17 Simple Christmas Window Decor Ideas You Can DIY

Look, I’ll be honest with you – there’s something magical about Christmas lights twinkling through a frosted window that makes even the Grinch smile. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to hire a professional decorator or empty your bank account to create the perfect holiday window display.

I’ve spent far too many December evenings standing outside my house, cocking my head like a confused puppy, trying to figure out why my windows looked more “meh” than “a lot.” So this year I’m sharing 17 ridiculously easy DIY ideas that actually work. No fancy tools required, no art degree necessary – just you, some basic supplies and some holiday spirit.

Classic Paper Snowflakes (But Make Them Extra)

Remember making snowflakes in elementary school? Yeah, we’re doing that again, but we’re upgrading the game.

Grab some white paper, fold it up and go to town with the scissors. The key here is to vary the sizes – make some small, some massive and everything in between. I like to tape them at different heights on the window with clear fishing line so they look like they’re actually floating. FYI, adding a small dab of glitter glue to the center makes them catch the light beautifully.

Pro Tip: If you’re feeling fancy, try using parchment paper or vellum instead of plain paper. They are slightly translucent and create this lovely ethereal effect in backlighting.

Faux Snow Spray Magic

Want that “snowed-in cabin” vibe without the frostbite? Faux snow spray is your best friend.

You can create swirls and frost patterns in the corners of your windows that look surprisingly realistic. I learned the hard way that less is more here – my first attempt looked like someone had a very aggressive snowball fight with my window :/

The best part? It peels off easily in January when you’re ready to pretend winter never happened.

Fairy Light Curtains

This one’s almost embarrassingly easy, but the impact? Chef’s kiss.

Hang a string of warm white fairy lights from a string above your windowsill. Let them cascade down like a glowing waterfall. I prefer the warm white over the cool white because they create that cozy, inviting glow rather than the “interrogation room” vibe.

You can also weave them through some greenery or shape them into simple patterns. Just make sure you use battery-powered or USB-powered lights if you don’t have an outlet nearby—learned that lesson after buying three sets of plug-in lights for windows with zero outlets nearby.

Mason Jar Snow Globes

Okay, this one technically sits on your windowsill rather than hanging in the window, but trust me—it counts.

Fill mason jars with:

• Epsom salt (it looks like fresh snow)
• Small plastic Christmas trees or figurines
• Battery-operated tea lights

Arrange a few of these along your windowsill, and suddenly your window has this adorable miniature winter village situation happening. The light from inside makes them glow, especially once it gets dark outside.

Window Clings That Don’t Suck

Not all window clips are created equal – some look cheap and tacky (you know the ones). But if you find quality vinyl decals or even make your own with a Cricut machine, they can look legitimately cool.

I’m partial to simple silhouettes: reindeer, pine trees, snowflakes or even a Santa’s sleigh across the top of the window. The trick is to keep it minimal. One well-placed decal beats twenty chaotic every single time.

Painted Window Art

Ever thought about using your window as a canvas? Because you totally should.

Grab some acrylic paint or window markers and go Picasso on the glass. Simple designs work best: snowflakes, “Merry Christmas” in fancy letters, or even a winter scene. The nice thing about this is that acrylic paint wipes off easily with warm water and a razor blade if you mess up (which I definitely didn’t do three times on my first try…definitely not).

Just remember: tape off your design first if you’re not confident in your freehand skills.

Hanging Ornament Display

This idea always gets compliments, and it’s stupid simple.

Tie clear fishing line to ornaments of various lengths and tape them to the top of the window sill. Use different sizes and colors to match your overall theme. When the light hits them, they sparkle and throw small colorful reflections around the room.

Quick comparison of ornament types:

Ornament Type	Light Reflection	Durability
Glass	Excellent sparkle	Fragile—handle carefully
Plastic	Good shine	Kid-friendly & durable
Wooden	Rustic charm	Very durable

Greenery Garland Frames

Want to bring that fresh Christmas tree smell right to your window?

