Outdoor Holiday Decorating Ideas - Windows
Don't Forget the Outdoors When Decorating for Christmas
Oct 2, 2009
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 lovely with lights.
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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