The Teacher's Guide to Creating a Festive Classroom

There is a reason why red and green are still the undisputed kings of Christmas colors. They bring an instant sense of nostalgia and warmth that trendy palettes like "icy blue" or "blush pink" just can't quite match. Recently, we've seen a huge shift back toward this traditional look as teachers and families crave that cozy, "home-for-the-holidays" feeling in their spaces.

These Red & Green Christmas Bulletin Board Letters were designed to take the headache out of seasonal decorating. Instead of digging through old storage bins only to find you're missing a few vowels, you can simply print exactly what you need, right when you need it. The letters are bold and easy to read from across the room, and because they are straightforward to cut out, they’re a massive time-saver during the busy December rush.

This printable bundle also includes festive pennant banners and coordinating borders, giving you everything you need to turn a plain whiteboard, door, or hallway into a holiday masterpiece in minutes.

Why does classroom decoration matter?

Kids notice everything. They'll spot a new pencil sharpener from across the room. So when December rolls around, and your classroom looks the same as it did in November, they feel it.

Seasonal displays do more than look pretty. They create anticipation. They mark time in a way that makes sense to young minds. They make teaching more fun for us, too.

Though there's a practical side that matters just as much. When you're teaching reading and a child looks up at your word wall decorated with festive letters, they're more likely to remember those words. Context matters. Association matters. A plain "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" spelled out in regular letters? Forgettable. The same message in candy cane stripes or cozy sweater patterns? That sticks.

These bold letters are the perfect way to label a special classroom display featuring the children's holiday wishes from our Letters to Santa: 14 Festive Lined Journal Pages.

What makes red and green the perfect classroom color scheme?

Every December, I get asked: "Why not blue? Why not purple and silver?" And look, you can use whatever colors make you happy. While red and green work, and here's why.

First, the contrast. Red letters pop against a green background. Green pennants look crisp against red paper. The visibility matters when you've got 25 kids trying to read your display from different angles and distances.

Second, the inclusivity. Not every family celebrates Christmas, but red and green have become general winter colors in most schools. They read as festive without being specifically religious. Pair them with snowflakes, mittens, or hot chocolate themes, and you've got a display that welcomes everyone.

Pro Tip from the Classroom:

Print your letters on cardstock, not regular paper. Yes, it costs a bit more. But you'll use them for three to five years instead of one season. Laminate them if your school has a laminator. If not, clear contact paper works just as well and costs about $4 at the dollar store.

How do you put together a bulletin board that doesn't fall apart?

This is where I see new teachers struggle. They have beautiful materials and big ideas, but by December 15th, everything's drooping like a sad Christmas tree.

The foundation matters

Start with your backing paper. I use butcher paper in a solid color because it's cheap and comes in huge rolls. Red or green, obviously. Some teachers like fabric, which looks amazing but wrinkles if you're not careful. Bulletin board paper designed for classrooms is the middle ground; it costs more but holds up better than butcher paper.

Staple from the back of the board through to the front. The staples hold better and create a cleaner look. Use way more staples than you think you need. I'm talking every 6 inches around the border. Your custodian might give you a look, but your display won't fall during parent conferences.

Arranging your letters and pennants

Measure before you commit. I learned this the hard way when I spelled out "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and ran out of board space at "CHRISTM."

For pennant banners, string them on ribbon or yarn before you put them up. Trying to attach individual pennants to the board? That's a December Sunday you'll never get back. Thread them first, tie knots between each one so they don't slide around, then staple or pin the ribbon at each end.

Real Talk About Laminating:

If you're laminating letters, leave a small border around each one when you cut them out. This sealed edge prevents peeling. Also, warm laminated pieces stick better. I sometimes run them under warm water for a few seconds before hanging. Sounds weird, works perfectly.

What should your display say?

This matters more than the colors or materials. Your bulletin board is prime real estate in your classroom. Don't waste it on something generic.

Some displays that kids engaged with:

"KINDNESS IS ALWAYS IN SEASON" – We attached paper mittens with kind acts written on them. Kids loved adding new mittens throughout December.
"WHAT WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR" – Red and green leaves that students decorated. This worked better than a Thanksgiving display because December has less curriculum pressure.
"WINTER WORD WALL" – Festive letters spelling out seasonal vocabulary. This was my reading intervention group's favorite reference tool.
"SEASON'S READINGS" – A play on words with book recommendations. The librarian loved me for this one.

The key? Make it interactive or educational. A pretty display that just says "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" looks nice, but a display that kids actually use or contribute to? That's worth the wall space.

Can you really reuse these decorations year after year?

Absolutely, and this is where the investment pays off.