Frame the window with real or fake pine kirland. I use small command hooks in the top corners and drape the wreath across. Add some berry picks, pine cones, or even small ornaments tied into the greenery. If you use real green (IMO, the smell alone is worth it), just be prepared to vacuum up fallen needles.

Bonus points: weave fairy lights through the garland for extra glow.

Stenciled Frost Patterns

This technique makes you look much more artistic than you actually are – promise.

Buy some lace or stencils and tape them to your window. Then spray them lightly with fake snow spray or dab on some white acrylic paint with a sponge. Remove the stencil, and boom – intricate frost patterns that would make Elsa jealous.

The stencils are reusable too, so you can create matching patterns across multiple windows without repeating the work.

Advent Calendar Window

Turn your window into an interactive holiday countdown!

Make small numbered envelopes or pockets (1-25) and attach them to the window with double-sided tape or suction hooks. Fill them with small treats, notes or activities. Every day someone gets to open the next issue. Kids go absolutely crazy for this, but honestly? I’m 100% here for a daily chocolate surprise too.

Icicle Lights Along the Top

Sometimes the classics are classic for a reason.

Put white or blue icicle lights along the top of the windowsill. They create this lovely dripping effect that mimics actual icicles. I’ve found that the LED versions are brighter and use less energy, plus they don’t heat up like the old bulbs (which once almost melted my curtain – yikes).

Ribbon Candy Cane Stripes

This one’s crafty but rewarding.

Use red and white ribbon (or any color combination you like) to make candy cane stripes diagonally across your window. You can tape them on the inside or outside, depending on the look you want. The ribbon catches light beautifully and adds this fun, whimsical touch without blocking the view too much.

Silhouette Cityscape

Create a winter cityscape silhouette along the bottom of the window using black construction paper or cardboard.

Cut out simple building shapes with windows, add some trees, maybe a church tower. Tape them along the bottom of the window. When you turn on the lights inside your house at night, the silhouette pops against the illuminated background. It’s like having your own little Christmas town right there in your window.

Wreath Centerpiece

Sometimes you just need a classic wreath hanging dead center in your window.

Use a suction hook (they make ones especially strong enough for wreaths now) and hang that beauty up. I like to decorate mine with a big bow, some pine cones and maybe some ornaments. It’s traditional, sure, but traditional works when done well.

Tulle and Lights Combo

Want something soft and dreamy? Tulle is your answer.

Gather white or silver tulle and drape it loosely over your window, then weave fairy lights through it. The tulle diffuses the light and creates this soft, almost cloud-like effect. It is especially pretty in bedrooms or where you want a more romantic, gentle atmosphere.

Window Box Transformation

If you have a window box outside, don’t let it sit empty during winter!

Fill it with:

• Evergreen branches
• Birch logs (they’re trendy and rustic)
• Berry sprays
• Pinecones
• Outdoor fairy lights

This gives your window character from the outside and creates a cohesive look when combined with your indoor decorations.

Painted Wine Bottles as Vases

Last but not least, let’s talk windowsill styling.

Save the empty wine bottles (for decoration purposes, of course), paint them with white, silver or gold paint, and arrange them on the windowsill with some evergreen boughs or Christmas pickings. Add a string of fairy lights behind them for the soft backlight effect. It’s shabby-chic meets Christmas, and I’m all for it.

Bringing It All Together

Here’s the truth: Your Christmas windows don’t have to look like a magazine spread to be special. Pick two or three of these ideas that speak to you, spend an afternoon making them happen, and call it a win.

The point isn’t perfection—it’s to create that warm, inviting glow that makes people slow down as they walk past your house. It’s about looking out of your own window and feeling that little spark of holiday joy. And honestly? If some paper snowflakes and some fairy lights can do it, we’ll already win for Christmas. 🙂

Now grab those scissors and get decorating—your windows are waiting!