As the festive season approaches, I’m sure you’re wondering, how can I decorate outdoors for Christmas on a budget? Well, you’re in luck. With a little bit of creativity and some savvy shopping, it’s possible to create a stunning outdoor Christmas display without breaking the bank. From reusing and repurposing items you already have at home to finding bargains at your local dollar store, there are plenty of ways to save money while still making your home look festive.
DIY outdoor Christmas decorations are a fantastic way to keep costs down. I’ve found that most DIY decorations are quite affordable and low cost, and the process of making them can be a fun holiday activity in itself. With over 100 great DIY decor ideas out there, I’m confident that you’ll find something that suits your style and budget.
Plastic outdoor Christmas decorations are another cost-effective option. They’re durable, reusable, and can be found in a variety of cute designs. Whether you’re shopping online or at your local store, there are plenty of cheap options available. So, with a bit of planning and a dash of creativity, you can create a beautiful outdoor Christmas display that won’t cost you a fortune.
Planning your Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Diving into the euphoria of Christmas outdoor decoration is a must, but what about proceeding with a solid plan? For a stunning yet economical Christmas façade, let’s strategize.
Setting a Budget
Before swiping that credit card at your local decoration store or initiating an endless online shopping spree, remember to set a budget. After conceptualising your décor blueprint, it’s essential to prioritize your wants. Creating an itemised list of each location you plan to decorate and the amount of lights or decorations needed will help narrow down the essentials. I include these plus any accessories needed and their current price for each item.
To calculate the total cost of your entire outdoor Christmas decorating project, summarize based on the prices you’ve noted down. Use your budget to break down your project into phases. Decorate one or two locations this year, and save others for the next. Consider LED lights, though the initial investment is higher, they’ll likely save you money in the long run because of their durability and energy efficiency. But don’t fret if that’s not feasible, as incandescent lights cost less overall.
Choosing a Theme
What’s crucial next? Deciding a theme for your decoration adventure. Tired of conventional red-and-green? Think outside the box, you may adore buffalo plaid or a spray-painted toy soldier theme, venture into the funky world and create inspirational decorations. Draw up a list of your preferences or build a Pinterest mood board for reference.
Decorating your front porch is a grand start. If you’ve got anywhere to sit, like a bench or a set of chairs, place cozy, festive pillows and blankets, suitable for the chilly winter ambiance. Add a touch of your preferred theme with everything from wreaths to table decors, making your outdoor look as welcoming as possible.
Exciting, isn’t it? But take caution of misplacing or forgetting that perfect decoration you just thought of, note it down! Gathering all potential options neatly in one place shall be your go-to mantra.
DIY Christmas decorations for outdoors
Stepping into the festive craze, Christmas outdoor decorations sure brings a wave of joy and colour to our homes. In this section, I’ll highlight some fun, creative, and cost-efficient DIY outdoor Christmas decor. Let’s start with a classic –
Making your own wreath
Wreaths aren’t just exceptionally inviting on your front door, they also signify the unending circle of life. Making your own Christmas wreath isn’t difficult and can be cost-efficient. Gather supplies like paint, greenery, pine cones, or even bells. Not into traditional styles? Remember there’s no rulebook! Fancy a burlap wreath adorned with lace and holly or an oversized one that stands out? Go for it. Or how about a jingle bell tree wreath that rings merrily every time someone arrives? It’s all about adding your personal touch.
Additionally, creating wreaths can also be a fruitful family activity. For instance, use an old ice skate, paint it with glitter, wrap it with ribbon, and stuff it with greenery—perfect for families that adore ice-skating. Keep in mind, pre-made, decorated wreaths can be expensive. So, make yours and save those pounds!
Creating outdoor light displays
Light displays are literally the light of Christmas celebrations and can set an enchanting environment outdoors. If sophisticated outdoor Christmas light installations don’t align with your budget, fret not. Creating your own light displays is quite simple and cheap. Start by using LED lights, as they’re durable and energy-efficient. You can make miniature Christmas tree displays using fairy lights, a single pole, and some pegs. To add a festive appeal, design light bulb-shaped ornaments or a wood ‘JOY’ sign from simple materials. You can obtain cost-friendly raw materials from a flea market or dollar shops.
