How to Decorate a Float for a Christmas Parade

How to Decorate a Float for a Christmas Parade
Christmas parades bring communities together to march in holiday cheer amid dazzling displays. Christmas parade floats are a staple of Christmas parades, with their glittering platforms displaying the splendor of Christmas decorations for all to see. Last season, we had the privilege of sharing the community spirit and representing Designer Christmas brands at the Sherman Christmas Parade. We learned a lot there, and we are passing on our knowledge of how to decorate a Christmas parade float to you!

Preparing to Decorate a Christmas Parade Float
All of the preparation required to decorate a car for a Christmas parade also applies to a Christmas parade float. Don't miss our top tips on how to prepare in Part 1 of our Christmas Parade Series, How to Decorate a Car for a Christmas Parade.

Preparing to decorate a Christmas parade float differs from preparing to decorate a car for a parade in several significant ways. You may find that decorating a float is easier to manage if you have more team members, as decorating a float is larger than decorating a car. A float requires a higher budget than a car, as you will need to pay for the float base (usually a trailer), as well as additional supplies and decorations. The vehicle you choose is key to being able to pull your float, and for trailers ranging from standard to larger, the best options are trucks or SUVs. In addition to the power source for your parade vehicle, you'll also need your Christmas parade float to have its own power source.

When planning your float decorations, use drawings or images to plan which decorations should go where on your float. This sketch doesn't have to be visually appealing -- just a clear, detailed image to establish and reinforce your vision for how your float should be decorated. Who knows...if your parade gives out awards, the ideas in this sketch might turn into a float and win the title of "Best Float" in your Christmas parade!

 

Also identify a location that has enough space to assemble decorations and decorate the float itself. For creative decorations that require assembly, such as structures and props, spaces like garages work well. To decorate your float, consider a spacious yard, shed, or barn. Communicate among your team to see who has the right space to build a Christmas parade float, or work together to secure a suitable location. If you live in a colder climate, you may find the idea of ​​decorating your float in a shed or barn more desirable.

 

Finally, in preparation, make sure your team has enough time to complete everything needed to create a beautiful, well-made float. Installing the decorations may take more than a day, so make sure you plan your space, vehicles, and trailer accordingly.

Building a Christmas Parade Float

Choosing a Float Foundation
The first step in creating a Christmas parade masterpiece is to choose a float foundation. One convenient way to do this is to decorate on top of a flatbed trailer. You can also choose to build the float platform on top of a vehicle (such as a car or truck), although parade floats tend to be built on the flat platform of a trailer or truck.

 

Depending on the materials and choices you have available, your trailer may not be completely flat from the middle to all edges, as some trailers (mostly utility trailers) may have railings around the perimeter of the trailer. The railings of the trailer will partially block the view of your Christmas parade float decorations. You can solve this problem by building a new floor that is flush with the top of the railings.

 

Lay one or more layers of wood pallets on the trailer floor. Ideally, the pallets should be flush with the top of the railings so that you can place the plywood on top of the pallets to create an even layer. Place the pallets close together so they are secured together. The pallets also need to be secured to the floor to prevent them from moving and sliding. Once the pallets are installed, place the plywood sheets on the pallets and secure them to create your raised floor layer.

 

You may need to cut some of the plywood so that the new floor is within the boundaries of the trailer's perimeter, or you may choose to add what is called an apron to cover the trailer's wheels for a neat look. It is easiest to add an apron when the plywood on the floor you made extends to the edge of the trailer. Attach sides of plywood that are long enough to the edge of the plywood overhang to cover part of the wheels. Make sure both sides are a safe distance from the wheels and that both sides are far enough off the ground to prevent impacts from hitting bumps or potholes.

 

Many types of flatbed trailers, as well as utility trailers, have wheel wells that partially protrude from the trailer's floor. The trailer's wheel wells won't obstruct much of the view of your Christmas parade float display. However, if you want the cleanest display, you can build a new floor that's flush with or slightly above the top of the wheel wells.

