Outdoor Holiday Decorating Ideas
Decorate for the Winter Season with these Fun Tips
by Lauren Flanagan

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Instead of focusing all your energy on hanging Christmas lights and trimming the tree, spend some time decorating the outdoors with these holiday decorating ideas.

Add a touch of holiday magic to the outdoors this year with fun and easy holiday decorating ideas. Hang Christmas lights, decorate doors and porches, dress up windows, and go that extra mile this holiday season. Neighbors and passersby will thank you for it!

Here are some other outdoor décor ideas for the holidays:

Decorate Trees and Shrubs

Many of us decorate trees and put them in our homes at Christmas, but what about the trees that stay outside? Whether you have trees growing in the yard or potted versions on the patio, spruce them up with holiday decorations.

• Try highlighting trees and shrubs instead of just stringing them with lights. Tuck white, green, red, amber, or other colored spotlights under bushes and tree to provide a warm glow.
• Hang lights from tree branches. One way is to wrap strings of lights around tomato cages (or anything else you can think of in a pleasing shape) and hang them at varying heights from different branches.
• Faux candles (such as battery operated flameless candles) don't require extension cords and can look lovely when hung from trees. Try placing them in lanterns. They'll look great during the daytime as well as the night.
• Hang ornaments specifically made for the outdoors on trees. Or use fun items like old tin cookie-cutters. To keep it from looking tacky, don't just place them sporadically. Choose one or two trees in the yard (or on the balcony, porch, or deck) and decorate them in ornaments all one color. Affix a traditional large star on the top.

More Fun Outdoor Decorating Ideas

• Birdbaths tend to sit empty in the winter, so they might as well be dressed up. Fill them with water, cut up citrus fruits, and berries. The water will freeze leaving a lovely colorful display. (This idea works best in colder climates where animals don't roam.) If fruit isn't your thing top a birdbath with a wreath and topiary. It makes a great garden focal point.
• Purchase a couple of bunches of sticks and/or branches (white, red, natural brown, or a spray painted version) and place them in an urn on the balcony or porch. Decorate them with ornaments or lights.
• Lavish fence posts and arbors with lush garlands. Consider adding strings of lights. White is always the most elegant.
• Spray Styrofoam balls with fake snow and pile them in an urn near the front door. They'll look like snowballs just waiting to be thrown. For added visual interest toss in a few pinecones.
• String ornaments (old-fashioned tin or metal ones work well outside) and drape them along a fence like a swag. Or take large ornaments (such as a classic star-shaped tree toper) and hang/display them on wooden fences.

When it comes to outdoor decorating for the holiday season there's no shortage of great ideas. Simple or elaborate, outdoor holiday décor is warm, welcoming, and will turn your space into a holiday wonderland.

 

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Outdoor Holiday Decorating - Doors and Porches
Christmas Design Ideas for Outside the House
by Lauren Flanagan

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Don't let the indoors steal all the attention this holiday season. Greet guests and passersby with outdoor decorations rich in seasonal flair.
Decorating for the holidays is so much fun, and while many of us spend a lot of time decorating the inside of our homes, the outside is just as important. Along with the windows, doors and porches are fun to dress-up, as are driveways and walkways. Check out some of the following ideas for outdoor holiday decorating.

Decorate the Front Door for Christmas

The front door is the natural place to start when decorating the outdoors for the holidays.

 

 

Wreaths

Wreaths are the obvious choice, and the variety available is huge. Elaborate or simple, wreaths add a touch of elegance to any front door. If you want a natural wreath but don't want to spend a lot of money, purchase a plain pine, cedar, or boxwood version and fatten it up with items from the garden. Different types of leaves, pinecones, and berries make great additions. If a dressier look is desired add some velvet or satin ribbon.

Hanging a wreath is a traditional way to dress up a front door, but for something a little different, try hanging more than one. A fun look is to hang three in a vertical fashion.

Garlands

Garlands look lovely draped around doorframes. Like wreaths, pine and cedar garlands can be spruced up with additional embellishments. Try pinecones, berries, and other types of greenery, and also add weatherproof ribbons and strings of lights. Christmas lights around the front door are a welcoming beacon during the dark winter nights.

To hang garlands screw small eye hooks into the wood part of the frame and use floral wire to secure the garland. If there's no wood frame, use masonry nails to anchor the wire to brick. For a tailored look snap the garland at the corners.

