There are many differences between living in a house and living on the road, and the holidays are no exception.
Setting up a tree inside a moving vehicle may seem ridiculous and unsafe, especially for our new RVers.
So if you’re wondering if you should stay home and celebrate Christmas the way you’re used to or hit the road and spend Christmas somewhere with stunning views, here’s some information on how to keep your RV safe and festive.
Do Campers Display Christmas Trees in Their RVs?
As long as you can find the space, you can absolutely put up a Christmas tree.
You can even set up an outdoor display if the RV park approves it. Celebrating the holidays in an RV doesn’t mean you can’t have fun; it just means you need to get creative.
Are Christmas Trees Fire Hazards in an RV?
As long as you follow fire safety guidelines, an RV Christmas tree should be totally feasible. Make sure you don’t overdo it with the lights and that those lights aren’t too old. Keep the tree away from any heat sources.
Candles can be fun and festive, but they need to be far away from any decorations, and you should keep an eye on them.
You should also make sure your tree isn’t blocking the exit in case of an emergency.
Where Can You Put a Christmas Tree in Your RV?
Usually, a tree would go in a living room or the front window of your house. With an RV, space is more limited. If there’s a corner with a little more space, you could use that.
If you’re willing to get a smaller tree, you can also use some counter space to set that up.
How to Make the Most of Your Small Space
If you’re concerned about the small space, you could consider just replacing the regular decor you have with some holiday decorations.
If you happen to have any plants in the room, as well as a place to store them, see if you can temporarily replace them with a Christmas tree.
There’s nothing wrong with wall decorations if you have absolutely no space and no storage.
Get a Smaller Tree
Small trees can be just as colorful and festive, topped with a star and covered in lights and tinsel. This could mean getting a tall skinny tree to tuck away in the corner or a half-tree that lies flat against a wall and only has half the bulk.
This is an especially helpful compromise when you want to put presents under the tree on Christmas Day.
Pro Tip: Looking to take your RV on a festive adventure? Why not road trip The Best Drive-Through Christmas Lights in America!
Try a Tabletop Display
If you don’t have any floor space to spare, consider doing a tabletop display instead. You can get an extra small tree that fits on a counter or table, which is much faster to decorate and far less hassle.
You may need to set it on the floor during meals, but this is a great alternative to bumping into a bulky tree.
Don’t Forget About Your Walls
If you’re feeling extra minimalistic, relying on wall decorations is a good way to create festivity without filling your RV with clutter. You could hang up different holiday shapes with lights on your walls, such as trees or presents.
If you have any pictures hanging up in your RV, you could swap them out with holiday messages and memories to add to the Christmas spirit.
Use Command Hooks
Try using command hooks if you want to hang up decorations without adding extra nails to your walls. This will allow you to decorate to your heart’s content without having to sacrifice your smooth walls.
You can also use a command hook to add a wreath to your RV door when you’re not driving, of course.
Don’t Want an RV Christmas Tree? Here Are Some Alternatives
Having a tree inside a vehicle may not be feasible, and that’s OK! Feel free to get crafty and bust out the glitter glue.
Switch out your light bulbs for red or green lights to feel immersed in the holiday without having to trip over electrical cords. There’s more than one way to celebrate. It’s just a matter of figuring out what works best for you.
Hang Some Garlands
Garlands can be just as festive as trees and take up far less space. You can hang them along the upper part of your wall using hooks and even decorate them with lights.
You might even want an extra garland on hand to decorate the outside of your RV once you’re safely parked and ready to celebrate.
String Lights Inside (and Out)
If you’d rather not deal with garlands, you can just stick with some colorful lights. String up lights inside or outside your RV to add to the holiday spirit.
If you want to get more intense with lights or just avoid having too much extra stuff while traveling, you can use a small projector to cover the outside of your RV with lights when you’re parked.
Pro Tip: If you’re hesitant to hang up decorations in your RV, make sure to read up on Are Christmas Lights Safe in an RV Camper?
Make Paper Snowflakes
Paper snowflakes are great when you’re on a budget, traveling with kids, or both. Cut out some paper snowflakes to tape in your windows and on your walls.
You can even add some glitter to spruce it up a bit.
Celebrating in Your RV Can Be Just as Festive
Everything is smaller in an RV, including holiday decorations. That doesn’t mean the celebration itself needs to be smaller.
With the right attitude, and a willingness to compromise, Christmas can be just as festive on the road. Your decorations may be different and smaller than you’re used to, but as long as you’re enjoying your vacation, that’s all that matters.
Have you ever celebrated Christmas in an RV? How did you go about decorating and getting in the spirit? Drop a comment below!
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: