RVers often like to keep up holiday decorating traditions, but lack the space to carry or set up the decorations that used to brighten their homes. Time to think small.
RV owners tend to travel during the "holiday season" of Thanksgiving/Christmas/Channukah/New Years. Few RVs have the space to store or display large numbers of decorations.
Do travelers still decorate the motor home or fifth wheel when they're on the go? Darned right they do, and here are some ideas to help.
Thanksgiving Decorations for RVs
Any décor idea suitable for a small space will work in the RV. Found objects can contribute.
A small table centerpiece can be made from a bow around a colorful candle. Use a small circle of cardboard as a base and glue on desert rocks, or pine cones (whatever's in the area) to support the candle.
Camped near the ocean? Find a small piece of driftwood that stands stable, drill three to five small holes and insert birthday candles.
The traditional turkey may not work well in an RV oven, but turkey decorations from local stores (or made by the kids or grandkids) will work on the wall.
A small basket filled with local fruit or vegetables will serve as a quick cornucopia (horn of plenty).
Hanukkah Decorations for the RV
The Festival of Lights customarily uses a branched candelabrum, with one candle lit for each of the eight days of the festival.
Perhaps the driftwood idea (above) could stretch to nine candles.
Balloons in the traditional Hannukah colors of blue, white, and silver are inexpensive to buy, compact to carry, and easy to dispose of – great for the RVer on the move.
Another simple idea is Star of David Confetti from (reasontoparty.com) sprinkled across the table
RV Christmas Decorations
A 2008 Good Sam survey found that about most of those who decorate at Christmas use a traditional tree, a wreath on the grill, or outdoor lights around the rig, There are many ways to brighten up the RV for Christmas that involve little bulk and less work. Easy to find, easy to store, easy to use ideas include
Bright Christmas napkins (small packages from dollar stores, just enough for the season)
Hang Christmas tree ornaments in small bunches on the wall. Inexpensive ornaments need not be stored.
A plastic gumdrop tree packs flat in a drawer while traveling. Use orange and black gumdrops for Hallowe'en; red, green and white for Christmas. If there are any gumdrops left after the holiday, bag 'em up and stow them by the dash for travel munchies.
Multicolored solar-power LED lighting can be set up easily around the site
New Years Decorations
According to an article titled "Chinese New Year Decorations" on the University of Victoria web site,
"Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray…
"On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper….For instance, 'May you enjoy continuous good health' and 'May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you' are especially positive couplets."
These Chinese customs are a wonderful idea, and totally suitable for the smaller RV.
Holiday decorating in an RV? It's a bit different from doing up the whole house. There's no room to tote around boxes of decorations. Instead, a little flexibility and creativity will go a long way.
The copyright of the article Fall Holiday Decorating Ideas for the RV in RV Culture is owned by Thomas Alan Gray. Permission to republish Fall Holiday Decorating Ideas for the RV in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Oct 9, 2009
