The front door always sneaks up on you, right at the end, when you are already tired of decorating. You step outside, look back at the house, and realise the door still looks a bit plain. Simple Christmas front door decorations really can be quick, cheap, and kind of thrown together, in a good way. Think small changes you can do in 10 to 30 minutes, using mostly what you already have.
Below I have listed 18 simple Christmas front door decorations that are affordable and that can be done in no time!
1 | Big Simple Door Bow
Instead of wrapping the whole door, just add one oversized bow and call it a day.
It instantly looks festive without you wrestling with rolls of paper or perfectly straight lines.
You can use wired ribbon so it holds its shape and does not flop around.
How to do it
- Grab a roll of wide wired ribbon and a smaller piece for the bow.
- Cut a long strip and run it vertically down the middle of the door, taping or using removable hooks at the top and bottom.
- Make a big bow with another piece of ribbon, fluff out the loops with your fingers.
- Attach the bow where the vertical ribbon meets the top third of the door, using tape or a command hook.
- Step back, tweak the loops a bit, and leave it, even if it is a tiny bit crooked.
2 | Hanging Lanterns With Battery Candles
If you have a little space beside the door, a couple of lanterns make everything feel more put together.
They do not need to match or be fancy, old ones from the shed are fine.
Pop in battery candles so you do not have to think about them again.
It feels homely at night without looking over the top.
How to do it
- Find two lanterns or even glass jars with handles.
- Wipe off any dust or cobwebs so they look half decent.
- Drop a battery candle or a small string of lights into each one.
- Place them on either side of the front door or both on one side if space is tight.
- Turn the timers on if they have them, and forget about them until January.
3 | Quick Evergreen Swag For The Door Handle
A full wreath can feel like a project, a little swag is more like a five minute job. You just bundle some greenery and tie it together, nothing complicated. It looks relaxed and kind of thrown together, in a good way. My mom used to do this with whatever branches were left after trimming the tree. It smells amazing every time you open the door.
How to do it
- Cut or gather a few small branches of evergreen, about the length of your forearm.
- Lay them on a table, fanning them slightly so the tips point downward.
- Tie them tightly together at the top with twine or ribbon.
- Add a small bow over the tie if you want a bit of colour.
- Hang the bundle from the door handle or a hook using the twine loop.
4 | Simple Garland Around The Doorframe
One strand of garland around the frame looks like you really tried, even if you did it in ten minutes. Y
ou can use faux garland you already own, or a cheap one from last year’s box.
It does not need to be fluffed perfectly, just enough so it does not look flat.
How to do it
- Take one long strand of garland and gently shake it out.
- Fix a removable hook at each top corner of the doorframe and one in the middle if you need it.
- Hook the garland over the top of the frame, letting it drape slightly.
- Use small bits of tape or extra hooks down the sides if it keeps slipping.
- Tuck in a few old ornaments or bows if you want more colour.
5 | Doormat Swap And Layer
Changing the mat is tiny work but makes the whole area feel updated.
A simple Christmas mat with a short phrase or stripes is enough.
If you want it to look a bit more styled, layer it over a larger plain or plaid mat.
It is one of those quick fixes that quietly pulls everything together.
How to do it
- Pull your everyday doormat away from the door and give the area a quick sweep.
- Lay down a larger flat rug or mat first if you have one.
- Place your Christmas doormat centered on top of it.
- Straighten both layers so they line up with the door.
- Step back and adjust until it looks roughly even, then move on.
6 | Faux Snow Spray On Glass Panels
If your door has glass, fake snow spray instantly makes it look wintry.
You do not have to be artistic, just a frosted edge is enough. If you feel like doing a bit more then you can buy some snowflake stencils online.
It gives that cold morning feeling without actual ice. Wipes off later, which is the best part.
How to do it
- Shake the can of faux snow spray according to the instructions.
- Hold a bit of scrap cardboard along the edges of the glass as a rough guide.
- Lightly spray around the edges and corners of the glass panels, keeping your hand moving.
- Fill in any thin spots with a second quick pass.
- Let it dry for a few minutes, then peel away the cardboard and clean up any drips.
7 | Candy Cane Tape Stripes
You can fake a candy cane door with nothing more than tape.
Use red painter’s tape or washi tape that peels off easily.
It is playful, cheap, and very low commitment.
How to do it
- Wipe the door quickly so there is no dust or grease.
- Cut strips of red tape long enough to reach from one side of the door to the other.
- Stick the strips diagonally across the door, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Press the edges down firmly so they do not curl.
- Add a small bow or sign in the middle if you want a focal point.
8 | Bow On The Door Handle
If you are really low on energy, this one is perfect.
A single neat bow on the handle looks simple but thought out.
It is especially good if you live in an apartment where you cannot stick things on the actual door.
It is a tiny detail that people notice when they walk in.
How to do it
- Cut a length of ribbon, long enough to tie around the handle and still form a bow.
- Wrap the ribbon around the base of the handle.
- Tie a secure knot, then form a bow on top of it.
- Adjust the loops and tails so they sit facing outward.
- Trim the ends of the ribbon at an angle so they look tidy.
9 | Simple Wreath With One Accent
Wreaths do not have to be packed with ornaments.
A basic green wreath with one feature, like a single big bow or a cluster of berries, feels clean and easy.
You get that classic look without fussing over every inch.
How to do it
- Start with a plain wreath, real or fake.
- Choose one accent, like a large bow, a small bunch of ornaments, or a cluster of berries.
- Attach the accent to one side of the wreath using floral wire or twist ties.
- Fluff the greenery a little so it frames the accent.
- Hang the wreath on a hook or over the door using a ribbon loop.
