Christmas is an exciting time of year for churches. It’s a chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and reflect on its meaning for humanity. With more visitors and higher attendance during the holiday season, thoughtful Christmas decor in the church can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.

Decorating the church campus is great for welcoming long-time church members and guests. As church leaders begin planning Christmas services and events, we’d like to make the decorating tasks a bit easier.

Here are several ways to decorate your church for the Christmas season:

#1 - Outdoor signs

Spread holiday cheer and welcome attendees to Christmas services with a large church banner as they enter the parking lot. We have a variety of Christmas-themed design options you can use to promote a special Christmas Eve service or other Christmas events.

#2 - Yard signs

Post Christmas yard signs around the campus to add some festive cheer. Consider ordering yard signs with your church’s logo and service times displayed for members to place in their yards. These signs can help spread the word about the church and provide a simple conversation starter for people to invite their friends and neighbors to Christmas church services.

#3 - Photo Backdrops

Place a backdrop banner in the main lobby for convenient Christmas-themed photo ops. Help families get a great Christmas picture and share those memories for years to come.

#4 - Table throws

Use a few Christmas table throws to simplify your decorating efforts. We have several Christmas designs; you can customize one to fit your church’s needs. These are great for coffee bars, side tables, welcome centers, Christmas events, and more. 

A few candy canes, pine cones, a few sprigs of Christmas greenery, or a mini tree can all add a nice decorative touch to tables throughout the church.

#5 - Stage decorating ideas

Add to your sanctuary stage decor with one of our Christmas banner collections. From tension displays to retractable and more, we have a variety of designs and sizes that can make decorating for Christmas a breeze.

#6 - Kids Ministry

Don’t forget to decorate the children’s ministry areas, including children’s check-in. You could use a Christmas-themed table throw for the children’s check-in table. A few wall banners can add Christmas colors and help tell the nativity story. We also have a church Christmas banner you can use to illustrate the story of Jesus' birth for children.

In addition to these banner options, here are a few other Christmas decor church ideas:

#1 - Add Christmas greenery

Hang a traditional wreath on the church's front door and on doors to the main sanctuary can add an elegant touch. Include poinsettias and other Christmas greenery on the main stage or near the pulpit. Decorate a Christmas tree in the main lobby and another Christmas tree near children’s check-in for everyone to enjoy.

Try adding candy canes to Christmas tree decorations and invite people to take a candy cane to enjoy. Place ornaments on the trees that match the overall decor of that particular space or add a personal touch. Help kids make ornaments or other Christmas tree decorations and then place them on the Christmas trees in the kids' areas.

#2 - Display a nativity scene

Share the Christmas message with a nativity set on the church’s front lawn for those driving by to see. Make sure this holiday display is well-lit at night as well. You could also place a few smaller nativity sets in strategic locations inside the church building, such as the main lobby.

#3 - Incorporate Christmas lights

Make the whole campus festive with Christmas lights around the building and certainly at the main entrance. String lights to any greenery on the main stage and, of course, on the Christmas trees. Children and grown-ups alike will enjoy the twinkling lights.

#4 - Encourage generosity

Many churches choose to spread some holiday cheer by designating one Christmas tree as the church's giving tree. Work with a local charity or otherwise identify families within the church who could use some help this Christmas. Gather a list of potential gifts for each family (or individual) and place those as paper ornaments on the tree.

Invite church members to adopt a family, purchase gifts from the list, and place them in designated areas at the church. Then, deliver those gifts to the families the week before Christmas. This is a wonderful way to bring joy to those in need and to those who are able to give generously.

While Christmas brings a longer to-do list for church staff, decorating for the holiday doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Use a few of these Christmas decor church  ideas to create a festive environment for everyone to enjoy the season.