In search of fast and straightforward methods to make your motorhome, campervan or caravan really feel festive for the Christmas season? Listed here are some nice concepts for you!
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Christmas in a motorhome- the downsides!
Final Christmas, as I used to be driving down the M5 to Devon, I heard a bizarre noise in my motorhome.
Not a traditional bizarre noise like a squeak or a knocking or a rattle- the van makes loads of these if I don’t pack it correctly. This was extra of a… whistling form of sound. One I’d not heard earlier than.
I pulled over on the subsequent relaxation space and had look across the van to see if I might determine it out. Was it coming from a vent gap, or did I go away one of many hatches open (not for the primary time!)

One of many enormous drawbacks to travelling solo in a van is just not having anybody to hearken to ‘bizarre noises’ while I consider driving. And, after all, after I cease driving the bizarre noises cease.
So I didn’t discover the reason for the issue till I left the van to make use of the providers… and realised I’d left my Christmas wreath hanging on the skin of the habitation door! It had been clinging on at 65mph by a chunk of fraying string- I used to be amazed it was nonetheless there to be sincere!
Sadly, it was a little bit misshapen and the lights had stopped working, so I can’t say it survived the journey.
And it seems like I positively want so as to add a brand new factor to my pre-trip departure checklist- unhook Christmas wreath!
When to brighten your camper for Christmas
I do love adorning the motorhome for Christmas. I’ve a mini Christmas tree, a beautiful garland with lights for over the cab and festive bedding and cushion covers for an on the spot replace. I even have a great deal of twinkly lights and baubles to make your complete space really feel festive and cosy.
Nonetheless, if you will beautify your van, there are a few issues to resolve earlier than you begin:
1- Will you be driving/ transferring round loads over the festive interval? If that’s the case, you presumably don’t need numerous fiddly decorations which you have to take down and put again up every time.
You additionally have to:
- Be certain issues are secured down or packed away in order that they don’t transfer and distract you while driving or turn out to be an extra hazard if in case you have an accident
- Don’t block your imaginative and prescient whereas driving with decorations or window stickers
- Keep in mind to take away something outdoors earlier than you drive off!
- Keep in mind your motorhome payload– don’t overdo it with festive cheer!

2- In case you’re going to be at one place for some time, you possibly can at all times drive there with out decorations, after which put them up if you’re there. This protects any issues about issues falling over/ breaking while driving. For this state of affairs, keep in mind:
- If you wish to use candles or wax melts (I like them), don’t fall asleep with a lit candle (and don’t drive with one both!)
- Keep in mind your energy constraints. Battery powered lights will work wherever, whereas issues that require mains can solely be used when plugged in at a campsite (make certain to not journey the campsite!) For that reason, I principally use battery-powered lights so I’m not restricted to campsites.
Suggestions for Christmas vanlife decor
I like making any house I’m in Christmassy and residing within the motorhome is not any completely different. In fact, you have to watch out how a lot and what you buy- it’s very simple to overwhelm a small house.
Christmas Color Schemes
For me, I’ve two color schemes within the motorhome. I’ve pink and silver in my bed room/ rear lounge, and gold and pink within the cab/ entrance space (see picture above). I’ve added a number of concepts under so you possibly can see how issues may match collectively.

Listed here are a few of my favorite Christmas decorations:
Cab/ Entrance space:
Rear Lounge/ Bed room:
Making a small house really feel Christmassy
Earlier than I lived in a motorhome, I lived on boats for 15 years. I’ve turn out to be fairly good at making an area really feel cosy and festive with out being too over-whelming. I’ve shared my favourites above, however listed below are some step-by-step suggestions for getting began:
TIP 1- Begin with ONE ingredient
A small house can’t deal with numerous completely different colors and ornaments with out feeling overwhelming (though, if that’s what you want, go for it!)
For me, I begin with considered one of two issues as the primary focus:
Get a mini Christmas tree
Christmas isn’t the identical with no tree, even for those who’re in a van. Go for a small, tabletop Christmas tree that received’t take up a lot house. Enhance it with light-weight ornaments and LED lights or, even higher, purchase one already pre-lit and embellished!
Selecting a Christmas Garland to your camper
I like having a garland excessive of the cab- I’ve a small shelf on my motorhome which is ideal to relaxation it on. However you can too run a garland down the facet of a drop-down mattress, over the home windows, alongside the again of the kitchen worktop- wherever you want!
Strive to decide on a garland which matches the tree (or vice versa!) and select the size carefully- you don’t need to have to chop it if it’s pre-lit and there’s not numerous house in a van to double it over!
Step 2- Add in some inside lights
Fairy lights make all the pieces really feel magical, particularly when it’s darkish and chilly outdoors. Grasp battery-operated or USB powered fairy lights across the within the motorhome for a winter wonderland ambiance.
Don’t neglect the skin!
I have a tendency to not cling lights up outdoors within the winter as they usually don’t final effectively in storms and powerful winds. Nonetheless, I do like to hold lights throughout the windscreen or within the window so it seems fairly from outdoors (this can rely on the kind of blinds and covers you’ve in your van!)
Christmas decor concepts for vanlife- Festive Wreaths
While we’re speaking about outdoors, a wreath is a straightforward method so as to add some festive cheer to your car. Don’t neglect, you possibly can cling them inside in addition to on the door. (Simply don’t neglect my unhappy story from above!)
Step 3- The simplest Christmas decorations of all!
The easiest way to festive-up a small house is to vary up your cushion covers and add a festive throw over the seats or mattress. It takes about 30 seconds and makes an enormous distinction.
In fact, there are LOADS of kinds and patterns to fit your style and motorhome interior- click on right here for tons of of cushion choices!
Add festive bedding and throws too
Once more- there’s a HUGE vary for all tastes and colors. I like brushed fleece for winter and wonderful thick throws to snuggle up in with e book.
Step 4- Make it Scent like Christmas
Nothing beats a Christmassy scent. I’m hooked on wax melts – I like how simple it’s to vary scents (Cinnamon and Gingerbread are my festive vacation favourites.)
I like Woodwick candles as a result of they ‘crackle’ like an actual fireplace, which sounds wonderful. Simply don’t go away them burning in a single day or for those who go away the van. It’s also possible to use pot-pourri and room diffusers too.
(And naturally, for those who don’t need actual candles, use LED ones for a fairly impact.)
Step 5- Ending touches
Now you possibly can add in all of the smaller little touches to your van.
You may beautify the dashboard, add a festive welcome mat and cling up your Christmas playing cards.
You may even add in christmas-themed dishes, mugs, and teatowels to deliver vacation spirit to the kitchen space in your campervan.
Exterior Decorations to your motorhome
In case you’re staying in a single place for some time, contemplate including out of doors decorations like lights, a festive deer or perhaps a small inflatable Santa! Simply concentrate on any campsite electrical energy restrictions so that you don’t blow the fuse!
Creation Calendars
Grasp a small introduction calendar close to the doorway or in a visual space to rely down the times till Christmas.
Ultimate suggestions for Christmas in a motorhome
Keep in mind to decide on decorations which can be safe and received’t shift whereas the motorhome is on the transfer and prioritise light-weight and compact decorations in order that they don’t take up an excessive amount of house. However most of all- have a beautiful Christmas!
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Final replace on 2025-01-05 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API