Outdoor Holiday Decorating - Doors and Porches
Christmas Design Ideas for Outside the House
Oct 2, 2009
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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