Festive outdoor Christmas décor is a wonderful way to welcome family and friends into your home. You’re also sharing Christmas cheer not just with guests, but neighbors and passers-by. In this article, we share a few ideas for Christmas decorations for outside you can try this year.
Create a Décor Plan
Decorating for the holidays can both be fun and overwhelming. Before you start, we recommend preparing a plan first to help you organize the process. Create a timeline, list down a few Christmas decoration ideas for outdoors, and consider the following:
Home Style
Keep the architectural type, color scheme, landscaping, and pathways in mind. Determine which outdoor areas you want to decorate. These can be the front porch, patio, lawn, backyard, or garden.
Pick a Theme
Outdoor Christmas themes can be anything from a festive winter wonderland to an enchanted forest. Once you’ve decided on one, identify key items that will pull the look together. A simple way to make your décor appear seamless is to use the same motif for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Placement
When thinking of Christmas decorations ideas for outside the house, remember that holiday lawn decorations vary in size but tend to run larger so they’re visible from afar. Consider the scale of your garden or yard when deciding where to place them. Make sure they’re positioned so they don’t block walkways or prevent you from seeing the driveway or road.
Greet Guests With Festive Foliage
Christmas greenery is an effortless way to update your home’s exterior for the holidays. Here are a few outdoor Christmas decorating ideas for your porch:
- Hang an outdoor Christmas wreath, garland, or both on your doors and window frames.
- Echo the look with the same type of foliage arranged in pots or baskets.
- Attach window boxes to sills and on top of handrails or a bench.
- Wind outdoor garlands around columns or drape them along railings and fences.
- Add color to your mailbox with a decorative swag.
Set Up a Christmas Tree
There’s nothing quite like the magic and joy that Christmas trees bring. Why not share it with others, including passers-by? Most artificial trees are safe to use in covered outdoor areas. They make for elegant Christmas décor outside your home and are perfect for the front porch.
If you don’t have enough space for a big tree, try small or potted Christmas trees. Flank the steps with tree clusters or align them symmetrically to frame the doorway. Leave them undecorated to enjoy their natural beauty or style them like your main Christmas tree.
Add Warm and Homey Accents
Add warmth and glow to entertaining spaces with plush textiles and lights. Try these Christmas decorating ideas for your deck or patio:
- String up lights around the area to create an inviting atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
- Group candles of different heights and set them on the coffee table for additional lighting.
- Make outdoor seating cozy and comfortable with pillows and throws.
- Style a bar or beverage cart and fill it up with fixings for coffee, hot cocoa, and tea.
Design an Inviting Christmas Tablescape
If the weather permits, the back patio or deck is a lovely spot for entertaining family and friends. Create an elegant holiday outdoor tablescape with these simple layering techniques:
- Instead of a regular runner, use a decorated Christmas garland that spans the length of your table.
- Add taper or pillar candles of varying heights within the foliage to add dimension to your table setting and create a soothing ambience.
- If you’re worried about the flame going out from the breeze, use LED flameless candles or set them inside glass hurricanes, cloches, or small lanterns.
- Layer your tableware. Start with a charger, dinner plate, salad plate, then a napkin. Finish your setting with a distinctive touch like a handwritten place card or personalized party favor.
Make It Dazzle at Night
Draw attention to your outdoor Christmas décor in the evenings by keeping exterior spaces well-lit. For the porch and patio, use outdoor Christmas lights to frame doors, windows, and ceilings. You can even use them to decorate nearby trees. Create a welcoming sight in the evening with pre-lit Christmas trees, greenery, or potted plants.
Another beautiful way to light your exterior spaces is to use lanterns and LED candles. They’re versatile and safe to use outdoors. Place them on the ground as pathway Christmas lights. Use them to frame doorways or as charming outdoor table décor.
Insider's Tip
Make sure wires are covered so they don’t pose safety risks. For more convenience and decorating flexibility, choose battery-operated foliage. This eliminates the hassle of stringing the lights yourself. Not to mention doing away with long power cords and outlets.
