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Thinking of ways to bring festive holiday cheer to your outdoor setting? Consider the magic of outdoor Christmas decorations.
Discover in this post how to evoke the Christmas mood outdoors by decorating your exterior front door or windows, lighting up your driveway, or creatively decorating your lawn. How about adding outdoor candles, figurines, or hanging frosty banners?
Continue reading and be inspired to not only learn the art of outdoor holiday decor but also radiate the warmth of the season throughout your home.
Hang Heartwarming Wreaths
Bring out the enchantment of the festive holiday by hanging wreaths outside your home.
You can hang them on fences, exterior windows and doors, gates, garage doors, lamp posts, garden sheds, outdoor mirrors, or outdoor structures like pergolas. While these are viable options, maintain symmetry and balance for a harmonious display.
Before hanging any wreath, you need to consider a few factors. Take the example of an exterior front door; when hanging a wreath on it, consider the following:
1. The Size Of Your Front Door
You don’t want to choose a wreath that is too small or too big for your door, or it may overwhelm or underserve it. Hence, it’s imperative to know the size of your front door.
Standard doors commonly measure 3 feet (36 inches) in width and 6 feet in length. However, variations can be found, ranging from 3 to 3.6 feet (36 to 42 inches) in width and 6 to 6.8 feet (72 to 82 inches) in length.
The most common wreath size for these sizes of doors is 24 inches in diameter because they provide an impressive visual appeal. To ensure a balanced look and to enhance your outdoor Christmas setting, hang the wreath 14 inches from the top of the door. To center it perfectly, leave a 6-inch gap on either side of the wreath.
If you prefer hanging a large wreath between 32 and 36 inches, position it 12 inches from the top of the door. However, for a 36-inch wreath, consider placing it on a less frequently used door to allow for easy opening and closing without interference.
2. Color Of The Door
Carefully consider the color of your door before selecting a wreath. Opt for a contrasting color if you have a dark door, such as black, gray, indigo, olive green, chestnut blue, or slate blue, to name a few.
For example, a black door pairs well with a green wreath adorned with silver and white ball decorations. Alternatively, you can use red and gold balls.
For a neutral door such as gray, a classic green wreath with red, gold, silver, or white accents can do wonders. In essence, aim to coordinate the color of the wreath with that of your door to create a well-balanced and inviting entrance.
And remember to maintain the theme of your interior with your outdoor Christmas decorations.
3. Materials For Making Wreaths
Outdoor wreaths should be made from materials that can withstand the cold temperatures outside. You can choose to hang either artificial or natural wreaths, but first, find out the pros and cons of each and make your decision.
Artificial wreaths can endure harsh winter conditions and have a long lifespan, although they may become brittle and fade over time.
As for natural wreaths, they can last between four and eight weeks. However, their longevity relies on factors such as temperature, the amount of natural light, and moisture levels. Thus, hanging a natural wreath in cold weather with indirect sunlight can last between six and eight weeks.
After considering the above factors, you are now ready to hang a wreath of your choice on your exterior front door.
How To Hang Outdoor Christmas Wreath On Exterior Front Door
Here’s a simple guide on how to hang the wreath on your door:
Materials Needed
- Wreath
- Adhesive hook or over-the-door wreath hanger
The following are steps for hanging a Christmas wreath on your exterior:
- Use an over-the-door wreath hanger that fits over the top of your door, or use adhesive hooks designed for doors.
- If using over-the-door hangers, place the top hook over the door. For adhesive hooks, follow the instructions in the package for proper placement.
- Adjust the height of the hanger so that the wreath hangs at the level desired.
- Hook the wreath onto the hanger, ensuring it is secured in place.
- If you’re concerned about the wreath moving, use floral wire, zip ties, or decorative ribbon to tie the wreath to the hanger.
Dazzle Your Driveway
Decorating a driveway with decorative lights can create a festive and inviting atmosphere. But, before fixing the driveway lights, consider the following factors:
1. Choose Type Of Outdoor Christmas Lights
Select the type of driveway lights you desire for the festive season. You can choose from different Christmas light shapes like the snowflake, tree, star, or the C7 and C9 which are elongated ovals. It depends on your preference as there are many varieties to choose from.
What’s more? These lights are available in faceted, opaque, or transparent lights.
- Faceted lights refer to bulbs with a textured surface with multiple small, flat faces, otherwise known as facets. These facets reflect light to create a sparkling effect when the lights are illuminated. Faceted outdoor Christmas lights have a more traditional look.
- Opaque Christmas outdoor lights are bulbs that are non-transparent with one solid color. Due to the internal filament or LED components being invisible, these lights produce a softer and less intense lighting effect.
- Transparent outdoor Christmas lights are clear or see-through, allowing the internal filament or LED components to be visible when the lights are illuminated. These lights produce a bright glow in your outdoor Christmas ambiance.
2. Choose Colors For Outdoor Christmas Lights
You can set the tone for an outdoor Christmas ambiance by using different outdoor light colors. For this, stick to the classic Christmas hues such as red, green, white, gold, silver, and blue. However, you can try other colors or combinations to match your décor style.
3. Decide Between LED And Incandescent Lights
If you love a traditional outdoor Christmas, incandescent Christmas lights are your bet. The downside with these lights is that they pose a potential fire hazard. This is because they can get very hot and cause a flammable material it’s in direct contact with to catch fire.
Below are the pros and cons of incandescent lights:
| Pros | Cons |
| Low upfront cost | Expensive to operate |
| Easy to install | Less Durable |
These lights are best if you plan to use them for a very short period and are not ready to spend much.