Furthermore, you can use garland to create a lighting masterpiece or wrap the porch pillars with Fraser fir garlands and green wreaths for a farmhouse-style decor. Considering this time is the most colourful of the year, why not give it a vibrant twist with an oversized Christmas light garland, colourful wreaths, or gilded nutcracker statues? The possibilities are endless—make sure to select the right method of installation based on the type and location of the lights or decor you choose.
Don’t forget, this isn’t a race—it’s about making your home the most welcoming and joyous. So, take your time to explore, experiment, and execute your masterpiece. Christmas is about making memories, so enjoy the process. This year, let’s make it not just about decorating your home, but also about creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Using Natural Elements for a Budget-Friendly Decoration
In the spirit of the outdoors, I believe in making the most of what nature provides. Decorations don’t need to be fancy or expensive. With a bit of creativity and a keen eye for natural beauty, your outdoor Christmas display can be a show-stopper whilst being eco-friendly and kind on your pocket.
Decorating with Pinecones
Evidently, nature’s ornaments are often overlooked when it comes to outdoor holiday decorations. However, if you’re lucky enough to have pine trees nearby, a plethora of pinecones can be collected each year. Being inexpensive and highly versatile, they make an excellent option for budget Christmas decorating! Dry pinecones can take on many different roles. Attaching a small length of ribbon to the base of a few, tying them together to create hanging bunches is a simple yet effective method. These arrangements can be hung on your door as an alternative to the traditional wreath, or even from the bottom of porch lights for a more rustic look. Combined with a faux cardinal or glitter, pinecones can become the star of your Christmas display. Move over, baubles!
Incorporating Evergreen Branches
Not to be outdone, evergreen branches can make a statement in your outdoor Christmas display too. Evergreen boughs are a robust choice to begin any decorative arrangement. Starting from a strong base of faux greenery, you can then work in organic elements to create a longer-lasting, fresher look. Whether placed upright inside your porch lanterns or decked out with Christmas lights in your yard, evergreens are classic, not to mention a pocket-friendly addition to your outdoor Christmas decorations.
Using Holly and Berries
Finally, holly and berries can offer a pop of colour to your display. Incorporating holly berries into your decorations, whether in a DIY wreath or simply speckled in an arrangement of evergreen branches and pinecones, is an uncomplicated yet effective way to make your outdoor space more festive.
Keep in mind; these are just some of the many ways to make your home feel festive without breaking the bank this Christmas. The beauty of decorating with natural elements is that they literally grow on trees, and they can easily be combined with thrifted items to create a display that’s tailored perfectly to suit your home and your personal style. So, why not** embrace the joy of decorating for less**?
Upcycling and Repurposing for Festive Decor
We can do a world of good for our planet while creating eye-catching decorations with the simple act of upcycling. Let’s delve deeper into how to turn everyday items into festive ornaments. A saw, unused pallets, paint, and a dash of creativity? That’s all you need to make a Christmas tree. Additionally, those mason jars sitting on the kitchen shelf can make lovely lanterns! Even those old ornaments can get a new lease on life.
Turning Old Pallets into a Christmas Tree
Got an unused wooden pallet lying around? Don’t rubbish it just yet. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform it into a charming Christmas tree. Sketch out a triangular shape on the pallet, saw off the extra wood and there you have the structure of your unique tree. A touch of paint in your favourite hue, some outdoor lights strewn haphazardly and voilà , you have a festive, quirky Christmas tree right on your porch. Should you have extra pallets or planks, why not make a holiday sign? Secure four pieces side-by-side, paint it a single base colour and let your holiday spirit guide your brush. Whether you choose to paint a snowman, a festive message or a graceful reindeer, you’ll end up with a charming addition to your outdoor Christmas display that uniquely expresses your personality.