Decorate the Porch for the Holidays

A warm and welcoming porch is a must for people who entertain guests over the holidays. Here are some ideas for decorating a front porch:

• Place long-lasting pillar candles in hurricane lamps along the front steps. Cylindrical glass vases work best to block wind and keep the candle from blowing out. Alternatively, use flameless candles. They look great and are widely available in hardware stores. Add red winterberries or cranberries in the bottom of the vase for added festive beauty.
• If there's a bench on the front porch spruce it up for the season. Add an arrangement of holiday greenery, branches, and ornaments. Place it in a container on the seat.
• Greenery-filled urns are lovely and can last a long time. One on either side of the door is a classic, uniform look.
• For the holiday season wrap posts, pillars, and railings in lush, lit garlands.
• Place a wire basket on a porch or near the front door. Fill it with greenery and large colorful glass ornaments for a simple but festive holiday welcome.
• Take items normally used for other purposes and dress them up and display them for the holidays. String colored lights around a bicycle, or embellish an old sled with greenery, pinecones, and lights. Old-fashioned and charming, they make great welcoming decorations next to the front door.

Decorate Driveways and Walkways

Long driveways and walkways also benefit from holiday decorations.

• Accent paths with candles and lanterns. Not only does it provide a warm welcome, it also helps to light the way.
• Place candles in galvanized metal pails filled with cranberries, pinecones, or other seasonal decorations and line the path. (Take the appropriate safety precautions and don't use anything flammable. Also make sure the candle is secure and won't fall over.) For added elegance, punch holes in the pail in a pleasing design. The light from the candle will provide a pleasant glow.
• Try hanging lanterns or some other type of lamp on long stakes or poles set into the ground (Shepherd's hooks work well and are available at most hardware stores.) If you don't want to use any kind of candle or light, hang ornaments on them. They'll add a nice splash of color against a snowy landscape during the day.

When it comes to decorating for the holidays don't neglect the outdoors. Front doors, porches, and walkways all deserve some attention.

After all, there's more to outdoor holiday decorating than just stringing lights on the house. Use some imagination and create a warm and festive welcome for friends and family.

 

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Outdoor Holiday Decorating Ideas - Windows
Don't Forget the Outdoors When Decorating for Christmas
by Lauren Flanagan

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Everyone loves decorating for the holidays and it's important to remember that outdoor decorations are just as important as those used indoors.
One of the most important areas to think about when decorating for the holidays is around the windows. They connect the inside and outside worlds and provide passersby a glimpse into your home. While it's also important to think about doors and porches, take some time to dress up the windows.

Frame Windows with Seasonal Decorations

Frame windows with strings of outdoor lights, but remember when using lights around windows to avoid the blinking variety. They can be distracting and bothersome to people inside.

Hang lush garlands and swags of foliage around windows. Embellish them with berries, pinecones, and ribbons if desired. They also look

Hang Wreaths in Windows

A wreath hanging over a window is a traditional way to dress up the outside of a home. While it looks good on a single window, even more impressive is to hang one on every window on the front façade of the house. Keep them all the same and then hang one on the door. If possible, make the one on the door a bit bigger than the ones hanging on the windows. When using several wreaths, try to keep them simple. Several overly embellished wreaths can overwhelm and start to look tacky.

To hang wreaths over windows, use fishing wire because it is clear and won't be noticed. Hang it from an anchor like a magnetic hook or a small nail in the window frame.

Decorate Window Boxes for the Holidays

Window boxes provide an excellent decorating opportunity in the winter.

• Fill them up with evergreen boughs, pinecones, berries, and holly for a festive and natural embellishment to a window. Add white outdoor lights for a soft glow.
• For a really simple display fill them up with large pinecones. Again, lights will enhance the effect. Easy and festive!
• Place large ornaments in window boxes for a colorful holiday display. Make sure the ornaments are appropriate for outdoor use, otherwise the finish might deteriorate in bad weather.
• Small boxwood trees look lovely and festive when evenly spaced out in a window box.

Decorate the Interior of the Windows

Use windows as a frame for the indoor decorations.

