tip: Cut the sprinkles from colored cardstock with scissors in a few minutes, and stick them on with double-sided tape.
It’s soft and cheerful, which makes a nice change from the usual red and green.
4. North Pole Bakery Cubicle
Kraft paper turns the cubicle into a gingerbread wall, with big candy cane cutouts, green bows, and peppermint swirls. A gingerbread balloon and a North Pole Bakery sign welcome visitors.
Best for: Teams that want a fun, family-friendly theme without spending much, since most pieces are paper and balloons.
5. Pink Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cubicle
A tabletop pink tree is covered in gingerbread ornaments and silver bells, with a pink snowman sign and a Santa mug beside it. A small whiteboard with a holiday message completes the corner.
Small-space tip: Keep the display in one corner of the desk, so your keyboard and monitor stay clear for real work.
Use a whiteboard to change your message each week of December.
6. Tinsel Frame Shelf With Icicles
Gold tinsel outlines the overhead shelf like a picture frame, with cardstock icicles hanging inside and a plush Santa sitting below. A glittery red bow on the corner of the monitor ties it together.
Budget tip: A few strands of tinsel and a sheet of white poster board cost less than $10 for the whole look.
7. Santa's Workshop Shelf
Shipping boxes wrapped in fragile tape are stacked on shelves under a chalkboard Santa’s Workshop sign, with North Pole and North Pole Air Mail signs on either side. Letters to Santa are taped to the fronts of the boxes.
Copy the idea: Save delivery boxes in November, wrap them with red and white tape, and print a few free North Pole signs.
It’s a clever theme for anyone who works in shipping, receiving, or operations.
8. Crinkled Red Foil Wall
Sheets of red metallic foil are crumpled and pinned across a whole wall, creating a shiny backdrop that catches the office lights. It looks dramatic in person and even better in photos.
Why it wins: It covers a big area fast, and you can add ornaments, a wreath, or a name sign on top for a finished look.
Foil is light enough for removable hooks, so it won’t damage panels.
9. Tinsel Garland And Clothesline Cubicle
Red, green, and silver tinsel garland drapes along the top of the cubicle wall, with a tiny clothesline of Santa’s suit, hat, and boots hung underneath. A wooden sleigh and reindeer sits on the desk beside the monitor.
Best for: Offices with stricter rules, since everything stays on the walls and off the work surface.
10. Snowflakes And Mini Tree Shelf
A small tree with red berries, pinecones, and apples sits in a burlap base on the shelf, with big white snowflakes on either side. Red and white tinsel runs across the top, and a berry garland lines the shelf edge.
Small-space tip: A tree under 18 inches tall fits on almost any overhead shelf without blocking the light.
The look is classic and calm, so it works for client-facing desks too.
11. Gnome And Penguin Desk Display
A slim frosted tree in a plaid base stands at the end of the desk, with a glittery gnome, a light-up penguin in a Santa hat, and a tiny knit hat lined up beside it. A felt star ornament hangs from the cubicle wall.
Copy the idea: Group your figurines in odd numbers and vary the heights, so the display looks styled instead of cluttered.
12. Mini Lit Tree And Plush Buddy
A small potted tree with red, green, and white ornaments glows with fairy lights, next to a plush buddy wrapped in colorful string lights. It’s playful, cozy, and very easy to set up.
Best for: Anyone who wants a fun desk without entering the full contest.
Our cozy cubicle decor ideas have more ways to keep the space feeling personal after the holidays.