For multi-story floats, you can create a platform using more pallets and plywood. Stack more pallets for a taller platform. The platform can elevate the decorations and signs you choose. Use decorations and lights to highlight certain decorations and signs on the platform to create a focal point.

Float Trailer Sizes
Trailers come in a variety of sizes. For Christmas parade floats, trailers can range from 8 feet to over 20 feet in length. Your parade may have regulations for float trailer size.

Longer trailers give you more display space and more decorations, but this requires more supplies and a larger budget. Larger trailers also require more towing power from a truck or SUV.

 

Decorating a Christmas Parade Float
Float Flooring
Floal cloth is a popular choice for parade float flooring because it sets an attractive, frilly texture for a colorful stage. You can find floral fabrics with shiny or metallic finishes. Vinyl or Mylar are other good choices for an aesthetically pleasing covering on your trailer floor.

 

Float Tassels
Tassels, or fringes, are a fun decoration that goes around the bottom edge of the float while hiding the trailer's metal rim and wheels. Tassels look great when the color matches the trailer's decorative floor. Take inspiration from beloved Christmas hues and pair red floors with green tassels or vice versa.

Tassels hang down and are usually 15 and 30 inches long for lower or higher clearances, respectively. Tassels are usually attached to the metal rim around the perimeter of the trailer and can be attached to the surface with tape or a strong tape like packing tape.

Structures and Props
Christmas parade floats are great for holiday-themed structures and props to put the best Christmas sign in front of parade goers. For structures, think gingerbread houses, sleighs, igloos, and other structures that your float can bring to life. Structures can be made from recycled materials like furniture or tires, so be open-minded and creative with how you can put them together. If your decorations fit the parade theme (if there is one), your float will share the holiday spirit harmoniously with the other parade participants.

 

Christmas Trees and Presents
A Christmas tree surrounded by presents evokes the gift-giving of Christmas! This classic scene is sure to delight the family. Wrap cardboard boxes in pretty wrapping paper, tie a bow on them, and surround your indoor Christmas tree with these prop presents for an idyllic holiday scene. Smaller tabletop Christmas trees also make lovely centerpieces in winter-themed float displays.

Christmas Light Strings
Lights are perfect for nighttime parades and offer a variety of ways to decorate. Wrap your Christmas tree with bright strings, install decorative lights along the edge of a trailer, or line the structure on a Christmas parade float. Arrange lights in patterns on a surface, or spell out a message with lights. If you want to decorate with the brightest lights that illuminate the night, look no further than 5mm wide-angle cone lights.

Logos
Represent your brand, share a holiday message, or both with a logo. Let everyone know who you are with a logo that features your company or organization's branding. Consider installing lights around your logo so everyone along the route can notice them.

Sound Systems
Fill the air with the sweet sounds of Christmas songs parade goers know and love by installing a sound system on your float. Music makes your Christmas parade float feel alive. Music also has a powerful effect on the audience and inspires people to connect to your brand like nothing else can. You can use a large Bluetooth speaker to play music, but a system that connects directly to the music playing device prevents connection issues that can occur between the Bluetooth speaker and the music playing device. Also consider using a stereo or speakers to play music. Your parade may have rules regarding playing music on floats, so check your parade guidelines.

Bubble or Snow Machines
These machines add a lively vibe to the scene for kids by adding extra effects. Not only do bubbles or snowflakes make your Christmas parade float stand out, but they also make it more memorable.

Bonus Tip: Don't place garlands around the base of your float!
During Sherman's parade, we learned to avoid placing garlands around the base of our floats. The zip ties used to secure the garlands could not withstand the bumps on the parade route. The shaking and movement caused by the bumps caused the garlands to sag and eventually get caught on the wheels of the trailer a few times. It was a hassle to deal with this during the parade. Choose products carefully for decorating your Christmas parade float and make sure each decoration is secure so it doesn't move or fall off the float.