Once the stockings are hung and the tree is decorated, extend your Christmas decor to the outdoors. Welcome holiday guests with an assortment of DIY outdoor Christmas decorations to add some cheer to your porch, yard, or front walkway.
To help you create curb appeal that Clark Griswold himself would approve of, we’ve put together our favorite DIY outdoor Christmas decor ideas. These clever Christmas crafts will inspire you to get creative with things you already have around the house: Repurpose popsicle sticks, excess ornaments, or pine cones into bright holiday decorations. Or, buy a few new staple pieces you can turn into seasonal decor you’ll use year after year.
These Christmas decoration ideas will be the envy of the neighborhood this season.
Update an Outdoor Lantern
Jay Wilde
Transform a plain candle lantern into a festive DIY outdoor Christmas decoration by adding white glitter to the bottom of the container to create a snowy base, then add holiday figurines to make your scene come to life. If you don’t already have a lantern, you can usually find inexpensive options at most craft stores. Reindeer and greenery give a classic Christmas look, but you could also create a nativity scene or winter wonderland. Adding an electric tea light will give the lantern a warm, cozy look you can still see at night.
Create a Farmhouse Basket
Even if you don’t have much time for crafting, you can still make DIY outdoor Christmas decorations that look polished and festive. Add a plaid ribbon to a plain woven basket to instantly make it look specifically designed for a Christmas display. Then, fill the basket with greenery, birch branches, ornaments, pine cones, or whatever excess decor pieces you have on hand. This would also be a pretty way to store kindling by the fireplace.
Decorate a Mailbox
Turn a vintage mailbox into a gorgeous greenery display by rotating it and adding festive ribbon and fresh, fragrant greenery. Keep the greens fresh by adding a vase to the inside of the mailbox, and don’t forget to change the water every few days. Keep the display neutral for a farmhouse Christmas look, or take the classic holiday route by spray-painting the mailbox a bright red that can be spotted all the way from Santa’s sleigh.
To collect your mail while your mailbox is on Christmas duty, place a festively decorated basket on a small table outside your front door. Surprise your mail delivery person with a few holiday treats for an extra dose of Christmas spirit.
Hang Handmade Snowflakes
Carson Downing
This inexpensive Christmas craft doubles as an activity the whole family can enjoy. Paint clean popsicle sticks a frosty blue color and add glitter to give them a sparkly glimmer reminiscent of fresh snow. Then, create snowflake shapes by cutting or breaking some of the sticks in half and securing them with glue. String the snowflakes into a garland or hang them on your front windows with a transparent fishing line. If you have a two-story home, decorate the windows upstairs as well to add an extra boost of snowy cheer to visitors and passersby.
Up the Cute Factor with Gnomes
Who knew greenery, a dryer ball, a pot, and a piece of fabric could be so cute? Gnomes have always been a quirky staple of Christmas decor, and these DIY gnome porch decorations are as sweet as they are creative. Scale this project up or down depending on your vision and space, and if gnomes make you smile, add some handmade little guys to your tree.
Make a Modern Wreath
Your Christmas carolers will never guess this gorgeous modern farmhouse wreath is made from spray-painted hula hoops. This DIY outdoor Christmas decoration is a cost-effective way to make a dramatic statement with your outdoor holiday decor without blowing your budget. To make it, wire two painted hula hoops together, then add faux branches and an oversized plaid bow.
Bear with the Holidays
Create your own Christmas polar bear by gluing a large and small mixing bowl together, the small on top of the large, and giving them a fresh coat of paint. The ears, eyes, and nose can be painted on (be sure to use weather-proof paint for this project), or you can use adhesive foam shapes if you plan to hang the display on a covered porch. Add a colorful scarf and hang this festive figure on your front door using a wreath hook. Accent the display with bright accessories like a colorful winter blanket and red boots sitting ready for snowy walks.
Put Together a Swag Wreath
A swag is a lovely wreath alternative for a DIY outdoor Christmas decoration that can be made without all the effort of weaving greenery into a wreath form. Swags typically fan out from a central point at the top, so they’re much easier to put together and can be customized quickly. Make your own DIY swag wreath using evergreen branches, ribbon, red berries, and any other accents you like. Make it with faux greenery so you can use it year after year.
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