• If possible, place the Christmas tree near the window so that people outside will see it as they walk by.
• Place faux candles on the windowsill (faux so that they don't set fire to the curtains!). The look is cozy and inviting. Flameless, battery operated candles are widely available in hardware stores. Real candles can be used (they're safest when placed in clear glass vases), just make sure there are no fire hazards nearby.
• Hang pretty ornaments in front of windows. They can be hung from ribbons, necklace chains, or fishing line depending on what kind of look you're going for.

When it comes to holiday decorating don't forget to pay attention to the windows. Inside and out, they're one of the most important areas to dress up for the holidays.

 

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Simple Holiday Crafts - How to Make Ice Lanterns
A Cheap and Cheerful Winter Decorating Idea
by Lauren Flanagan

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When the weather outside turns frightful, cheer things up with an inexpensive winter favorite.
Stunning to behold, yet simple to make, ice lanterns are a beautiful and charming way to welcome guests on a cold winter's night. Set some on the porch or line driveways and walkways to create your very own winter wonderland.

When it comes to outdoor winter decorating it doesn't get any easier or any less expensive than homemade ice lanterns.

There are a few easy ways to make ice lanterns. Here are two:

Use a Balloon to Make an Ice Lantern

• Fill a balloon with water and place it in the freezer.
• Once it has partially frozen, remove it from the freezer.
• Carefully peel away the balloon.
• Poke a hole in the top big enough for a votive to fit through.
• Pour out any excess water.
• Drop a votive through the hole and light it with a barbecue lighter or fireplace match.

When making several of these, don't expect them to all look exactly the same. Depending on how frozen they are when the water is poured out, the area where the candle sits will be different. The thickness of the ice will vary, as will the amount of light that shines through.

Use a Bucket to Make an Ice Lantern

• Fill a large bucket about ¾ of the way full.
• Place a smaller container (such as a coffee can) inside the bucket and weigh it down with some rocks or other heavy items.
• Use duct tape to hold down the container. Place a strip (or two) across the top of the bucket to prevent the smaller container from bobbing up. The top of the small container should be about even with the top of the bucket.
• Leave the bucket outside overnight (if it's cold enough) or place it in the freezer. Wait until frozen.
• Run warm water over the bucket to loosen the ice inside and then remove the ice.
• Pour some warm water into the smaller container to loosen it and then remove. The area left is perfect for placing a pillar candle.

For a more decorative version of the above lantern, add small pieces of evergreen branches, citrus fruits, and cranberries into the bucket of water. When it freezes it will have an extra special decorative touch.

Keep in mind that ice lanterns don't have to be huge. They can easily be made on a smaller scale using smaller cups and tealights. Use smaller items to line the top of a fence or outdoor windowsill.

Ice lanterns will help turn any outdoor area into a winter wonderland. Use them to line sidewalks, driveways, paths, porches, or scatter them around the front and back yards when entertaining. Even if people don't venture outside, it will provide a lovely view when gazing out the window.

 

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Simple Craft Ideas - Make a Pinecone Wreath
Ideas for Outdoor Fall and Winter Decorating
by Lauren Flanagan

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Making a pinecone wreath is a simple and inexpensive holiday craft idea that looks just as good in the fall as it does in the winter

Wreaths are a great way to add a decorative touch to doors, and a pinecone wreath is a lovely ornament that looks just as great in the winter as it does in the fall. In fact, with just a few minor changes, a homemade pinecone wreath will last from the first days of autumn, through the Christmas holidays, and until the end of winter.

A pinecone wreath is a simple craft project that anyone can do. It's inexpensive and very few materials are required. While this can be a fun craft project for kids, remember that small children should always be supervised when using a hot glue gun.

Materials Needed for a Homemade Pinecone Wreath
• Circular Styrofoam wreath form
• Brown spray paint
• Enough pinecones to cover the form
• Hot glue gun and sticks
• Decorative ribbon (different colors for each season)

Instructions for Making a Pinecone Wreath
Begin in the fall by collecting pinecones. Try to find ones that are similar in size and not too big. Small and compact works best for this craft project. Remember that they can always be purchased in craft stores if you can't find what you're looking for in nature.

