These ideas for decorating a mailbox for Christmas show that holiday decorating is not just for indoor projects.
With DIY Christmas mailbox decor projects like these, you’ll discover a fun, inexpensive and pretty way to add instant Christmas curb appeal to your home.
Plus, they are fun to do! I always find decorating puts me in such a happy, festive mood. Try decorating your mailbox if you need a little Christmas cheer!
Outdoor Christmas decorations on the lawn and around the home and garden really brighten up a front yard and greet your guests in a festive way.
Your mailbox is one of the first thing that friends see when they come to your home. Why have just a plain mailbox, when you can turn it into a decorated masterpiece with just a few supplies and a bit of time?
Trying one of the ideas below will make checking the mail so much more fun! Don’t forget to spread the cheer this year by sending out Christmas cards in the mail. It’s traditional to send them on December 9, also known as Christmas Card Day!
Is it legal to decorate your mailbox for Christmas?
Mailbox decorations are used on many properties prior to Christmas, but is it okay to do this? Before we get into the ways that we can decorate a mailbox for the holidays, let’s answer a common question that readers ask: Is it illegal to decorate a mailbox for Christmas?
While the post office does not allow affixing any type of fliers without postage either inside or outside of a mailbox, and there are hefty fines for doing this, they are more lenient when it comes to decorations.
According to USPS rule 3.2. 4: “Decorative art and devices can be attached to the exterior of approved mailbox designs provided they do not interfere with mail delivery or present a safety hazard.”
Does a mailbox have to be any particular color?
The same rule also states that the mailbox may be any color: “The mailbox may be any color. The carrier signal flag can be any color except any shade of green, brown, white, yellow or blue. The preferred flag color is fluorescent orange. Also, the flag color must present a clear contrast with predominant color of the mailbox.”
So, as long as you keep these rules in mind, you can decorate your mailbox for Christmas.
Supplies for mailbox Christmas decor
With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to show some ways to brighten up a mailbox to put it in the Christmas spirit.
If this type of decorating appeals to you, gather up some of these supplies. Common supplies for decorating a mailbox are:
- Bows made of wire wrapped ribbon (This ribbon hold up better and is easy to form into bows.)
- Solar powered Christmas lights to keep your mailbox bright all through the night.
- Garlands on their own or with added Christmas decorations.
- Magnetic mailbox covers to transform the mailbox into a pretty scene.
- Greenery swags with natural or faux pine, and fir. Add your own decor items, or buy one already decorated.
- Holly leaves and berries to add a festive flair and some color.
- Door swags or wreaths to add quickly to a mailbox for instant decor.
- Stickers – use them to easily change the look of your mailbox in just minutes.
Here are a few ways to use these items. You might start a trend with your neighbors before you know it!
Bows for a Christmas mailbox
The easiest way to add some instant Christmas appeal, for very little cost, is to add a big Christmas bow. Wire edged ribbon works best for this type of project, since it will hold its shape well.
For a bit more of an impact, try making a double bow, with both plain and patterned ribbon. The time to make the bow is the same but the impact is double!
Even if you only decorate your mailbox and nothing else, your neighbors will assume your whole house is done! So, if you are short on time this year, just add a bow to your mailbox to set a positive impression as people drive by.
Leave long ends to the finished Christmas bow and drape them over the sides of the mailbox.
You can also add in a few pieces of Christmas greenery for more of a holiday look. Easy Peasy! See how to make a floral bow here.
Garlands for a Christmas mailbox
Many stores have very long faux pine garlands for sale this time of the year with decorations like pine cones and berries already attached
Drape the garland around the top of the mailbox, add a festive bow on top of the garland, and you have an instant fun and festive look.
You can purchase a plain garland, or make one with real branches and attach small Dollar store bows, bells and charms for additional effect.
Your local Farmer’s Market is a good place to source out a pre-made mailbox garland.
Holly leaves and berries
You don’t have to go far to get supplies to help with your mailbox decorating ideas. Just wander around the yard and collect some holly leaves and berries berries, plus some fir branches.
Shape the branches into a swag and use floral wire to add the holly leaves and berries.
A battery operated set of white Christmas lights will give a nice holiday touch at night.
Magnetic Mailbox Covers
Not the crafty type? Just drape a magnetic mailbox cover with a Christmas scene on it and presto, your mailbox is done!
