Christmas Mailbox Decor: 13 Easy Ideas That Make Neighbors Stop and Stare
Christmas mailbox decor is the sweetest little way to share holiday cheer with everyone who drives down your street. Your porch gets all the attention, but the mailbox is the first thing neighbors, friends and delivery drivers see. It is also the one spot most people forget, so a little garland, a big bow or a tiny tree out there really stands out. Better still, these projects are cheap and quick, and most use things you already have in the holiday bins. A few easy rules keep everyone happy: follow the official mailbox guidelines, never block the door, the flag or the slot, and use battery LED lights only, with no cords running to the curb. Grab your gloves and a cup of something warm, because your mailbox is about to become the star of the block..
Christmas Mailbox Decor That Turns the Post Into a Tree
This is the idea that has been everywhere online this season. A simple wire cone slips over the mailbox post and gets wrapped with garland and battery fairy lights, so the whole post looks like a little Christmas tree holding the box. One video of this trick by Marina Ivanova pulled more than 74,000 reactions. It looks amazing at night when the lights glow on the snow, and it takes less than an hour. Ready to make yours the brightest box on the street..
You will need: A tomato cage or wire cone, faux pine garland, a battery LED fairy light strand with a timer, zip ties, a small star or bow for the top.
How to make it: 1. Flip the tomato cage upside down and tie the legs together at the top to make a cone, then open it around the post. 2. Wrap the garland around the cone from bottom to top and zip tie it in place. 3. Weave in the battery lights, set the timer and add a bow on top below the box.
Christmas Mailbox Decor With a Garland Wrapped Post
The easiest Christmas mailbox decor of all is a fresh or faux garland wrapped around the post. Start at the bottom and spiral up, then let a little extra drape over the top of the box. Tuck in a few pine cones, red berries or tiny ornaments for color. It looks full and festive from the road and takes about ten minutes. If you use real greenery, mist it now and then so it stays green longer. Do you prefer real pine or faux?
You will need: A 9 foot faux or fresh garland, floral wire or zip ties, pine cones, faux berry picks, small shatterproof ornaments.
How to make it: 1. Tie one end of the garland to the bottom of the post. 2. Wrap it upward in a loose spiral and secure it every foot with wire. 3. Wire in pine cones, berries and ornaments, keeping the box door and flag clear.
A Big Velvet Bow on the Post
Sometimes all you need is one big, beautiful bow. A red velvet bow with long tails tied to the post right under the mailbox looks classic and elegant, like something from a holiday card. Choose wired ribbon so the loops keep their shape in wind and snow. Let the tails hang down the sides of the post. It is a two minute project that makes the whole curb feel dressed up, and it may be the most classic Christmas mailbox decor of all. Would you choose classic red or a deep green velvet?
You will need: About 3 yards of wide wired velvet ribbon, floral wire, scissors, a zip tie.
How to make it: 1. Make four big loops of ribbon and pinch them in the middle. 2. Wrap floral wire tightly around the center and cover it with a small ribbon loop. 3. Zip tie the bow to the post just under the box and let the tails hang down.
Christmas Mailbox Decor Made to Look Like a Present
Turn the whole mailbox into a wrapped gift. Wrap waterproof vinyl or outdoor fabric around the box, add wide ribbon in a cross, and finish with a huge bow on top. Bright red with gold ribbon or white with red stripes both look cheerful from far away. Make sure the door still opens freely and the flag can move, so your mail carrier can do their job. Kids love this one and it looks great in photos, which is why it is a favorite Christmas mailbox decor idea for families. What color paper would you pick for your box?
You will need: Red outdoor vinyl or oilcloth fabric, wide waterproof ribbon, strong double sided outdoor tape, a large bow, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut the vinyl to fit over the top and sides of the box, leaving the door free. 2. Tape it in place along the bottom edges. 3. Add two strips of ribbon in a cross and attach the big bow on top.
A Gingerbread House Mailbox Cover
This one makes everyone smile. Dress the mailbox as a gingerbread house with brown felt or vinyl, white paint pen icing lines and big foam candy buttons. Add a roof of white trim that looks like frosting and a few peppermint swirls on the sides. It is sweet, silly and perfect for families with little ones who love Christmas baking. Keep everything off the door edges so the mail still goes in easily. Which candy would you put on the roof?
You will need: Brown outdoor felt or vinyl, white outdoor paint pen, white foam or felt trim, foam peppermint and gumdrop shapes, outdoor glue.
How to make it: 1. Cut brown felt for the sides and roof and glue it on, leaving the door edges clear. 2. Draw icing swirls and scallops with the white paint pen. 3. Glue on the trim and candy shapes and let it all dry well.
An Evergreen Swag Below the Flag
A swag is a small bundle of evergreen branches tied together at the top, like a wreath that hangs straight down. Hang one on the side of the mailbox, just under the flag, and it looks graceful and natural. Add a few pine cones, a sprig of berries and a small velvet ribbon. Make sure the flag still moves freely and does not catch on the branches. This kind of Christmas mailbox decor feels rustic and classic at the same time. Would you use pine, cedar or eucalyptus?
You will need: Five or six evergreen branches, floral wire, pine cones, berry picks, a short velvet ribbon, a zip tie.