• Cover the Styrofoam form in brown spray paint to match the pinecones. Consider placing it in a box while painting to contain the spray paint and avoid making a mess.
• Use the hot glue gun to glue pinecones to the entire wreath (at the front and sides only), keeping the cones as close together as possible.
• The number of pinecones required depends on the size of the wreath and the size of the pinecones that have been selected. Use smaller pinecones to fill in spaces between larger pinecones.
• Use decorative ribbon to embellish the piece. A large satin bow tied around the bottom looks beautiful and glamorous. Use a color that matches the interior decorating scheme as it will give guests a sneak peak of what they will see inside. As the seasons change, change the ribbon. While a burnt orange can look spectacular in the fall, an elegant white or gold can be perfect for Christmas

Ways to Embellish a Pinecone Wreath
While pinecone wreaths are naturally beautiful and simple, they can be embellished in many ways if desired.

•Autumn – To keep with the natural theme of pinecones, tuck in other natural fall elements such as nuts and acorns, or cluster of berries. Either tuck them in snuggly between pinecones or attach with thin floral wire (where possible, such as with berry clusters).
• Winter – Winter flowers look timeless and elegant when tucked into a pinecone wreath. Try a few poinsettia blossoms tucked in at intervals throughout the wreath. Bits of evergreen also work well.
The great thing about these simple wreaths is that they can be embellished as much or as little as desired. They are equally beautiful filled with seasonal accessories as they are on their own.

There's no need to limit wreaths to the front door. Hang them on mailboxes, railings, fence posts, or any other areas around the exterior of your home.

 

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Winter Decorating Ideas - Cranberry Crafts
Add a Splash of Rich Color by Decorating with Fresh Cranberries
by Lauren Flanagan

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Holiday decorating doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a simple display can be the most effective. It's so easy to overdo it when it comes to holiday decorating, but elegance is often found in simplicity. So this season, keep things simple and decorate with one of nature's perfect décor accessories: the cranberry.

From table settings, to mantel displays, to garlands and topiaries, there's no end to the number of places that can be enhanced with a lovely cranberry display. Keep it simple or try something elaborate. Either way, the cranberry is a great building block for a number of décor ideas.

Here are a few cranberry craft ideas to get you started.

Display Candles with Cranberries
• Fill a clear cylinder vase about halfway with cranberries. Place a white or cream pillar candle on top (make sure the wick is lower than the top of the vase). Display a few of these together on a mantel or on a table. To add visual interest, fill the vases with different amounts of cranberries and use different sizes of candles.
• Take the above idea and tweak it a bit for the outdoors. Fill galvanized metal buckets with cranberries (or use something else to fill the pail and then layer cranberries on top) and then place a candle inside. Use several of these to line the driveway or front steps to welcome guests.
• Cranberries are buoyant and look great in water displays. Fill a vase about 2/3 of the way up, throw in a few cranberries, and then place a floating candle in the display. It's very simple and adds a rich splash of color to a floating candle display.
Cranberry Ornaments and Topiaries
• Use toothpicks that have been broken in half to attach cranberries to Styrofoam balls (available at craft stores). Cover the ball completely with berries and place them on top of shapely glass candlesticks for a stunning topiary. These look best in groups.
• Take the above idea and use them as ornaments to hang on a Christmas tree. Tie ribbon (white makes a beautiful contrast) around the ball to create a hanger. Or use a Styrofoam cone and make mini cranberry Christmas trees. Use three of varying heights and display them together on a table for a festive centerpiece.
• Using the same principals make a cranberry wreath. Hang it inside or outside.
Flower, Fruit, and Foliage Bouquets
Cranberries can be added to just about any floral bouquet to add color and festive flair.

More Cranberry Crafts
• Children will love having a personalized decoration in their rooms. Cut out a cardboard letter, or purchase one from a craft store, and use a hot glue gun to cover it with cranberries. (Make sure children are always supervised when using hot glue). Small versions of these monograms can be used as place cards at the table. If table space is limited place them on the napkin on the plate (rather than above the plate).
• Create garlands and put them all over the house. A sturdy needle and strong hands are needed to string cranberries (because they are very firm) but they're fairly simple to make. Drape them on trees, around stairway railings, on chandeliers, around doorways and windows, or anywhere else that a dash of festive color is desired.
Cranberries can be used in a number of different ways so use your imagination and get creative.

While decorating with cranberries, don't forget that they taste great too! Add them to shortbread, make a cranberry relish, and treat yourself to a holiday favorite – cranberry cider.

 

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