There are literally hundreds of designs to suit all decorating tastes from simple covers to elaborate and festive Christmas scenes.
Christmas mailbox swag
There are preformed mailbox swags shapes that you can use as the beginning of your project. I bought mine at the Farmers Market last year.
The form is just bent wire in the shape of a mailbox and then you add fir branches to the wire.
Just drape the swag over your mailbox and decorate it with additional Christmas decor items.
Christmas mailbox decorating ideas
Once you have your supplies on hand, there are many ways to use them to decorate your mailbox for the holidays.
From adding wreaths and stickers, to decorating the pole and covering the mailbox, these ideas will charm your whole neighborhood, as well as your mail carrier.
Grapevine wreath mailbox decoration
Grape vine wreaths are round and sturdy and an ideal item to use in your Christmas mailbox decorations.
Just slip one over the mailbox post and wrap the mailbox in front of the wreath with a garland with silver berries for a quick and easy look that takes just minutes to put together.
Using stickers for decorating mailboxes for the holidays
Instantly change the look of a mailbox by adding some festive holiday stickers.
This design uses snowflake stickers, but any motif would work. The decorated garland around the edges adds an extra touch of greenery and color.
An added plus: Snowflake stickers would extend the look once you remove the garland, right through the winter months.
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Ho, ho, ho! It's time to decorate your mailbox for Christmas. Head to Always the Holidays to get some inspiration for mailbox swags, garlands, covers and so much more. #Christmas #mailboxdecor #ChristmasDecorations 🎅🎄📫🤶🎄 Share on XInspiration for decorating mailboxes for Christmas
It is time for some mailbox Christmas decor! I am a self confessed Christmas fairy. If there is a place in my home that doesn’t have a Christmas decoration on it, I’ll find something that will make it more festive.
My mail box is no exception. For the last few years, I’ve had a garland wrapped around the mail box pole with some red bows and berries on it.
This year, I am looking for a change, so I decided to see what other ideas are out there for holiday mailboxes.
Decorated mailbox pole
Do you live in a subdivision where you share a mailbox with a neighbor? Decorate the pole between your mailboxes in style with this idea.
A plain black pole is all dressed up for the holidays with a large poinsettia with bells, and Christmas bell necklaces hanging down the front of it.
You could also use this idea on a single mailbox post if it has a protruding top.
If you love poinsettias around the holiday season make sure you check out our posts with facts about poinsettias, and ways to celebrate National Poinsettia Day!
Candy cane Christmas mailboxes
Are you handy with a paintbrush? Turn a plain white mailbox into a Christmas candy cane mailbox design.
Paint wide and thin red and green stripes over a white mailbox using waterproof paint.
When dry, add a rustic letters to Santa sign and a small burlap bow and huge jingle bell decoration. (Don’t forget to check Santa’s list to see if you’ve been naughty or nice this year!)
This one will have you dreaming of sugar plum fairies tonight!
Green garland Christmas mailbox decoration
Wrap metallic green garland around the edges of a white mailbox for a lovely and stark contrast.
A large dotted green metallic bow finishes the crisp holiday look. Ready in just minutes, but so, so effective in design.
Antique letterbox Christmas decorations
Antique letter boxes are taller than they are wide. This gives them a fairly large area on the front that is ideal for a small decorated wreath with presents and a red bow.
This mailbox decoration is quick and easy to put together and very festive looking.
Christmas tree mailbox decorations
This is a holiday mailbox idea that will have the kids counting down until Christmas day. They’ll be sure to be the first to get that flag up for their letters to Santa! Your kids can also call the official Santa phone number to get in touch with him.
Attach a green metallic Christmas tree with some ball decorations on it to the top of the mailbox. The addition of the falling snow adds a nostalgic effect.
Christmas mailbox with swag wreath
This lovely mailbox decoration features a big swag wreath made of green leaves and fir branches, accented by big pine cones, berries, and pieces of Christmas greenery.
The swag is added to above the mailbox, attached to the post itself.
This look is simple to do if you have a decorated swag wreath on hand. It would be ready in just minutes! 
Wall mount mailbox decoration idea
Do you have a wall mounted mailbox on your home, instead of a freestanding street mailbox?
The idea for this attached holiday mailbox could be changed with the seasons. Start by painting your mailbox with weather proof outdoor paint.
