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.
Step 1: Create a Décor Plan
Before you start, we recommend creating a timeline, list down a few Christmas decoration ideas for outdoors, and consider your:
- Home Style - Keep the architectural type, color scheme, landscaping, and pathways in mind.
- 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.
- Placement - 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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.
- 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.
Step 6: 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.
The 10 Best Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Here are some of Balsam Hill’s most popular outdoor Christmas décor:
Outdoor Boxwood Foliage
Our manicured boxwood foliage blends both modern and traditional styles, effortlessly elevating any space. Display these all year round and just add festive accents when the next Christmas season rolls around.
Outdoor Berry Burst Foliage
With its classic Christmas hues, this foliage collection brings holiday cheer to your outdoor spaces. Paired with lanterns and cone trees, this festive greenery creates a merry welcome for friends and family, as well as neighbors and passers-by.
Outdoor Magnolia Ridge Foliage
Designed with lifelike magnolia leaves, faux succulents, red berries, and natural pinecones, this is a lively addition to your outdoor décor. Hang it on your front door and flank both sides with the potted arrangement.
Greenwich Estates® Pine Trees
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.
Outdoor Merry Christmas Ornaments Set
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.
Outdoor Letters to Santa Mailbox
Send your merry wishes on their merry way to the North Pole with this fun Letters to Santa Mailbox. It features a functioning hatch so your loved ones can leave letters or surprise gifts just in time for Christmas Day.
Outdoor Lit Wire Sculptures Set
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.
Holiday Lantern with LED Candles
Equipped with three flameless candles, these lanterns add a warm holiday glow to any space. They feature pinecones, red wired bow, bells, red berries, mixed foliage, red berries, and evergreens.
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.
Outdoor Cascading Micro LED Lights
From cozy gatherings to festive parties, these 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
What Do You Decorate a Patio With for Christmas?
To decorate a patio for Christmas, consider using a combination of festive greenery, lights, and decorative elements. Popular choices include wreaths, garlands, and potted plants like poinsettias, complemented by string lights, lanterns, and themed decorations such as reindeer or Santa figures.
How Can I Make My House Look Festive for Christmas?
You can make your home festive by decorating with a Christmas tree, wreaths, and garlands while adding warm lighting indoors and outdoors. Accent your décor with ornaments, ribbons, and seasonal colors to create a cozy, inviting holiday atmosphere. Using high-quality pieces, like those from Balsam Hill, ensures your decorations look elegant and last for years.
How Do You Make a Porch Beautiful?
To create a beautiful porch, start with a seasonal wreath on your door and frame it with garlands or string lights. Add lanterns, planters, and cozy accents like outdoor pillows or a doormat that reflect the holiday theme. For Christmas, touches of greenery and twinkling lights make your porch warm and welcoming.
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