On the other hand, LED Christmas lights utilize light-emitting diode technology, hence they pose less of a fire hazard.
Below are the pros and cons of LED lights:
| Pros | Cons |
| Boasts an array of color options | High initial costs |
| Can last for decades | Lacks the warm glow found in incandescent lights |
Also, they are the best if you want lights that will last for years and are worried about potential fire hazards.
How To Decorate Your Driveway With Christmas String Lights
With many options for decorating your outdoors, we shall lead you on how to light up your driveway with Christmas lights. Below is a step-by-step guide:
- Measure on either side of the driveway to know the length of the string lights that you need. Ensure, too that they are long enough from the power outlet, all the way to the end of the driveway.
- Designate a pathway for the lights along either side of the driveway.
- Clear any debris along this path to install the lights without obstacles.
- Attach the lights to the stakes.
- Afterward, press the stakes one by one firmly into the ground along the driveway, while adequately spacing the lights. For example, if you use C9 string lights, the ideal spacing between the lights is 18 inches apart.
- To test the lights, connect the plug to the power outlet.
- If you do not have an outdoor power outlet near the driveway, consider using an outdoor extension cord to reach a suitable indoor power supply. However, only use waterproofed cords and those designed for outdoor use.
- Lay the extension cords along the ground, while securing them using clips to avoid tripping over them.
Precautions To Observe:
- If installing outdoor lights seems challenging, seek assistance from an electrician. Prioritize safety over inconvenience.
- To safeguard against electrical shock and protect the electrical system in your home, opt for an electrical power outlet with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) when installing outdoor Christmas lights.
- When using extension cords, place them in safe areas like along walls, behind bushes, or pillars. This ensures they do not run across walkways to prevent tripping. Also, avoid placing them in low areas that may turn into puddles during rain or snowmelt.
- Opt for alternative sources of power such as solar or battery-powered lights because they are safer.
Check out the video below on how to install outdoor Christmas string lights along the driveway:
Dazzle Your Lawn
You can also dazzle your lawn by wiring the shrubs, bushes, and trees with string lights. Or, you can add light-up figurines such as a herd of reindeer, Santa with a sleigh and reindeer, or Santa with a sack of gifts. Other light-up figures include miniature Christmas trees, angels with wings, or oversized flameless candles.
There’s a variety to choose from.
How To Decorate Bushes With Outdoor Christmas Lights
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to wire your bushes with Christmas string lights:
Materials Needed
- Christmas string lights
- Outdoor-rated extension cord (if needed)
- Male and female connectors on the lights
Method
- Identify the bushes you want to decorate.
- Trim the bushes to make them neat and remove any debris around and on them.
- Assess the appropriate length of string lights you need for the bushes or the size of Christmas lights net you will need. Generally, small bushes no more than three feet tall and wide will need a 5-foot square Christmas lights net.
- If you prefer string lights, take one end that has the male plug and place it closest to the outdoor power outlet.
- Lay the string lights along the path you have designated for it, and start wiring the first bush from the top, moving downwards in spirals until you reach the bottom.
- Continue wiring the second bush with the same strand of Christmas string lights from the first bush.
- When one strand of string lights is used up, connect the male connector (prongs that stick out) of one strand to the female connector (slots or receptacles) of another strand. This creates a seamless transition between strands, prevents tripping hazards, and maintains a tidy appearance.
- If you are using the Christmas lights net, lay it evenly over the bush, while pulling a few branches through to secure it in place.
- Test the lights by connecting the male plug to the outdoor power outlet and replace any faulty bulbs.
Points To Note
- Check the electrical capacity of your outlet and avoid exceeding the recommended wattage to prevent circuit overload. You are better off using a dedicated outlet purely for connecting outdoor Christmas decorations.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the number of strands of Christmas lights that can be connected.
- To dazzle your bush sufficiently, nestle the wires a little inside the bush, avoiding going too far in such that the lights get lost beneath the foliage.
- If you have a thick bush, nestle one set of lights further into the bushes and another one near the surface of the bush.
- Confirm that the string lights you intend to use are explicitly designed for outdoor use.
How To Install Light-Up Outdoor Christmas Reindeers
Decorating your lawn with light-up Christmas figurines is a wonderful way of infusing your outdoors with enchanting holiday vibes.
It’s a good idea to purchase outdoor Christmas figurines that come with stakes or some form of ground attachment for securing them to the ground.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to install an outdoor Christmas reindeer on your lawn:
Materials Needed
- Light-up reindeer decorations
- Sturdy ground stakes
- Rubber mallet or hammer
- Measuring tape
- Optional: Outdoor-rated extension cord
Method
- Choose a suitable location in your lawn or garden where you want to install the reindeer decorations. Ensure the ground is relatively flat for stability.
- Carefully unpack the reindeer decorations.
- Using a tape measure, decide on the desired spacing between each reindeer to create a balanced display.
- Position the first reindeer at the designated point and insert the stakes into the ground. Use a rubber mallet or hammer to gently tap the stakes into the soil ensuring the reindeer is stable and doesn’t wobble.
- Maintaining the desired spacing, repeat the process for each reindeer.
- If the reindeer decorations have built-in lights or you want to add string lights, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting and securing the lights. Use outdoor-rated extension cords if needed.
Wrap Up
To bring the festive spirit outdoors, this guide shows you how to transform your exterior space into a Christmas holiday cheer. From the charm of wreaths to the enchantment of driveway lights, dazzling bushes, and light-up figurines, each element contributes to a magical Christmas ambiance.
You can read our previous post about decorating your indoors without a Christmas tree.