Find a Christmas stencil you like and use it to paint on the holiday design.
When the season is over, just repaint the mailbox and add a new stencil design for a fresh change to the next season or holiday.
Poinsettia mailbox decorations
Poinsettias are one of the most popular Christmas plants. Let’s put them to use on your mailbox.
Attach a poinsettia garland to a white mailbox and droop it over the top and allow the garland to hang down.
You will delight those who pass by, even though you cannot guarantee that they will have such a special delivery, of course!
Pin these ideas for decorating a mailbox for Christmas
Would you like a reminder of this post for Christmas mailbox decor? Just pin this image to one of your Christmas boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
What ideas do you have for decorating your Christmas mailbox? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
Admin note: This post for holiday mailboxes first appeared on the blog in November of 2013. I have updated the post to include more mailbox decorations for Christmas ideas for your inspiration and a video for you to enjoy.
More Christmas mailbox decoration ideas
Mailbox Christmas Decorations - DIY Christmas Mailbox Decor
Are you still looking for more inspiration for you mailbox decorations for Christmas? Try one of these creative ideas.
They are easy to put together and so festive!
A pine cone, some fir branches and a few berries, plus a pretty plaid scarf are all that you need to decorate a plain black mailbox to really make it stand out for the holidays.
Decorating Your Mailbox for Christmas Simply and Easily
This simple style using just white and red colors. A simple garland is draped over the back post.
The pretty red bows match the colors of the red mailbox flag.
If you have a large square mailbox you can add a big fir garland topper.
Tuck in ornaments and oversize pine cones to add color and fill in gaps and add a big red bow to the mailbox opening.
This idea lets you dress up your mailbox for the holidays in style!
Shop the look with these mailbox decorations!
If you are not a crafty type of person, you can still decorate your mailbox for the holidays. Just shop the look on Amazon or Etsy with the creations below.
You'll give your mailbox some Christmas curb appeal in just minutes.
This winter pine & berry mailbox swag is a mix of realistic evergreen, berries, woody twigs, and lightly frosted pinecones.
The swag sits on top of your mailbox. Small red ornaments add some holiday charm to this Christmas mailbox decoration.
This cute snowman mailbox cover adds just the right touch of whimsy to this plain black mailbox.
Available from Amazon.com.
How cute is this mailbox swag?
The snowman character lights up with a warm white light and sits atop holly leaves and berries. The mittens are a great addition!
Free shipping with Amazon Prime.
This mailbox cover is made of premium grade PVC that is all weather durable.
Send holiday greetings to your mail carrier with this magnetic mailbox cover.
Easily attaches to a standard or oversized mailbox with magnetic strips.
This beautiful Christmas mailbox swag has accented Christmas colors, shatterproof ornaments, picks and a whimsical ribbon.
It fits a standard size mailbox and comes on metal frame with hooks.
A beautiful large bow rests on a spruce swag that is shaped to fit a mailbox in this design.
Red and black buffalo checked ribbon adds a unique farmhouse look to the design.
Personalize with your choice of "Home for the Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" wording.
This winter wonderland Christmas mailbox cover includes your custom address.
It is fully waterproof and weather resistant and made from top quality polyester fabric with magnetic strips.
Sized to fit most standard metal mailboxes.
Put a smile on your mail carrier's face when they pull up to your colorful Christmas mailbox with its pretty swag.
This fun whimsical red and white mailbox swag has extra swag!
Kat
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
Hi, for the snowman on his little snowbelly on top of the mailbox. Is there a pattern or where can I purchase, please?
Carol
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
Hi Kat, this was available on Amazon but is not in stock any longer.
Ann
Saturday 12th of November 2022
Where did you find the large bells found on the poinsettia mailbox decoration? They are fabulous.
Carol
Saturday 12th of November 2022
the image is a purchased photo rather than a project that I did myself, but Amazon has quite a range of jumbo jingle bells for sale.
UC
Tuesday 25th of October 2022
These ideas are awesome just a word of advice before you start - if you have an HOA check before you decorate your box . We had to take our cover off the box at some point . I wish I could decorate . My solution I added a fake “Santa “ mailbox right beside our garage . It’s holiday decoration . Work around :/)
Marvie lentz
Tuesday 27th of October 2015
love all of them someone is very talented. Merry christmas