How to Choose Christmas Wallpaper in 7 Simple Steps

Updated October 12, 2026 · By Dipan Patel, co-founder of Giffywalls · 8 min read

Choosing Christmas wallpaper comes down to seven decisions: the finish, the format, the style, the size, the budget, the order date and how it comes down. Get those right and the rest is easy. This guide walks through each one in order, so you can go from "I'd like a festive wall" to a confident order in one sitting.

Step 1: Should you choose peel and stick or traditional Christmas wallpaper?

Choose peel and stick if the wallpaper comes down after the holidays, and traditional paste-the-wall paper if it stays up all winter or longer. Peel and stick needs no paste and lifts off a smooth, cured, painted wall without residue. Traditional paper holds firmer for longer, so it suits designs you want to keep up past the holidays.

All eight of our paper types are scratch resistant and printed with PVC-free inks, and every order comes with glue and a squeegee (paper types). If you're renting, the choice is simple: peel and stick wallpaper.

Step 2: Do you need repeating wallpaper or a wall mural?

Use a wall mural when you want one wall to be the focal point, and repeating wallpaper when you want a whole room or hallway to feel festive. A mural is one large scene across the wall. Repeating wallpaper tiles a small motif evenly, so it supports the room instead of taking it over.

A repeating design like the Preppy Christmas Tree Bows Ribbon Stripes wallpaper works across a dining room or entryway. A scene like the Winter Cabin Retreat wall mural belongs on the one wall behind the tree or sofa.

Going the mural route? Our guide to Christmas wall murals covers placement, sizing for common walls and how to keep the scene visible behind the tree.

Step 3: Pick a style that suits the room

Let the room decide how bold to go. Living rooms and dining rooms can carry a bold, festive design; bedrooms and home offices suit a quiet winter pattern; kids' rooms can go playful. A style that matches how the room is used will look right for longer than one picked from a photo alone.

You don't need to know every option before you start. For a pick in each room, see Christmas wallpaper ideas for every room. To see what's new this season, from vintage villages to tartan, read Christmas wallpaper trends for 2026.

Can't find exactly what you have in mind? You can upload your own design, like a family photo or a child's drawing, and have it printed to the size of your wall.

Browse all Christmas designs →

Step 4: How do you measure a wall for Christmas wallpaper?

Measure the widest width and the highest height of the wall, then add about 2 inches to each for trimming. Leave out baseboards and crown molding. Because every design is printed to your exact size, accurate measurements matter more than they would with standard rolls.

1. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. Use the largest figure.
2. Measure the height at the left, center and right. Use the largest figure.
3. Add 2 inches to both.
4. Windows and doors: measure the whole wall as if they weren't there. They're cut out when you hang it.
5. Two walls: add the widths together and order one piece at the shared height, so the print matches.

Order everything for one wall in a single order, as separate orders can print with slight color differences. Our how to measure guide has the full method, including sloped walls.

Step 5: How much does Christmas wallpaper cost?

Christmas wallpaper at Giffywalls is priced per square foot of your wall, from $3.90 per sq ft at the time of writing, with free shipping. A 10 x 8 ft wall is 80 sq ft, so it costs about $312. You pay for the wall you have, not for whole rolls and wasted offcuts.

To work out your own cost:

1. Multiply width by height in feet to get square feet. (Working in inches? Multiply, then divide by 144.)
2. Multiply the square feet by the price per sq ft shown on the product page. The final price for your chosen paper type is shown before checkout.

Worked example: a 10 ft wide, 8 ft high wall is 80 sq ft. At $3.90 per sq ft, that's $312. A 4 x 8 ft alcove is 32 sq ft, about $125, which makes a good first project if you're testing the look.

Step 6: When should you order Christmas wallpaper to have it up by December 25?

Order by December 7 for a relaxed hang. Delivery takes 3 to 6 business days including production (delivery times), so a December 7 order arrives by December 15. December 15 is the last practical order date, for delivery by December 23.

Our advice is to order in November if you can. You'll have time to hang it calmly, fix any small issues and enjoy it for the whole season, not just the last few days before Christmas.

Step 7: How do you remove Christmas wallpaper in January?

Peel slowly from a top corner at a low angle, pulling back along the wall rather than straight out. On a smooth, cured, painted wall, peel and stick wallpaper comes off without residue. If a section resists, warm it gently with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive, then keep peeling.

1. Start at a top corner and lift a small section with a fingernail or plastic card.
2. Peel low and slow, keeping the panel close to the wall.
3. Warm stubborn spots with a hair dryer on a low setting.
4. Wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove any dust.

Plan for removal when you buy. Peel and stick is best treated as a one-season piece, since the adhesive weakens once removed. If you'd rather not take it down at all, choose a winter design like the Snowy Town Adventure wallpaper that still looks right in February. The installation guide covers hanging and removal for each paper type.

Christmas wallpaper buying FAQs

Can I hang Christmas wallpaper myself?

Yes. Peel and stick wallpaper is designed for DIY: peel the backing, line it up at a top corner and smooth it down. Traditional paper takes a little more care because you paste the wall first, but it's still a one-person job on a standard wall. Every order includes a squeegee to push out air bubbles.

How long does it take to hang one wall?

Most single feature walls take an afternoon, including wall prep. Allow extra time for windows, sockets or a sloped ceiling, where you'll need to trim carefully. Hanging at a relaxed pace the weekend after delivery is far easier than rushing on Christmas Eve, which is one more reason to order early.

What tools do I need to hang Christmas wallpaper?

Every order includes glue and a squeegee. You'll also want a tape measure, a pencil, a spirit level or plumb line for the first straight edge, a sharp craft knife for trimming, and a step ladder. For traditional paper, add a paint roller or brush to apply the paste to the wall.

Is Christmas wallpaper safe for a child's bedroom?

Our papers are printed with PVC-free, non-toxic inks, which is why parents often choose them for kids' rooms and nurseries. For a child's room, peel and stick is the practical pick, because it goes up without paste and comes down in January without touching the paint underneath.

Can I use Christmas wallpaper in a kitchen or bathroom?

Yes, with the right paper. Our Peel & Stick paper is the one we recommend for bathrooms, and it's also fire rated. Keep it away from direct splashes behind a sink or stove, and make sure the room is well ventilated so steam doesn't sit on the wall for long periods.

Final thoughts

Work through the seven steps in order and choosing Christmas wallpaper stops feeling like a gamble. Decide the finish and format first, let the room set the style, measure carefully, check the cost, and order by early December. Then the only decision left is where the tree goes.

Browse all Christmas wallpaper →