10 | Red Bows On Outdoor Lights
Tying bows onto porch lights is one of the quickest tricks out there. It makes the whole entrance look pulled together in about five minutes.
The bows do not have to be perfect, they look fine even if one loop is a bit bigger.
I have seen this on so many houses and it still works every time. It gives your existing lights a little seasonal job to do.
How to do it
- Cut two or more pieces of ribbon, wide enough to be seen from the street.
- Tie a bow around the neck of each light or around the mounting base.
- Pull and adjust the loops until they are roughly the same size.
- Angle the bows slightly downward so they are easy to see.
- Trim the ends so they do not hang in front of the bulb.
11 | Thrifted Basket Of Greenery
An old basket filled with branches looks effortless in a good way. You can lean it beside the door or hang it if it has a handle.
Last year my friend grabbed a battered wicker basket from a thrift shop and stuffed it with leftover tree trimmings, it looked like something from a small market stall.
It smells fresh when you walk past. No crafting skills required.
How to do it
- Find a basket or sturdy tote you do not mind using outside.
- Line the inside with a plastic bag if the greenery is damp.
- Fill it with evergreen branches, letting some pieces spill over the sides.
- Tuck in a few pinecones or ornaments if you have them.
- Place it beside the door or hang it from a hook by its handle.
12 | Snowflake Window Clings On Glass
Snowflake clings are cheap, reusable, and really simple to stick on.
They look good from both inside and outside when the lights are on.
You do not have to arrange them perfectly, scattered always looks better.
Kids also love doing this, so you can hand the job over and tick “front door” off your list.
It is an easy way to dress up plain glass.
How to do it
- Wipe the glass panels with a cloth so they are clean and dry.
- Peel the snowflake clings off their backing.
- Press them onto the glass in random spots, smoothing out any bubbles.
- Cluster a few near the center and scatter the rest toward the edges.
- Step back and move any that look too crowded.
13 | Cluster Of Hanging Bells Simple Christmas Front Door Decorations
A small bunch of bells on the door gives that soft jingle every time it opens.
It feels festive without blasting music or adding more lights.
You do not need fancy ones, even dollar store bells tied together look fine.
It is simple, light, and takes about two minutes.
How to do it
- Gather three to five bells with loops at the top.
- Thread a piece of ribbon or twine through all the loops.
- Tie them together so they hang at slightly different lengths.
- Knot the top of the ribbon into a loop.
- Hang the loop over the door handle or on a hook near the center of the door.
14 | Crate With Logs And Fairy Lights
If you have a small crate or wooden box, you can turn it into an instant doorstep display.
Old logs or cut branches piled inside look simple and rustic.
Wrap a short string of lights around them and it feels warm and inviting.
I saw this outside a very ordinary house and it made the whole entry feel like a little cabin.
No need for perfect stacking, slightly messy looks better.
How to do it
- Place a crate or sturdy box beside your door.
- Fill it loosely with short logs, branches, or even rolled up brown paper if you have nothing else.
- Wrap a short string of battery fairy lights around and through the pile.
- Tuck the battery pack down the side, out of sight.
- Turn the lights on in the evening and leave the arrangement as is.
15 | Small Potted Tree In A Bucket
A tiny tree in a bucket looks charming without much work.
You can use a real mini tree or a simple fake one. A few lights or one bow is plenty, no need to fully decorate it.
How to do it
- Place a small real or fake tree into a bucket or large pot.
- Wedge it in place with stones, soil, or scrunched up paper so it stands roughly straight.
- Wrap a short string of lights around the tree or tie one bow near the top.
- Pull the bucket close to the door, angled slightly toward the street.
- Adjust the branches a bit so they are not all pointing one way.
16 | Mitten Or Sock Garland
A line of little mittens or socks looks playful and takes almost no effort.
They do not have to match, that is half the charm.
You can use old kids’ mittens that have lost their pair. It is a good way to use random bits you already own and perfect as Simple Christmas Front Door Decorations.
How to do it
- Cut a length of string or twine long enough to span your doorframe or a small section of wall.
- Gather clean mittens or thick socks in any colours you like.
- Clip them onto the twine with small clothespins, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Fix each end of the twine to the wall or frame with removable hooks or tape.
- Let the mittens hang naturally, even if some twist a bit.
17 | Cluster Of Ornaments On One Hook
Instead of covering the whole door, just make one small cluster of ornaments.
It is quick, uses up the odd spare baubles, and looks more interesting than a single one.
You can hang it where a wreath would normally go.
My friend did this with every leftover red ornament she owned and it ended up looking like a little hanging bouquet.
Simple, low cost, and very fast.
How to do it
- Choose five to ten ornaments in similar colours.
- Cut different lengths of ribbon or string and tie one to each ornament.
- Gather all the ribbons together at the top and knot them so the ornaments hang at varied heights.
- Tie the top of the ribbons to a hook or nail on the door.
- Adjust the ornaments so they are not all facing the same direction.
18 | Printable Sign In A Frame
A framed sign is an easy way to fill a blank spot near the door. You can print a simple “Merry Christmas” or any phrase you like in black and white.
Pop it into a frame you already have, no need to buy special art.
One of my neighbours just wrote a message by hand and stuck it behind the glass, and it looked fine.
It gives the entry a small focal point without much effort and is the perfect Simple Christmas Front Door Decorations.
How to do it
- Print or hand write a short Christmas phrase on plain paper.
- Place it into a frame, removing any old picture if needed.
- Wipe the glass so it is free of smudges.
- Set the frame on a small stool, crate, or shelf near the front door.
- Angle it slightly toward the path so people can read it as they walk up.