The 10 Best Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Here are some of Balsam Hill’s most popular outdoor Christmas décor:
1. Outdoor Boxwood Foliage
Our manicured boxwood foliage blends both modern and traditional styles, effortlessly elevating any space. Pre-lit with warm white LED lights, each piece in this collection features realistic boxwood leaves coated with UV protection. Display these all year long and just add festive accents when the next Christmas season rolls around.
2. Outdoor Berry Burst Foliage
With its classic Christmas hues, our Outdoor Berry Burst Foliage brings holiday cheer to your outdoor spaces. This collection is available as a wreath, garland, and potted tree to complete your decorating theme. Paired with lanterns and cone trees, this festive greenery creates a merry welcome for friends and family, as well as neighbors and passers-by.
3. Outdoor Magnolia Ridge Foliage
Designed with lifelike magnolia leaves, faux succulents, red berries, and natural pinecones, the Outdoor Magnolia Ridge Foliage is a lively addition to your outdoor décor. Hang the wreath and garland on your front door and flank both sides with the potted arrangement. Use the matching window box to spruce up the windows or porch railings.
4. Greenwich Estates® Pine Trees
Timeless and versatile, our Greenwich Estates Pine Trees can be staked to the lawn or displayed in a decorative planter for a stately appeal. The lush foliage is decorated with mini pinecones and pre-lit with clear LED lights for that charming holiday glow. Display them in groups on the porch or patio to create a mini tree grove.
5. Outdoor Merry Christmas Ornaments Set
This pair of oversized ornaments makes a festive holiday statement for your lawn, porch, or front door. Coated with a clear UV-resistant finish to keep the colors vibrant through many seasons, each ornament is designed with a flat base to keep them steady and secure. Set them on the steps or the yard to create a fun and festive look for your outdoor spaces.
6. Outdoor Festive Antiqued Deer
Create an enchanted woodland scene with our Outdoor Festive Antiqued Deer. Available in two designs, each deer features removable foliage with cedar, buxus, red berries, and eucalyptus leaves. The antlers are also removable to give you more flexibility with your decorations.
7. Outdoor Lit Wire Sculptures Set
Handcrafted from all-weather wicker, our Outdoor Lit Wire Sculptures are available as set of cone trees or orbs. Each piece is pre-lit with LED fairy lights to give you that magical glow for the holidays. Arranged together or individually, these wicker decorations give outdoor spaces an elegant look throughout the season.
8. Holiday Lantern with LED Candles
Equipped with three flameless candles, these lanterns add a warm holiday glow to any space. The Holiday Classic Lantern features a black finish with pinecones, red wired bow, bells, red berries, and mixed foliage, while the Red Berry Pinecone Lantern features a red finish decorated with red berries, evergreens, and pinecone accents.
9. Solar Merry Metallics Pathway Lights
Brighten up the way to your home with our Solar Merry Metallics Pathway Lights. Perfect for your front lawn and garden, these lights are available in red or gold and offered as a set of four. Charge them under the sun for six hours and their power will last for 18 hours. Includes 40-inch metal stakes and 1 AA 1 rechargeable battery.
10. Outdoor Cascading Micro LED Lights
From cozy gatherings to festive parties, our Outdoor Cascading Micro LED lights set the scene for memorable celebrations. Hang them from ceilings, tree branches, or window bays to create a welcoming ambience for your outdoor spaces. Choose from a range of lighting options to set the mood – flashing, cascading strobe, steady, or dim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we answer common questions about outdoor Christmas décor ideas:
How Do I Decorate My Porch for Christmas?
Start with wreaths, garlands, and other festive greenery, like poinsettias in planters. Add warm, cozy furnishings like throw pillows and blankets on your porch swing. Hang string lights to cast a welcoming glow over your porch. Consider themed décor pieces like giant ornaments, Santa Claus figurines, and reindeer to complete the look.
How Do I Protect My Outdoor Christmas Decorations?
Ensure your decorations are all constructed from weatherproof materials and rated for outdoor use. Secure decorations with stakes, zip ties, or heavy-duty clips to keep them in place during high winds.
Spread the holiday warmth and cheer all season long. With these outdoor Christmas decoration ideas for your home, you’re well on your way to having the most inviting house in the neighborhood.
Learn More About Outdoor Decorations
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