22 shop front decorating ideas for the holidays

The holidays are right around the corner – if you’re looking to boost your holiday sales this year, consider drawing your customers in with a new, eye-catching, festive shop front display. Your shop front is what attracts customers to your business and gives the first impression, so it’s important to display your products effectively. 

In this guide, draw inspiration from these 22 shop front decorating ideas and helpful tips to make your display as successful as possible. 

Types of holiday shop fronts 

22 holiday shop front decorating ideas 

Tips for a captivating holiday shop front display 

Benefits of holiday shop front decorations  

Types of holiday shop fronts 

There are many different types of holiday shop fronts that shops of all kinds have tried out to help boost their foot traffic. Below are the most popular decoration displays that you can consider for your business. 

Corner window  

A corner window display sits at the corner of your shop front where two windows come together. These types of displays are great for attracting customers from multiple angles and showcasing products from more than one side. 

Best for: Small businesses that have larger products to showcase and want to create a sense of depth.

Shadow box window 

Shadow box window displays are the smallest version of window displays and are great for showcasing products that are petite and detailed. These are typically box-shaped windows that usually have room for two people to view at once. 

Best for: Small businesses that sell jewellery, cosmetics, or other small products. 

Closed window 

Closed window displays have a screen or wall behind them that separates the display from the rest of the shop. These can be a permanent addition to your business, or you can have them temporarily installed for a specific promotion or for the holiday season. 

Best for: Small businesses who want all of the customers’ attention solely on the products within the display, rather than the rest of the store. 

Open window 

Open window displays allow your customers to see straight into your shop – there are no walls or screens behind the display. Customers are able to see the activity going on inside the shop, so it’s important to create continuity between your display and the rest of the shop, as well as keep your shop clutter-free. 

Best for: Shops with a high level of interior design, in-store experiences, visual merchandising campaigns 

22 holiday shop front decorating ideas 

Ready to get started but need some inspiration to help guide you? Keep reading for these 22 holiday shop front decoration ideas to help you attract customers this season. 

1. Digital display  

Incorporate a digital sign installation into your shop front window. A digital sign can add a little extra to your holiday display. Plus, a moving screen showcasing products you offer, or information helps catch the eyes of customers and influences them to come into your shop. 

2. Festive string lights   

Lighting is an essential component of a shop front display. Add some twinkle lights that change colour throughout the day or get string lights that have adjustable brightness depending on the mood you’re going for. 

In addition to string lights, you can also consider light-up signage with your brand name for some extra attention.  

3. Chalk paint   

Get creative with chalk paint that you can draw right onto your window. Consider drawing your own holiday design or let people know there’s a sale going on with DIY chalk paint signage.  

Tip: Create a message that entices customers to come inside. For example, if it’s hot outside, you can write something like “Come in, it’s cool inside!” 

4. Frosted windows 

To create the ultimate snowy scene for your window display, incorporate frosted windows. A frosted window can create the perfect viewing point for the rest of your display. 

To create the frosted window look, you can use frosted glass spray paint that can usually be found at any craft store. Complete the snowy look with snowball garland and fake snow.  

5. Garland

Garland is always a classic way to decorate for the holidays. Some creative ways to use garland for your display include: 

• Marshmallows for a snowy scene 
• Candy canes 
• Felted wool for snowballs 
• Ornaments 

You can even turn one of your products into garland material. Hang your garland around the perimeter of your window or wrap it around another element.  

6. Oversized ornaments 

Create a shop front look with oversized ornaments. You can use a disco ball or anything from your storage that can be used as a holiday ornament. If you prefer the DIY route, you can take old toy balls and spray paint them to whatever colour you like and hang them from the ceiling.  

7. Gift boxes

Use holiday-wrapped gift boxes in your shop front display to add some variety. These can serve as great display stands for your products, and you can stack them to create some height. 

8. Holiday trees   

Create a tree out of your products. For example, if you’re a small business that specialises in the outdoors, you could create a tree made out of skis or another type of athletic equipment.  

9. DIY snowflakes  

Cut out snowflakes to help create a winter wonderland display. This fun craft is easy to do and can be more sustainable and cheaper than purchasing factory-made materials. 

You can also get creative and create snowflakes out of your own products. For example, if you’re a retail business, you can attach clothing hangers together into a snowflake shape.  

10. Wooden crates 

Wooden crates in your shop front can help create varying heights for displaying your products and can hold different items. They’re also versatile, so you can alter them or paint them to your liking. 

Tip: Consider using them for a cozy and rustic country-inspired holiday shop front display.  

11. Gingerbread houses  

Gingerbread houses are a holiday favourite. Create several different kinds of houses to draw customers in – you can even make a gingerbread house that resembles your own store. 

12. Holiday mannequins   

If you’re a retailer, consider dressing your mannequins up in festive holiday gear and using them to help tell your display’s story. In addition to the mannequins, add a holiday backdrop to help set the scene. 

13. Faux fireplace  

Create a fireplace scene to help draw people in with its cosiness. This rustic and warm display can be created with dry logs and tree branches. To get extra creative, you can consider adding flameless candles to help mimic the look of fire or use a digital screen. 

