Christmas Classroom Door: 16 Easy Ideas Teachers Are Copying for the Holidays

A Christmas classroom door is the first hello your students get every December morning, and it can turn a plain gray hallway into a place kids race toward. Teachers all over the country are planning their door decorating contests right now, and the best ideas are not expensive at all. Most of them use butcher paper, construction paper, cotton balls, a few pom poms and a whole lot of heart. Below you will find 16 cheerful ideas, from a giant wrapped gift to a cozy hot cocoa mug, a book stack tree and a snow globe full of tiny paper houses. Each one comes with a short supply list and simple steps, so you can finish in an afternoon or let your class help. Grab your tape and let’s make that hallway smile..

Christmas Classroom Door Wrapped Like a Giant Gift

Nothing says Christmas faster than a present, and a door wrapped like one is the easiest win on this list. Red paper, two strips of green ribbon and one big bow turn an ordinary door into a gift kids want to open every morning. Add a column of paper snowflakes on each side and the whole hallway feels brighter. It takes about thirty minutes and still looks great when the judges walk by. Would your class guess what is inside the box..

You will need: red butcher paper or wrapping paper, green paper or ribbon, one large red bow, white paper for snowflakes, packing tape

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in red paper and tape the edges tight. 2. Run one green strip down and one across like a ribbon. 3. Attach the big bow where the strips cross. 4. Cut snowflakes and tape a column down each side of the frame.

Gingerbread House Door With Paper Icing

Brown kraft paper looks just like a fresh baked cookie, and that makes a gingerbread house door almost too easy. Cut a peaked roof from the top of the door, trace wavy white icing along every edge and let students cut out gumdrops in every color they can find. A little window with paper icing trim makes it feel like someone lives inside. Want a bonus? Hang a few paper candy canes along the sides. Which candy would your students add first?

You will need: brown kraft paper, white paper, colored construction paper, red and white paper strips for candy canes, glue stick, tape

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in brown paper and add a pointed roof shape at the top. 2. Cut wavy white icing strips and glue them along the roof and edges. 3. Cut circle gumdrops in many colors and stick them on. 4. Add candy canes and a small paper window.

Christmas Classroom Door Snowman Face

A big friendly snowman face is the kind of Christmas classroom door that little ones wave at every single morning. White paper does most of the work. Black circles for eyes and a smile, an orange paper carrot nose and a real knit scarf stretched across the bottom give it that cozy touch. The scarf is the secret: it adds texture that photos love. Got an old scarf in the lost and found box? This is its moment to shine.

You will need: white butcher paper, black and orange construction paper, a real knit scarf, paper snowflakes, tape

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in white paper. 2. Cut two large black eye circles and several small circles for a smile. 3. Roll an orange paper cone for a 3D carrot nose. 4. Tape the scarf across the lower part of the door.

Paper Chain Tree Door

Remember making paper chains as a kid? Turn them into a tree that the whole class builds together. Each student adds a few links, then you drape the chains in rows from narrow at the top to wide at the bottom. A yellow star crowns it all and a chain garland around the frame ties the look together. It is free, it is fun and it doubles as a countdown if kids tear off one link a day. How long would your class chain be?

You will need: green and red construction paper strips, stapler or glue stick, yellow paper star, removable hooks or tape

How to make it: 1. Cut paper into strips about one inch wide. 2. Let students link them into long chains. 3. Tape the chains in rows to form a tree shape. 4. Add a star on top and a chain border around the frame.

Handprint Wreath Door

Every child leaves a mark on this one, and parents always stop to find their kid’s hand. Trace each student’s hand on green paper, cut them out and overlap them in a big circle. A bright red bow at the bottom finishes the wreath, and a pale blue background makes the green really pop. It is one of the sweetest Christmas classroom door ideas because it is truly made by the class. Will you sign the back of each hand?

