Bring your town together
How to run a community Christmas decorating contest
A decorating contest gives neighbors a reason to share their work and families a reason to explore. ChristmasPrism can help bring entries and participation into one place. Start by making the rules and responsibilities clear.
Choose the community and a point of contact
Decide which town, neighborhood, or organization the contest serves. Name a contact who can coordinate details and answer residents’ questions. Townships, boroughs, fire companies, chambers, HOAs, and school groups can contact ChristmasPrism about a free hosted town contest.
Set the entry area and eligibility rules
Agree on the geographic boundary and which displays can enter. Explain who may submit an entry, how residents should list their display, and any requirements participants need to know before joining.
Plan the season in order
Choose when entries open, when voting starts, when it ends, and when winners will be announced. Leave enough time to share the invitation and for residents to prepare their listings. Confirm the final schedule with ChristmasPrism before announcing it.
Make voting and prizes understandable
Publish the voting rules alongside the contest details. Decide what awards or prizes you will offer and who is responsible for providing them. If a sponsor is involved, approve its role and branding before the contest launches. Avoid making promises about guaranteed turnout or abuse-proof voting.
Invite people to participate
Share a clear invitation through the channels your community already uses. Explain that residents enter and vote in the ChristmasPrism app. Include the entry deadline and where to find the complete rules. Encourage families to enjoy the displays as well as take part in the contest.
Celebrate and close the loop
After voting closes, confirm the results through the contest process and share the winners. Thank the decorators, volunteers, and any sponsors. Keep a note of what worked so the next season is easier to organize.