The secret is storage. Don't just stuff them in a box. I use large manila envelopes labeled by theme. The letters go flat in a file folder. Everything stays in a plastic bin in my closet marked "DECEMBER."

Before you take down your display in January, check each piece. If something's torn or faded, toss it. Replace just those pieces next year instead of printing everything fresh. This five-minute end-of-season check saves so much time.

Budget Hack I Wish Someone Had Told Me:

Print your letters in black and white, then back them with colored cardstock. You use way less colored ink, the letters still pop, and you can change the backing color each year for a different look. I did all of mine on white cardstock with red backing last year and green backing this year. Looks like two completely different sets.

What if you teach older kids who think decorations are "babyish"?

Older elementary and middle school kids won't admit they care about classroom decor, but they definitely notice when you don't do anything.

Go sophisticated with your color scheme. Deep forest green and burgundy instead of bright Christmas colors. Use pennants to display student work or class achievements rather than just as decoration. Make your letters part of a learning display, maybe vocabulary words for your current novel unit, styled with winter patterns.

What's the fastest way to create a great display when you're completely swamped?

December is brutal for teachers. Report cards, holiday concerts, shortened weeks, sugar-fueled kids bouncing off walls. Sometimes you just need something that looks good without eating up hours.

Here's the December display that takes less than 30 minutes:

Put up your backing paper
Print and cut out large letters spelling something simple like "DECEMBER" or "WINTER" – 7-8 letters max
Space them across your board
Print one sheet of pennant banners and string them across the top or bottom
Done

It's clean, it's festive, and nobody will know you threw it together during lunch duty while eating a granola bar over the sink in the teacher's lounge.

Time-Saving Truth:

Your bulletin board doesn't need to be Pinterest-perfect. It needs to be done and look intentional. A simple display that's actually up on December 1st beats an elaborate plan that's still in your head on December 15th. Progress over perfection, always.

Where should you put these displays for maximum impact?

The board behind the desk? That's for teacher stuff, standards, schedules, boring but necessary information. Nobody really looks at it.

The board by the door? That's your showcase. It's what parents see during pickup, what visitors notice first, what kids look at while lining up. This is where your best festive display goes.

The board at the back of the room? This is where you put interactive stuff. It's easier for kids to add to without causing traffic jams. This is perfect for a "Winter Wishes" display where students contribute throughout the month.

If you're short on bulletin board space, use your door. You can spell out "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" vertically down my door using large letters. Added some pennant banners across the top. Takes up no wall space, looks great, and is the first thing kids see every morning.

Is it worth making your own letters vs. buying pre-made sets?

Store-bought sets look polished and professional. They're usually already laminated or on heavy cardstock. They're expensive, though, anywhere from $15 to $40 for a full alphabet and numbers. And you're stuck with whatever design they offer.

Printable letters give you flexibility. You can print what you need. You can resize them easily. You can print multiple sets in different patterns without spending more money. While you're trading money for time, printing, cutting, and maybe laminating.

If you want to transition your room from a specific Christmas theme to a more general seasonal look, you can also explore our Winter Wonderland Bulletin Board Kit: The Perfect Snow Day Classroom Decor for a fresh, snowy vibe.

Cutting Hack:

Get a paper cutter. Not the expensive fancy kind – a basic 12-inch cutter costs about $15. I can cut out a full set of letters in the time it used to take me to cut out three letters with scissors. Your hands will thank you, especially if you're cutting anything laminated.

What should you do with your display after the holidays?

Don't rip everything down on the last day before break. You'll regret this in January when you're staring at a bare bulletin board and have zero energy to decorate.

You can take down the December displays during the first week back in January. You'll be ready for a fresh start. You must have the next display materials before removing the old ones. This prevents the awkward week of empty boards.

Store everything properly right away. Don't let it sit on your desk for two weeks. Future you will appreciate past you, taking 10 minutes to organize things.

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Includes red & green letters, pennant banners, and festive borders - all ready to print!

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Here's what matters most

Your classroom in December should feel different. Not because you spent 20 hours on elaborate decorations, but because you took a bit of time to acknowledge that this month is special for kids.

Those red and green letters spelling out a kind message? The pennant banners framing your word wall? They're part of creating a space where kids feel excited to learn, where they look forward to walking through your door.

Will some of your staples fall out? Probably. Will a corner of your backing paper peel off? Maybe. Will it be perfect? No.

But will your students remember the year their classroom felt festive and welcoming? Will they associate learning with joy during this season? Yes. And that's worth every minute you spend on it.

So print those letters. String up those pennants. Make your classroom feel like December. You've got this.