Yesterday I introduced my husband’s outside lights decorating trick of changing bulb colors so the light strands he hangs in mid-October for Halloween remain up and appropriate through St. Patrick’s Day in mid-March. In addition to these colorful lights, our outdoor Christmas decor consist of greens – wreaths, garland, Arbovites and swags.

LARGE WREATH

Large wreath decorates outside wall in courtyard.

I originally created this large 48″ diameter wreath to hang high above the fireplace mantel in a previous house. The decorations on the wreath do not work in our new living room but it fits well into an outdoor space.  Rather than deconstruct the wreath, I decided to give it a try outside even it wasn’t built for outdoor use.  The only decorations on the wreath questionable for outdoor use  are the silk magnolia blossoms.  They work in this spot, however,  because the wreath hangs in an area protected by the overhead eaves and by another wing of the house.

WALKWAY GARLAND

An artifical garland loops between entry posts and responds well to changing weather.  Large plastic decorations above the loops add a bit of sparkle and visually link back to the gold in the large wall wreath.

WINDOW WREATHS

Three side-by-side windows repeat same size wreaths.

Three windows along the entry walkway display repeating wreaths.  The wreaths hang from monofilament attached to the overhead wood trim so they seem to float in front of the windows.  From the hallway inside the house the view to the courtyard is encircled with evergreen branches – so these wreaths decorate both the inside and the outside!

ENTRY

Simple gold bead garlands and white lights dress entry arborvitaes.

Potted arbovitaes stand on each side of the front doors year round.  A simply gold bead garland and white lights dress them for the holidays. 

FRONT DOORS

Matching swags with natural pine cones adorn double entry doors.

The double front doors each welcome guests with matching swags highlighted by large natural pinecones.  I LOVE these swags – Terrie gave them to me!

I’ve found simple greens add a festive touch to outdoor decorating.  What about you?  What are some of your decorating tips for dressing the outside of your home for the holidays?  Post a comment and I’ll send you a FREE guide to making Designer Florist Bows. 

Happy Holidays!

Christmas-tree-glass-balls from ohadweb.

As my family and friends attest, I am a holiday decorating junkie! I love doing at least a little something for most every holiday – but Christmas marks my decorating marathon. I start unpacking boxes the day after Thanksgiving. As soon as I seal up the tub of Thanksgiving decorations, I open up the first of many – and I do mean many – Christmas decor boxes. Soon the house is littered with boxes, tubs, protective bags, tissue paper and bubble-wrap. Every opened container unveils holiday treasures, enough to decorate 6 trees (the largest a fresh 14 footer in the family room – a nine foot silk in the living room – a 7 1/2 foot tree for the media room, and 6 or 7 footers in each of 3 bedrooms), dining and coffee tables, entry doors, 2 staircase banisters, bathroom counters, innumerable nooks and crannies, as well as the front yard and roof lights.

This Year Will Be Different

Decorating the house will be different this year – because the house is different. We’ve downsized, moving to a smaller house in August since our sons no longer live at home. Since Halloween I’ve been mulling over what trees we can still put up for Christmas and what we will fore-go (maybe the boys would like them for their apartment?).

I’ve decided a live tree will go in the great room, the slim tree previously used in the master bedroom should fit nicely in the dining area, and the tree previously used in the living room works in the master bedroom – but there’s no room for any other trees. Just as I had to cull the trees by half, I need to do the same as I unpack boxes of non-tree decorations.

Open to Possibilities

In the past years, as a decorative item came out of the box I knew exactly in which room it belonged. Not so this year. I’m mapping new territory since this house is so different and I’ve decided the best way to figure out what should go where is to unpack it all and look at it with fresh eyes. Just as the trees didn’t fit into the same rooms this year, I’m not going to assume a decoration belongs in a particular room just because it’s been there in past years. As much as I love all of the decorations we’ve collected over the years, I’m also looking forward to showcasing them in different locations and combinations this year. Who knows what great vignettes or combinations might develop!

Play the Game

If you’ve moved since last Christmas perhaps you’re facing the same “musical decorations” (like musical chairs where you run around trying to find a place!) game I am. Even if you’ve been in your house for years maybe you’d enjoy playing the game too – just to freshen up your holiday decor. Before buying something new – make everything look new by creating fresh combinations and using things differently. Instead of hanging your wreath on the wall, try it as a table centerpiece. If you’ve a standard coffee table centerpiece, switch it out with the dining table decor. Maybe change the look of your mantel and move the stockings to the stairway banister…Santa can put them back over the fireplace when he fills them.

How might you freshen the look of your holiday decorating this year?  If you use your decorations in an unusual way, or have ideas for changing things up – share them!  We’d love to hear (and see!) what works for you.