Now that it’s November, holiday season is fast approaching. One fun way to get into the holiday spirit when living away from home is to decorate your dorm room! Holiday decorations can be fun to make and set up, cute to look at, and a nice way to switch up your dorm aesthetic. Here are thirteen simple decorating ideas to make your dorm room a little more festive this holiday season.
1. Hang up snowflake chains. They’re simple, cost effective, and easy to make!
2. Make your door look like a giant present by covering it with wrapping paper. I’ve found it works best to use multiple sheets of wrapping paper horizontally across the front of your door. If you’re not allowed to wrap your door, you can decorate your closet doors, wrap the legs of your bed, and even cover the drawers and sides of your dresser.
3. Hang up Christmas lights or tinsel garlands. They’re so pretty that you can use them as decorations year-round!
4. Get a mini-Christmas tree! If you celebrate Hanukkah, get a mini-Menorah! If you want to decorate for the winter but not a specific holiday, buy or make a mini-snowman. Here’s an easy way to make a mini-snowman using socks and rice.
5. Decorate with candy canes! You can hang them on anything, including a mini-Christmas tree, tinsel garlands, or just by themselves.
6. Hang Santa hats (or elf hats, or reindeer hats, etc.) from hooks on your wall or on a coat rack, if you have one.
7. Hang up stockings. If you don’t own stockings, hang up your most brightly patterned, fun socks. Or stick to a color theme and coordinate with the rest of your decorations!
8. Get some hot chocolate. Although not typically used for decorating, you can make your own mix here, and keep a jar out as a cute decoration. Plus hot chocolate is a winter dorm room staple, especially during Pittsburgh winters.
9. Buy holiday-scented air fresheners. While not a decoration, the scent of sugar cookies or apple cinnamon can get you in the holiday mood. Let’s face it: every college dorm room needs an air freshener on hand, so why not pick up a festive one?
10. Get an advent calendar! You can buy one, or craft your own. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can make a countdown calendar to the end of the semester and reward yourself for surviving your exams. Here is a list of DIY advent calendars, for inspiration.
11. If you already have a whiteboard or chalkboard in your room, decorate it with themed images—such as a snowman.
12. Buy some poinsettias. They’re gorgeous, as well as perfect for celebrating Christmas.
13. Decorate your window with festive stickers! Here are some snowflake decals you can buy from Amazon.