Transforming Mason Jars into Lanterns
A less hands-on but equally rewarding project involves upcycling mason jars into whimsical lanterns. Take an empty mason jar, loop a wire around its neck for hanging and you’re halfway there. The rest is all about personalising. Deck the jar with ribbons that capture your festive mood, add sprigs of greenery or even hand-paint a cosy scene. Pop a string of battery-operated Christmas lights within and your lantern is ready to bring a warm glow to your backyard.
One idea involves simply filling these jars with more fairy lights, creating rustic lanterns that add magic to any outdoor space. You can also use them as candle holders, or as mini snow globes, filling them with ball ornaments instead of lights. Remember, simplicity can have just as grand an effect.
Repurposing Old Christmas Ornaments
Now let’s address the trimmings that have seen better Christmases. With a bit of imagination, your worn out ornaments can become the piece de resistance of your outdoor Christmas decoration. Ever thought about how a garland of wind-wrapped vintage lights could transform an old bicycle into a festive work of art? From handlebars to spokes, swathe the bike in lights till it resembles a two-wheeled Christmas comet. Park it against an exterior wall or fence and watch it enchant every guest.
Another decor idea involves repurposing old sports equipment. Being a lover of winter sports, I’ve found that skis, snowshoes and hockey sticks lend themselves beautifully to festive embellishments. Decked out with Christmas lights, fresh greenery and more, these items become an outdoor display that are sure to impress.
Getting Creative With Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By using a bit of creativity and making use of everyday items, you can illuminate your outdoor space in a budget-friendly way without compromising on the Christmas cheer. Below are a few tips on how to get creative with outdoor lighting.
Hanging Fairy Lights
A touch of fairy lights can magically transform an outdoor space, making it radiate the holiday spirit. It’s amazing what a simple string of lights can do if placed correctly. Fairy lights are not only budget-friendly, they’re also energy efficient, particularly the LED ones. You can wrap them around trees, shrubs, or even your front door to create a twinkling wonderland.
One unique idea is to create a holiday fire pit. Although without real fire, arranged logs in a careful teepee fashion and wrapping bright fairy lights can produce the same warm glow. It’s like having a festive glow in your yard without lighting a real fire.
Another brilliant idea is to use mason jars to hold solar-powered fairy lights. Turning them into lanterns not only creates a magical spectacle at night but is also an excellent way to repurpose your old jars. Hang them from trees or position them alongside your garden path for a whimsical touch.
Adding Lighted Garlands
Garlands are a great decoration, not just for mantelpieces and stairways, but also for porch beams and entranceways. Illuminate your outdoor space by intertwining lighted garlands with regular ones for a more charming effect. And when the daylight fades, the added glow from fairy lights can make the exterior of your house visually impressive.
An oversized wreath teamed with a garland above your front door, sprinkled with fairy lights, offers an appealing sight once the sun sets. Alternatively, adding lighted garlands on old winter sports gear like skis, hockey sticks, or even your snowshoes is another creative and personal decoration you may consider.
Conclusion
I’ve shown you that decorating outdoors for Christmas doesn’t have to break the bank. With careful planning, creativity, and a bit of elbow grease, you can create a stunning holiday display that’ll be the talk of the neighbourhood. Remember, LED lights are your best friend for energy efficiency and durability. A well-thought-out theme can lend a unique touch to your decorations, and don’t overlook the power of natural elements like pinecones, holly berries, and evergreen branches for a budget-friendly boost. Your front porch is the perfect canvas for a cosy, welcoming scene. DIY projects like homemade wreaths and repurposed items add a personal touch and can save you money. Fairy lights, lighted garlands, and repurposed mason jar lanterns are just a few ways to add sparkle without spending a fortune. The key is to choose a focal point and enhance it with simple, effective decorations. By using what you already have and getting creative with lighting, you can achieve a festive look that’s both budget-friendly and beautiful. So go ahead, let your imagination run wild and enjoy the process of creating your own unique outdoor Christmas display.
