Spread festive cheer throughout your neighbourhood with outdoor Christmas decorations. Exterior spaces present unique conditions to consider, so it’s important to choose outdoor décor that’s made to last. To help you get started, here are some questions to ask before buying Christmas yard decorations.
What Is Your Theme?
Having a specific Christmas theme gives your outdoor décor a cohesive look and helps you decide which pieces to use. For example, a modern, minimalist style calls for fewer decorations than a traditional or winter wonderland theme. Start by choosing a few key elements, then add complementary accents to complete the look.
Traditional
Welcome guests with the timeless charm of a classic red, green, and gold theme. For a touch of nostalgia, decorate your yard with beloved Christmas characters such as Santa Claus.
Winter Wonderland
Create an elegant, woodland-inspired look with frosted lifelike foliage and twig trees. Add life-sized Christmas figures to bring warmth and cheer to your winter wonderland display.
Contemporary
Add a modern twist to your outdoor décor with unique statement pieces. Choose pre-lit wire sculptures or lifelike foliage with metallic ornaments for a sleek, contemporary look.
Use the same colour palette to coordinate your indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations. You can also display outdoor-safe pieces inside your home, such as matching lifelike wreaths and garlands on your front door and above the fireplace mantel.
For more inspiration, explore our Christmas decorating themes.
How Much Is Your Budget?
After choosing your theme, review the Christmas yard decorations you already have and make a list of any additional items you need. Mixing new and existing pieces is an easy way to complete your display while staying within budget. Size and energy efficiency are also factors that may influence your spending:
- Size – Consider how grand you want your display to be. Budgets can be adjusted according to your preferences and available space. If you’d like a sprawling display, you may need to invest more in life-sized figures. Alternatively, you can group smaller decorations together to create a bigger impact.
- Energy efficiency – Most outdoor Christmas lights and pre-lit décor use either incandescent or LED bulbs. LEDs generate minimal heat and consume less energy than incandescent lights, making them a safer and more cost-effective option in the long run. Some products also include built-in timers that automatically turn lights and sounds off.
Where Should You Place Outdoor Christmas Decorations?
Make the most of your space by choosing the right areas to display your Christmas decorations. Take a moment to assess your surroundings and note any outdoor elements that could affect your décor.
Front Porch
Hang a Christmas wreath and garland on your front door, and place lanterns and lifelike potted foliage along the porch steps for a warm, welcoming look.
Pathways
Light the walkway with festive lanterns, and drape outdoor Christmas lights over hedges and plants to create an inviting glow.
Lawn
Make a lasting impression with your grandest outdoor pieces. Create a spectacular light show for your guests and neighbours to enjoy with our app-controlled Twinkly® Christmas lights.
Backyard
Create a cozy space for intimate gatherings with outdoor Christmas lights and pre-lit greenery. For elevated al fresco dining, place a wreath or garland at the centre of your table as a beautiful focal point.
Weather Conditions To Consider
- Sunlight and Heat – Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade the colour of your lifelike foliage and other decorations. Excessive heat and humidity may also cause discolouration of ornaments and faster wear on lights. Whenever possible, place your décor in covered outdoor areas to protect them from harsh UV rays.
- Snowfall – Cold temperatures and heavy snow can damage decorations or cause incandescent bulbs to burst. To prevent this, limit the operating time of incandescent lights in snow-prone areas and elevate smaller pieces to keep them from being buried under snow.
- Rainfall – Outdoor-safe lights are designed to withstand light to moderate rain. As a precaution, switch off and unplug outdoor Christmas lights during rainfall to reduce electrical risks. Hot incandescent bulbs may burst under cold rain, so consider LED lights, which are cooler and more resistant to moisture.
- Winds – Strong winds may damage your outdoor décor, so be sure to secure loose items to keep them in place.
Accessibility
Finding power sources for your Christmas yard decorations can be a challenge. If you have a large lawn, use a power stake to connect lights and décor along fences or in garden areas. Battery-operated or solar-powered products are also useful alternatives that reduce the need for extension cords.
Are the Decorations Safe for Outdoor Use?
Check the product information online or on the packaging to confirm whether your decorations are designed for outdoor use. Here’s how to identify outdoor-safe Christmas décor:
- Look for the Safety Label - Check for the UL label to identify whether an item is safe for outdoor display. Lights with a green holographic UL sticker on the cord are suitable for indoor use only, while a red holographic UL sticker indicates that the product can be used both indoors and outdoors. Choose products treated with UV-resistant coating to help colours stay vibrant under sunlight.
- Read the Display Instructions - Outdoor décor is designed to withstand the elements within certain limits. Always check the recommended display duration noted in the product manual. For example, outdoor-safe foliage from Balsam Hill is best displayed for up to three months each year to preserve its lifelike beauty.
How Long Will Outdoor Christmas Decorations Last?
With proper care and storage, outdoor Christmas decorations can last for many years. Premium-quality products with longer warranties tend to offer greater durability, allowing you to enjoy them season after season.
Wreaths, Garlands, and Foliage
The lifelike foliage on premium artificial wreaths and garlands can last seven to ten years with proper care and maintenance. However, the lights on pre-lit designs may need to be replaced over time, depending on how often they are used.
Outdoor Christmas Lights
According to the Department of Energy, indoor incandescent lights have a projected lifespan of up to 3,000 hours. For outdoor incandescent lights, you may need to start replacing bulbs after about half that time. While LED lights may cost more initially, they are rated to last around 25,000 hours with normal use.
How To Secure Outdoor Decorations
Extend the lifespan of your outdoor décor with a few simple weatherproofing methods. Follow the tips below to keep your decorations looking beautiful for years to come.
Step 1 | Fasten Lightweight Decorations
Use garden stakes to secure lightweight items and prevent them from being blown over by strong winds. Alternatively, use thin wires or chains to anchor life-sized figures to sturdy objects such as trees or lamp posts. Choose shatter-proof decorations for covered outdoor areas.
Step 2 | Protect Outdoor Christmas Lights from Snow and Rain
When a storm is approaching, switch off and unplug all lights and pre-lit décor. Cover them with a tarp or durable plastic sheet, and raise extension cord outlets off the ground to prevent water from reaching them.
Step 3 | Check Indoor Electrical Connections
Rain can still pose a risk even if your exterior lights are plugged into indoor sockets. Inspect ceilings, floors, and walls around these areas to ensure there are no leaks or pooled water that could cause damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Choose Exterior Christmas Lights?
Choose LED outdoor-rated lights for durability, energy efficiency, and weather resistance. Use C9 bulbs for rooflines, mini lights for bushes and trees, and net lights for hedges to create a cohesive, balanced look.
When Should I Buy Outdoor Christmas Decorations?
The best time to shop for outdoor Christmas decorations is in early fall, when selections are widest, or right after the holidays, when discounts are greatest. Planning ahead ensures you find the styles you love before they sell out.
How Do You Weigh Down Outdoor Christmas Decorations?
Use sandbags, ground stakes, or heavy planters to keep inflatable and lightweight décor secure. For larger displays, consider shatter-proof decorations or discreetly tie them to sturdy structures for added stability.
How Do You Categorize Christmas Decorations?
Christmas decorations are typically categorized by type (lights, ornaments, wreaths, garlands, inflatables) and by placement (indoor vs. outdoor décor). This helps you stay organized and plan a cohesive, polished holiday display.
How Does Your Landscape Influence the Placement of Outdoor Decorations?
Your landscape provides a natural guide for arranging decorations—trees, walkways, rooflines, and entryways help determine where lights and displays should go. Highlighting key architectural and landscape features creates balance and enhances curb appeal.