You will need: light blue paper, light and dark green construction paper, red paper for a bow, pencils, scissors, glue

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in light blue paper. 2. Trace and cut one or two hands per student. 3. Glue the hands in overlapping rings to form a wreath. 4. Add a big red paper bow and a few red paper berries.

Hot Cocoa Mug Door

Who can walk past a giant mug of cocoa without smiling? Make a big red mug from paper, pile cotton balls on top for whipped cream and scatter little white paper marshmallows around it. A striped peppermint stick poking out of the cream is the finishing touch. Teachers love pairing this door with a cozy reading week or a cocoa party reward. It looks warm, it is quick and the cotton balls make it pop off the door. Mini marshmallows or big ones?

You will need: light brown paper, red paper for the mug, cotton balls, white paper squares, red and white paper for a peppermint stick, glue

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in light brown paper. 2. Cut a large red mug and handle and tape them on. 3. Glue cotton balls in a fluffy mound on top. 4. Add white paper marshmallows and a striped peppermint stick.

Candy Cane Stripe Door

When you are short on time, stripes save the day. Wrap the door in white paper, then add bold red strips on a slant so the whole thing looks like a giant candy cane. A green bow with holly leaves in one corner says Christmas right away. This is a perfect choice for a busy week before break, and it photographs beautifully from far down the hall. Do you think your students could keep their stripes straight?

You will need: white butcher paper, red paper strips or red duct tape, green paper for a bow and holly leaves, ruler, tape

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in white paper. 2. Mark diagonal lines about four inches apart with a ruler. 3. Tape red strips along every other band. 4. Add a big green bow and holly leaves in the top corner.

North Pole Mailbox Christmas Classroom Door

This Christmas classroom door actually works. Cut a real slot in a black paper strip, back it with a box on the inside, and kids can post letters and kind notes all month long. A raised red flag and a border of colorful paper envelopes make it look like the mail never stops. It is a lovely way to practice letter writing too. Who do you think your students will write to first?

You will need: red butcher paper, black paper, colored paper for envelopes, a cardboard box for the inside, white paper for snow

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in red paper. 2. Add a black mail slot strip and cut a real opening if you want working mail. 3. Make a red paper flag on the side. 4. Tape paper envelopes around the frame and a white snow strip along the bottom.

Ugly Sweater Door

Ugly sweater day is a school favorite, so why not dress the door too? A green base, rows of felt reindeer, paper snowflakes and red and white pom poms make the classic knit look. A striped collar at the top and striped cuffs at the bottom sell the joke. Students can each add one pom pom or one snowflake, so everyone gets a stitch in it. What would you add to make it even uglier?

You will need: green butcher paper, brown and red felt, white paper snowflakes, red and white pom poms, striped paper for the collar and hem, glue

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in green paper. 2. Glue rows of felt reindeer and paper snowflakes across the door. 3. Add pom pom rows between them. 4. Add a striped collar at the top and a striped hem at the bottom.

Snow Globe Door With a Paper Village

A snow globe door feels like magic, and it is easier than it looks. Cut a huge circle of light blue paper, add a row of tiny paper houses and pine trees along the bottom and pile on cotton batting snow. A gold paper base makes it look like a real globe sitting on a shelf. Students can each design one little house for the village. If you love cut paper projects, our paper snowflake ideas will fill the sky around it. Which house is yours?

You will need: dark blue and light blue paper, colored paper for houses and trees, cotton batting, gold paper, white paper snowflakes

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in dark blue paper. 2. Tape a large light blue circle in the middle. 3. Glue a paper village along the lower edge and add cotton snow. 4. Add a gold base and scatter snowflakes.

Christmas Classroom Door Reindeer Face

Big eyes, tall antlers and a shiny red nose make this Christmas classroom door a hallway superstar. Brown paper covers the door, white paper makes the eyes and a giant red pom pom nose sticks right out at kid height. Traced handprint antlers are another fun twist if you want the class involved. A row of paper bells around the frame adds a jingle feel without any noise. Will your reindeer get a name?

