Outdoor Christmas Decor

Decorating your home and yard for Christmas is a time-honored tradition. It’s often featured in movies and television shows, where neighbors compete to create the most extravagant displays. Although you can always go extravagant if that’s your style, you don’t need to be visible from space to have a festive and Christmassy yard.

The Best Outdoor Christmas Decorations

When it comes to outdoor Christmas decor, the sky is the limit. Outdoor Christmas decorations are a great way to express your personal style. The best decor is whatever makes you smile when you see it.

The most important thing is to make sure whatever decor you choose is weatherproof. Outdoor decor has to withstand some of the harshest weather all year in many climates, and you’d hate for your meticulously crafted display to get ruined by the first big snowstorm.

Decorating Your Front Door for Christmas

Front door Christmas decorations need to be small enough that they don’t get in the way as you come and go. One of the most popular outdoor Christmas decorations for the front door is the humble wreath.

You can get wreaths in all shapes, sizes, and materials. Choose a plain evergreen wreath for something classic and minimalist, or go wild with a wreath made entirely of sparkling ornaments. Front door wreaths are a great way to show your personality and give guests a glimpse of what to expect from the rest of your decor inside the house.

Decorating Your Porch for Christmas

The porch is a great place to put a big display of standing decor since it won’t be too in your way and can make the porch look festive. Add festive holiday signage to direct Santa to your door, or light up some miniature Christmas trees surrounded by fake gifts. Just don’t hang any heirloom ornaments on them.

If you still use your porch during the winter, add items that will keep you cozy such as throw blankets or shawls. If you have an uncovered porch, consider installing an awning to keep the snow off your seat.

Finally, the most iconic Christmas decor is the twinkle light. Don’t forget to include plenty of lights in your porch display. Hang them from the porch roof, wrap them around the railing, or outline your front door or windows.

Decorating Your Yard for Christmas

What kind of Christmas yard decorations you choose will depend on the size of your yard, your budget, and any local regulations. Many people favor inflatable yard characters such as Frosty and Santa because they’re fun and festive and easy to set up.

For a similar effect with a little more class, choose lighted mesh figures such as reindeer. You can also add giant ornaments or candy canes to your display for a larger-than-life effect.

Remember, too, that Christmas trees aren’t just for indoors. Cover the trees already in your yard with lights, or add a faux evergreen or two to illuminate. If you add ornaments, make sure they’re secured against the wind and weather — and choose unbreakable plastic ones, just in case.