14. Gift bags   

Get into the holiday spirit by adding some already-done-up gift bags to your setup. Get brightly coloured and festive gift bags and stuff them with bright tissue paper. This fun design can be a perfect accent to other elements on your display.  

15. QR code   

Add a QR code as an element in your display that customers can scan for a discount on a product. For example, you can: 

• Add a code to your digital display.
• Place a sticker on the window itself.

In addition to giving customers information about sales, QR codes can also help direct them to your business’s social media platforms or online shop. 

16. Holiday music  

Attract customers with sound - while not a tangible decoration, adding holiday music to your window display can be a unique way of setting your display apart. 

17. Gift cards   

If you want to promote your new holiday gift cards, consider adding them to your shop front and place them in a fun design. You can even hang gift cards from string as garland decor. 

18. DIY snow globe  

Make your shop front look like it’s inside a snow globe -there’s no better way to catch the eye of customers and passersby during the holidays than by creating a giant snow globe in your window. 

To achieve this look, use frosted glass spray paint and create a circular focal point, then fill your background display with other festive elements.  

19. Nutcrackers  

To get into the holiday spirit, add some nutcrackers to your window display. For example, if you’re a retail store, use large nutcrackers instead of mannequins to model clothes or pose with certain products. 

20. Windowsill houses   

Liven up your window display with some holiday-themed houses. Place these right on the windowsill or spread them throughout the other elements you choose to include in your display. 

Take these windowsill houses a step further and add lighting to them to create a cosy touch. 

21. All-white decor 

For a clean and crisp look, consider an all-white theme for your shop front display. This look will be sure to have your customers dreaming of a white Christmas this season. 

22. Virtual reality try-on  

For a more modern approach to your holiday shop frontt display, consider incorporating virtual reality try-on options for your products. This can be in the form of a headset that lets customers try on things like outfits or jewellery. 

Tips for a captivating holiday shop front display  

Looking to get a head start on your holiday shop front this year? Here are several helpful tips to keep in mind when crafting your holiday shop front and setting your small business up for success. 

Ensure you know who your target audience is  

Making sure you know who your target audience is and what kind of customers you attract is essential in figuring out the direction of your shop front. Consider asking yourself these questions: 

• What would spark interest in current customers?
• What kind of new customers do you want to attract? 
• What will current and potential customers benefit from the most? 
• What are the needs of my current and potential customers?

Aim to tell a story 

Telling a story with your shop front display can help you achieve uniqueness and set yourself apart from competitors. A shop front window that has a story or background to it can evoke feelings in your customers and potentially make them feel closer to your brand. 

Place items you’re promoting at eye level 

When placing products and items at your shop front, you’ll want to make sure that these items are at eye level. Having your items at eye level helps guide the customers towards what you want them to see and can help draw them into the shop. 

Showcase your range of offerings  

A shop front window display is your chance to show your customers what you can offer them and the variety you have. You can use elements and items from different categories and departments to form a display that’s nice and cohesive. 

Make sure it’s well-lit 

What’s the point of putting together a holiday shop front if your customers can’t see it well? Make sure the space is well-lit -both during the day and night. Consider adding string lights or even fun lamps to warm up the space. 

Avoid clutter  

Although having a wide range of products in your shop front is great at showcasing your range, having too many can actually clutter the space and create confusion. Aim to keep your space clean and to the point without giving away all of your best assets at once. 

Include technology 

In a digital-first world, it could be very beneficial to add technology components to your holiday shop front. This could include: 

• A sign next to a product line with a QR promo code. 
• Touchscreens that a customer can use to learn more about a service or a product. 
• Incorporating an aesthetic “selfie wall” with a hashtag, so customers are encouraged to take a picture and post it on social media. 
• Virtual try-on capabilities. 

Mix up the display frequently  

Mix up your shop front to provide something visually different for people to look forward to. Consider switching it each year, or switch from an autumn display to a winter one. You can also keep customers updated on your shop front decor changes by taking a photo and posting it on social media. 

Benefits of holiday shop front decorations 

There are many benefits to decorating your shop front for the holidays, including taking advantage of the easy advertising ideas it creates. This also includes: 

• Boost brand awareness: Creating a holiday shop front can draw further awareness to your brand and can also help your business connect with the community, especially if you have an interactive display. 
• Increase foot traffic: Having a festive shop front can draw attention and make people want to come in and check out your business. This can lead to new customers.  
• Promote sales and offers: A holiday shop front is an ideal place to showcase new products, sales, and offers and can get people excited about holiday shopping. 

Stand apart from the competition: A fun and holiday shop front can help you stand out from the crowd and push customers to your business rather than others – not to mention the opportunity to build your brand further. 

Drive sales with your holiday shop front 

The holidays are an ideal time to create an experience that draws customers into your shop and leaves them walking out with a lasting impression. With these shop front decorating ideas and tips, you can craft a unique and festive display that customers will love this holiday season. 

In addition to your holiday shop front, sell gift cards to help make more sales. To simplify how customers pay you during the crazy holiday rush, take advantage of a payment processing solution like QuickBooks.

Visit the QuickBooks Holiday Hub for more resources to help you prepare for and have a successful holiday season.