You will need: brown butcher paper, white and black paper, a large red pom pom or red paper circle, brown paper for antlers, yellow paper bells

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in brown paper. 2. Cut large antlers and tape them to the top corners. 3. Add big paper eyes and a smile. 4. Glue on a red pom pom nose and a border of paper bells.

Polar Bear in a Scarf

A polar bear in a cozy plaid scarf works from December all the way through January, so this door earns its keep. Cut a big white bear from paper, wrap a real fabric scarf around its neck and set it on a light blue sky with snowflakes and a paper snow drift. It looks calm and classy, a nice change from all the red and green. Pair it with a winter reading theme or an animal science unit. Does your class love polar bears?

You will need: light blue paper, white paper, a plaid fabric scarf or fabric strip, white paper snowflakes, black marker

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in light blue paper. 2. Draw and cut a large polar bear from white paper. 3. Tape the bear on and wrap the fabric scarf around its neck. 4. Add snowflakes and a snow drift along the bottom.

Christmas Classroom Door Snowflake Window

Navy paper plus dozens of white snowflakes makes a Christmas classroom door that looks like a winter night sky. Every snowflake is different, just like every student, which makes a sweet message for the door too. A silver tinsel border catches the hallway light and makes the whole thing sparkle. This is a great rainy day activity: fold, snip and open, then tape them up. How many snowflakes can your class cut in one afternoon?

You will need: navy blue butcher paper, white copy paper, scissors, silver tinsel garland, tape

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in navy paper. 2. Fold squares of white paper into triangles and cut small shapes along the edges. 3. Unfold and tape snowflakes all over the door in many sizes. 4. Run silver tinsel around the frame.

Student Ornament Tree

This is the door that makes every family feel welcome. Each student decorates one paper ornament with glitter, stickers and paint, then writes their name on the back or front. Hang them all on a big green paper tree, add a gold star on top and you have a class portrait made of ornaments. It is also an easy way to show how unique each child is. Should the teacher add an ornament too?

You will need: green butcher paper, white cardstock ornament shapes, glitter glue, stickers, paint or markers, gold paper star

How to make it: 1. Cover the door in green paper and cut a big tree shape, or cover it in plain paper and add a tree. 2. Give each student an ornament shape to decorate. 3. Add names and tape the ornaments on. 4. Finish with a gold star and a brown trunk.

Christmas Around the World Door

Want a door that teaches as well as it decorates? Build a paper globe and surround it with crafts from holiday traditions around the world: cut paper banners, a folded star lantern, a straw goat, paper poinsettias and a string of folded paper cranes. Each group of students can research one tradition and make its craft. Teachers love sharing ideas like this in the videos that go around every December, like these classroom door decorating clips. Which country would your class pick first?

You will need: blue and green paper for a globe, tissue paper, colored paper, straw or raffia, red and green paper for poinsettias, string

How to make it: 1. Cut a large blue circle and glue on green land shapes. 2. Tape the globe to the door. 3. Have groups make one craft from a different country’s tradition. 4. Arrange the crafts around the globe and hang a garland across the top.

Christmas Classroom Door Book Stack Tree

Our last Christmas classroom door idea is a dream for reading teachers. Stack colorful hardcover books in a circle, getting smaller as you go up, then wrap them with battery fairy lights and top it with a paper star. Set the book tree beside the door and add a paper chain garland and stars around the frame. Add a bean bag and you have a holiday reading nook. Which book would you put right at the top?

You will need: 30 to 50 hardcover books, battery fairy lights, a paper star, green paper chain garland, paper stars, tape

How to make it: 1. Lay the biggest books in a ring on the floor. 2. Stack smaller rings on top, turning each layer a little. 3. Wrap battery fairy lights around the stack. 4. Add a paper star on top and decorate the door frame with garland and stars.