Decorating Your Workspace for the Holidays

‘Tis the season to be extra stressed and overworked because everyone is in and out of the office taking vacation days and celebrating holidays so there’s even less time in the week to get work done. Or something like that. You do have a chance, however, to be a little pocket of brightness amongst your harried co-workers: Decorations.

It’s scientifically proven that having nice things to look at in the workplace improves productivity, which means your holiday decorations can actually help you and your co-workers get more done with less time. At least that’s what I’m getting out of it. In addition to dolling up your space, some decoration projects allow your co-workers to participate, like the gratitude wall or canned food statue (both are explained below). These types of decorations encourage workplace comradery and help foster a positive work culture.  

With all these positives and absolutely no negatives, what’s not to love? The only problem is deciding how to decorate. I’ve compiled a few ideas of how to make your space a little more festive.

Wreaths

Wreaths are classically cheery, and with the many options available out there-especially if you DIY-you can’t go wrong. There are tutorials for autumn-themed wreaths, and every type of post-Thanksgiving holiday imaginable. I recommend staying away from Martha Stewart’s tutorial because, well, it’s insanely hard. That woman is a crafty genius; I am not.              

Window clings

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Whether you got lucky and have an office or a cubicle with a window or a little bit of glass somewhere in your cubicle, stick a few snowflakes or autumn leaves up. They’re always fun, and always crowd-pleasers. I bought mine from Target for two dollars (a fact I tell everyone who comments on them), but you can also make your own.

Gratitude wall

This one is my personal favorite. The holidays are the time of year when being cheerful and giving thanks for good fortune are encouraged. Why not use that for your workspace and create a gratitude wall? The idea is for co-workers to write down what they’re thankful for this season and put it up on a communal wall. It could be pinning a card to a corkboard, writing on a community whiteboard or sticking post-its to the outside of your cubicle. Plus, with how stressed your co-workers likely are between work projects and visiting family, this is a nice reminder to stop and recognize the good in life.

Lights

A string or two of multicolored fairy lights can be a cute addition to your workspace. Try taping them in a design to the front of your door, or stringing them along the top of your cubicle. Just make sure they don’t blink, please. Blinking lights make me motion sick, and I know I can’t be the only one.

A bowl of fruit

Okay, stay with me on this one because it’s a bit of a stretch, but has the potential to be really fun and cute. You can decorate the bowl to be more holiday-themed by, say, hot gluing tinsel to the edges. Then, inside, arrange apples and cinnamon sticks. Or oranges and fake autumn leaves. Trust me, your co-workers will thank you for having a healthy alternative to the normal candy bowls the Monday after they eat their weight in pumpkin pie and turkey.  

Canned food

Finally, since it is the season for giving back, start a canned food drive. The decoration comes when you make shapes out of the cans donated by your co-workers. You can decorate the box you want everyone to leave their cans in, or form a Christmas tree out of the cans. It’ll be fun to look at while the collection process is happening, and you’ll end the season knowing you gave back to those in need.

However you decide to decorate your space this holiday season- if you decide to decorate at all-have fun with it. Don’t get caught up with what someone else’s cubicle looks like, or if your wreath looks a little wonky towards the bottom. I guarantee no one will notice or care. Your co-workers will just be grateful they have something new and fun to look at.