25 Festive Ways to Enjoy Christmas in Your Motorhome or Camper

Looking for quick and easy ways to make your motorhome, campervan or caravan feel festive for the Christmas season? Here are some great ideas for you!

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Christmas in a motorhome- the downsides!

One previous Christmas, as I was driving down the M5 to Devon, I heard a weird noise in my motorhome.

Not a normal weird noise like a squeak or a knocking or a rattle- the van makes plenty of those if I don’t pack it properly. This was more of a… whistling sort of sound. One I’d not heard before.

I pulled over at the next rest area and had a good look around the van to see if I could figure it out. Was it coming from a vent hole, or did I leave one of the hatches open (not for the first time!)

One of the huge drawbacks to travelling solo in a van is not having anyone to listen to ‘weird noises’ whilst I concentrate on driving. And, of course, when I stop driving the weird noises stop.

So I didn’t find the cause of the problem until I left the van to use the services… and realised I’d left my Christmas wreath hanging on the outside of the habitation door! It had been clinging on at 65mph by a piece of fraying string- I was amazed it was still there to be honest!

Sadly, it was a little misshapen and the lights had stopped working, so I can’t say it survived the trip.

And it looks like I definitely need to add a new thing to my pre-trip departure checklist- unhook Christmas wreath!

When to decorate your camper for Christmas

I do love decorating the motorhome for Christmas. I have a mini Christmas tree, a lovely garland with lights for over the cab and festive bedding and cushion covers for an instant update. I also have loads of twinkly lights and baubles to make the entire area feel festive and cosy.

However, if you are going to decorate your van, there are a couple of things to decide before you start:

1- Will you be driving/ moving around a lot over the festive period? If so, you possibly don’t want a lot of fiddly decorations which you need to take down and put back up each time.

You also need to:

• Make sure things are secured down or packed away so they don’t move and distract you whilst driving or become an additional danger if you have an accident
• Don’t block your vision while driving with decorations or window stickers
• Remember to remove anything outside before you drive off!
• Remember your motorhome payload– don’t overdo it with festive cheer!

2- If you’re going to be at one place for a while, you can always drive there without decorations, and then put them up when you’re there. This saves any concerns about things falling over/ breaking whilst driving. For this scenario, remember:

• If you want to use candles or wax melts (I love them), don’t go to sleep with a lit candle (and don’t drive with one either!)
• Remember your power constraints. Battery powered lights will work anywhere, whereas things that require mains can only be used when plugged in at a campsite (be sure not to trip the campsite!) For this reason, I mostly use battery-powered lights so I’m not restricted to campsites.

Tips for Christmas vanlife decor

I love making any space I’m in Christmassy and living in the motorhome is no different. Of course, you need to be careful how much and what you buy- it’s very easy to overwhelm a small space.

Christmas Colour Schemes

For me, I have two colour schemes in the motorhome. I have pink and silver in my bedroom/ rear lounge, and gold and red in the cab/ front area (see photo above). I’ve added a few ideas below so you can see how things might fit together.

Making a small space feel Christmassy

Before I lived in a motorhome, I lived on boats for 15 years. I’ve become quite good at making a space feel cosy and festive without being too over-whelming. I’ve shared my favourites above, but here are some step-by-step tips for getting started:

TIP 1- Start with ONE element

A small space can’t handle a lot of different colours and ornaments without feeling overwhelming (although, if that’s what you like, go for it!)

For me, I start with one of two things as the main focal point:

Get a mini Christmas tree

Christmas isn’t the same without a tree, even if you’re in a van. Opt for a small, tabletop Christmas tree that won’t take up much space. Decorate it with lightweight ornaments and LED lights or, even better, buy one already pre-lit and decorated!

Choosing a Christmas Garland for your camper

I love having a garland over the top of the cab- I have a small shelf on my motorhome which is perfect to rest it on. But you can also run a garland down the side of a drop-down bed, over the windows, along the back of the kitchen worktop- wherever you like!

Try to choose a garland which matches the tree (or vice versa!) and choose the length carefully- you don’t want to have to cut it if it’s pre-lit and there’s not a lot of space in a van to double it over!

Step 2- Add in some inside lights

Fairy lights make everything feel magical, especially when it’s dark and cold outside. Hang battery-operated or USB powered fairy lights around the inside of the motorhome for a winter wonderland atmosphere.

Don’t forget the outside!

I tend not to hang lights up outside in the winter as they often don’t last well in storms and strong winds. However, I do like to hang lights across the windscreen or in the window so it looks pretty from outside (this will depend on the type of blinds and covers you have on your van!)

Christmas decor ideas for vanlife- Festive Wreaths

Whilst we’re talking about outside, a wreath is an easy way to add some festive cheer to your vehicle. Don’t forget, you can hang them inside as well as on the door. (Just don’t forget my sad story from above!)

Step 3- The easiest Christmas decorations of all!

The best way to festive-up a small space is to change up your cushion covers and add a festive throw over the seats or bed. It takes about 30 seconds and makes a huge difference.

Of course, there are LOADS of styles and patterns to suit your taste and motorhome interior- click here for hundreds of cushion options!

Add festive bedding and throws too

Again- there’s a HUGE range for all tastes and colours. I love brushed fleece for winter and lovely thick throws to snuggle up in with a good book.

Step 4- Make it Smell like Christmas

Nothing beats a Christmassy smell. I’m addicted to wax melts – I love how easy it is to change scents (Cinnamon and Gingerbread are my festive holiday favourites.)

I love Woodwick candles because they ‘crackle’ like a real fire, which sounds amazing. Just don’t leave them burning overnight or if you leave the van. You can also use pot-pourri and room diffusers too.

(And of course, if you don’t want real candles, use LED ones for a pretty effect.)

Step 5- Finishing touches

Now you can add in all the smaller little touches to your van.

You can decorate the dashboard, add a festive welcome mat and hang up your Christmas cards.

You can even add in christmas-themed dishes, mugs, and teatowels to bring holiday spirit to the kitchen area in your campervan.

Exterior Decorations for your motorhome

If you’re staying in one place for a while, consider adding outdoor decorations like lights, a festive deer or even a small inflatable Santa! Just be aware of any campsite electricity restrictions so you don’t blow the fuse!

Advent Calendars

Hang a small advent calendar near the entrance or in a visible area to count down the days until Christmas.

Final tips for Christmas in a motorhome

Remember to choose decorations that are secure and won’t shift while the motorhome is on the move and prioritise lightweight and compact decorations so they don’t take up too much space. But most of all- have a wonderful Christmas!

Last update on 2025-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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