5 Tips for Decorating Your Car for Christmas
Written by: Staff Writer | December 15, 2025
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‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread some holiday cheer than by decorating your car for Christmas? Whether you love extravagant decorations or prefer to keep them simple, a little festive spirit goes a long way.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading for Christmas car decoration and safety tips.
1. Start with a plan.
What kind of look are you going for? Traditional and subdued or flashy and over the top? Do some online research to get some Christmas car decorating ideas. Once you’ve decided on a general direction, you can move on to the next step.
2. Choose your materials carefully.
Opt for weatherproof materials that won’t fade or disintegrate in moisture or cold. Also, make sure any strings or ties you use are secure and won’t come undone while you’re driving. You don’t want your decorations flying off and causing an accident!
3. Go easy on the lights.
You may be tempted to go all out and cover your car in twinkling lights, but resist the urge. Too many lights not only can be distracting for other drivers but can also drain your battery quickly. And note that, while decorative lights themselves are perfectly legal, certain types of lights are not. For example, in many states, it’s illegal to drive with red and blue flashing lights, as these colors are reserved for emergency vehicles.
4. Make sure you can see.
You must be able to see out of all your windows, so avoid hanging anything that will obstruct your view. On that note, don’t put anything on the hood or roof of your car that could block your windshield or windshield wipers. Remember: safety first!
5. Get creative!
There are endless possibilities for decorating your car for Christmas. Use your imagination and have fun with it. Just beware that, depending on where you live, there may be ordinances against excessive decoration or having any type of object protruding from your vehicle (which could include things like antenna decorations). Be sure to check your local laws before going all out.
Fun Christmas car decoration ideas
One of the simplest ways to decorate your car for Christmas is with a wreath for cars. You can hang a wreath on your front grille or a small wreath on the back of your rearview mirror. If you want to get really creative, you can even make your own wreath out of garland or tinsel. (Just be sure not to obstruct your view while driving!)
You also can attach holiday-themed magnets to the doors or hood of your car. Whatever decorations you choose, just be sure not to overload your car so that you can still see out all the windows while driving.
Other popular Christmas decorations for cars include simple reindeer antlers and a nose or giant red bows. If you’re traveling with small children, be sure to remove any fragile or breakable decorations they have access to before hitting the road.
Decorating your car for Christmas is a great way to spread some holiday cheer, but it’s important to do so safely. Follow these tips, and you’ll be ready to jingle all the way in no time. Happy decorating!
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