How to make it: 1. Lay the longest branches at the back and shorter ones in front. 2. Wire the stems together tightly at the top and add the pine cones and berries. 3. Tie the ribbon over the wire and zip tie the swag to the side of the box below the flag.
Christmas Mailbox Decor With a Candy Cane Post
Give your post the look of a giant candy cane. Wrap a strip of red ribbon or outdoor tape around a white post in a neat spiral, and it reads as a peppermint stick from the road. If your post is wood, you can paint the stripes for a longer lasting look. Add a little bow at the top and you are done. It is one of the cheapest ideas here and looks especially fun with snow on the ground. Will you go classic red or green stripes?
You will need: A white post or white wrap, wide red outdoor ribbon or red outdoor tape, a small bow, scissors.
How to make it: 1. If the post is not white, wrap it in white outdoor fabric first. 2. Tape the ribbon end at the bottom and wind it up in an even spiral. 3. Secure the top and add a small bow just under the box.
Christmas Mailbox Decor With a Snowman Face
A round snowman face on the front of the box is pure joy. Wrap the mailbox in white outdoor fabric, then add two coal black felt eyes, a carrot nose and a smile of black dots. A knit scarf tied around the post and a little felt hat on top finish the look. Kids can help cut the shapes, which makes it a nice family project. Keep the wrap on the sides and top so the door opens normally. What name would you give your mailbox snowman?
You will need: White outdoor fabric or vinyl, black and orange felt, outdoor glue, an old knit scarf, a small felt hat.
How to make it: 1. Cover the top and sides of the box with white fabric and glue it in place. 2. Cut out eyes, a carrot nose and dots for a smile and glue them on the side facing the street. 3. Tie the scarf around the post and set the hat on top.
A Mini Wreath on the Side
A small wreath on the side of the mailbox is simple, classic and very pretty. Choose one about ten to twelve inches wide so it fits nicely and does not catch the wind. Add a plaid ribbon or a sprig of berries for color. It is one of those Christmas mailbox decor touches that makes the whole house feel welcoming. For more wreath inspiration, take a look at our Christmas wreaths ideas. Would you make your own or dress up a plain one?
You will need: A 10 to 12 inch faux wreath, a plaid ribbon, a berry pick, zip ties or an outdoor adhesive hook.
How to make it: 1. Tie the ribbon in a bow at the bottom of the wreath and wire in the berry pick. 2. Hold the wreath against the side of the box away from the flag. 3. Fasten it with zip ties through the post bracket or an outdoor hook.
A Pine Cone and Berry Cluster on Top
For a natural, woodland look, create a cluster of pine cones and red berries on top of the mailbox. Wire them onto a small piece of garland so they stay together, then fasten it all on top. Spray the pine cone tips white for a frosted touch. It looks like something you would find at a mountain cabin. This Christmas mailbox decor costs almost nothing if you collect the pine cones on a walk. How many pine cones can you find this week?
You will need: A short piece of faux garland, eight to ten pine cones, berry picks, floral wire, white craft paint, zip ties.
How to make it: 1. Dab white paint on the pine cone tips and let them dry. 2. Wire the cones and berries onto the garland piece. 3. Zip tie the cluster on top of the box, away from the door and flag.
Sleigh Bells on the Post
There is something magical about the sound of bells in December. Hang a strap of sleigh bells or a bundle of jingle bells from the mailbox post so they ring softly in the wind. Every time you get the mail, you hear a little Christmas music. Tie them with a red ribbon or a strip of leather for an old fashioned look. It is a sweet bit of Christmas mailbox decor and a nice surprise for the mail carrier too. Would you like a soft jingle or a big loud ring?
You will need: A strap of sleigh bells or several large jingle bells, red ribbon or a leather strip, a zip tie, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Thread the bells onto the ribbon or leather strip. 2. Tie the strip in a loop around the post just below the box. 3. Add a bow over the knot and trim the ends.
Reindeer Antlers and a Red Nose
Want to make the kids on the bus laugh? Turn the mailbox into a reindeer with a pair of felt or foam antlers on top and a big red pom pom nose on the front corner. Two googly eyes on the side complete the look. It takes about fifteen minutes and makes your mailbox the friendliest on the street. Use outdoor glue or strong zip ties so the antlers stay put in wind. Will yours be Rudolph or one of his friends?
You will need: Brown foam or felt antlers, a large red pom pom or foam ball, two big googly eyes, outdoor glue, zip ties.
How to make it: 1. Attach the antlers on top of the box near the back with zip ties or glue. 2. Glue the red nose on the front corner without blocking the door. 3. Add the eyes on both sides and let the glue set.
A Cardinal and Birch Log Planter at the Base
Finish the look from the ground up. A small planter at the base of the post filled with evergreen clippings, birch logs, red berries and a little cardinal looks lovely in snow. Cardinals are a favorite winter symbol, and that pop of red against the white birch is gorgeous. It ties all your Christmas mailbox decor together like a little holiday scene. Keep the planter out of the path of snowplows and the mail carrier. Which bird would you add to your scene?
You will need: A weatherproof planter or crate, potting soil or sand, evergreen clippings, two or three birch logs, berry picks, a faux cardinal.
How to make it: 1. Fill the planter with soil or sand to hold everything upright. 2. Push in the birch logs at the back and the greens around them. 3. Add berry picks and clip the cardinal onto a log at the front.
