How to Decorate Your Big Rig for the Holidays

Give Your Truck the Ol' Holiday Razzle Dazzle

For most people, it's that period of time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas where serious holiday decorating begins. But for America's backbone, the hard-working men and women in the trucking industry, it's the busiest time of the year with retail and grocery deliveries that need to happen all over the country.

But just because you're on the road for the holidays doesn't mean you can't participate in holiday decorating and add a little holly jolly to your truck or vocational vehicle. Whether you've got a few bucks or a little more to devote to décor, you can deck the halls (or the sleeper) on any budget for your truck or fleet.

Prepping The Vehicle for a Festive Makeover

Just as you clean your home before the tree and decorations go up, adding a few decorations to your truck is a good excuse to get it looking its best. It's easy for food wrappers, empty drink containers, and other garbage to accumulate on the inside of the truck, and when's the last time you got the outside of your truck cleaned?

Holiday decorations always look better in a clean space, especially outside of your truck. Cleaning the grit and dirt off of your truck will also help the decorations hold up longer so you don't have to buy all new ones next year.

Decorating the Inside

• Dashboard Christmas tree/Menorah. No matter what holidays you celebrate in December, having a mini menorah or Christmas tree on the dash is a nice touch to help you feel closer to home while you're on the road. And a lot less of a hassle to put up and take down. However, we will note that you probably shouldn't light the menorah candles while you're driving.


• LED light strips. Lights during the holidays are a necessity, but if you don't have the power inverter (or the patience) for traditional string lights around your windows and cab, the LED variety will do. These lights also typically come with adhesive backs that are easy to apply and remove without damaging your interior.


• Light strings. If you DO have the power inverter (and the patience) for traditional lights, adding a few festive strings around the windows, cab, and/or sleeper can bring your truck from 0 to festive in just a few steps.

• Holiday-themed seat covers and comfort items. If you're planning on doing it up right for the holidays, decking out your truck with holiday seat covers and blankets can bring a little more spirit to life on the road.


• Garland. Setting up your truck with a little holiday cheer doesn't have to be complicated. Drape some garland around the dash or overhead bin area and crank those traditional Christmas tunes on your radio.


• Elf in the Passenger Seat. This could go two different ways depending on your driving situation. If you've got a driving partner, you could dress them up like an elf (they'd love it) or keep that seat warm with an Elf on the Shelf – hey, why not? At a time when in-person contact is minimal, a little elf buddy may be nice to have around. Just make sure it doesn't start talking back to you.

Decorating the Outside

If you're feeling ambitious and the holiday spirit moves you to get some decorations up on the truck before you hit the road, you've got a few options in this area too:

• A wreath on the grille. If nothing else, a festive wreath attached (securely) to the grille of the truck will put a smile on the face of everyone who sees you driving by.


• LED light strips/String Lights. This is another area where stick-on LED light strips can be easier to take on and off without using too much power, but a few strings of lights around the outside is also a pleasant sight for the people you're doing business with.

Know what's okay with lights! Even though holiday lights are a tried and true holiday tradition, make sure any outside lighting is placed so as not to conflict with your signal lights or create a distraction for other drivers. A citation or ticket is a not a gift that your company is looking for this holiday season.

• A Christmas sign in the back. Getting stuck behind your big rig may not be such a bad thing if you've got a cute holiday sign for them to see. Just make sure it's on there securely and doesn't provide a huge distraction.


• Festive mud flaps. If you've never felt inspired to get custom mud flaps made for your truck, now may be just the time to get creative.


• Reindeer antlers and nose. This is probably one of the tackiest things that people do to their vehicles in December but when in Rome, right?

Celebrating December Holidays on the Road

Holidays can be especially hard for truckers and having to make long hauls during a global pandemic certainly isn't helping this year. Luckily, there are ways to celebrate holidays in December all month long, and adding a little flare to the inside and/or outside of your vehicle can make a big difference.

Stay safe and healthy out there, and most importantly, know what decorations are and are not okay with motor vehicle laws and your company policies before you go Clark Griswold on your truck.