Homemade Outside Christmas Decorations

Homemade Christmas decorations for the outdoors can be a tricky craft compared to most holiday projects. Since the pieces are outside, and unprotected from the weather, they need to be much sturdier than most “do-it-yourself” items. Don’t get lazy when it comes to this aspect, because it can mean the difference between your decorations lasting ten years or ten hours!

Creating durable, homemade Christmas decorations for the outdoors can be worth the work though, since nothing shows more spirit or a better personal touch than hand-made Christmas decorations. They’re a perfect way to share the holiday cheer with anyone who passes your house.

Simple is usually the best road to take in this homemade process, so here are some simple outside Christmas adornment themes you can create:

1. Natural Elements Theme:

Get some ribbon, bells, and wire. Make long garlands and big wreaths from real greenery. Add lots of elegant bows, and hang. Make sure you follow directions that specify the items are made for outdoors. Add pine cones for extra appeal. Use garland not only on rails and house trim, but on trees and bushes too.

2. Gingerbread House Theme:

Gather a bunch of large plywood squares. Cut out a bunch of gingerbread man and woman shaped pieces. Use remaining pieces to make some candy canes, round candy in wrapper, snowmen, and snowflakes. Even add a roof and door if desired. Paint lively colors and details with house paint and let dry. Add hook, post, or whatever. Cover with clear outdoor varnish. Place or mount against the front of the house on the lower walls to make a gingerbread scene. Can be used for many other themes too.

3. E-Z Nativity Theme:

Cut a simple “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” nativity scene out of plywood. Paint it silver or white, then cover in outdoor varnish, and set up in yard. Place gentle lights behind it to illuminate and give an angelic glow. Looks great at night.

4. Reindeer Ranch Theme:

Use sticks, logs, and other wood bits to create “rustic” looking reindeer of varying sizes. Tie a big weather-resistant ribbon in a bow around each ones neck. Take reindeer and either place in a grazing group in center of yard, or make a bunch the same size and use to line the edge of yard.

5. Ribbon Madness Theme:

Gather different colors, styles, and sizes of weather-resistant, outdoor ribbon. Make long garlands from ribbon, adding bows, braiding, or rosettes when desired to create a pattern. Securely drape ribbon garlands all over home and yard, remembering to use a consistent style.

6. Beautiful Bow Theme:

Like the ribbon theme, gather lots of weather-resistant ribbon, making sure colors are bright and you aren’t using any green. Create a ton of large and medium sized bows (one a little larger than a dinner plate, one a little smaller), making each one neat and beautiful. Tie each one separately all over trees and bushes in yard. Add large bow, or bow wreath to front door.

7. Candy Cane Lane

Theme:

There are a hundred different ways to do a candy cane themed display for outdoors. Make plywood candy canes and place them on home or make them stand alone around edge of yard. Spiral tiny white or red lights around for added pizzazz. Make weather-proof, extra large candy cane ornaments for outdoor trees and hang them everywhere.

8. Silly Snowman Theme:

Just one of the many snowman themes you can try, get a bunch of large plastic balls in three different sizes. Make a dozen or so snowmen by carefully hot gluing balls together, with a large ball on the bottom, medium in the middle, small on-top.

Spray paint each snowman a solid, bright color, varying colors from snowman to snowman. Hand paint face and buttons in black. Hot glue strong, short stick or weatherproof weight to bottom, so the snowman will sturdily stand alone in the snow. Place the candy-colored snowmen along boarder of yard.

No matter what project or theme you choose, there is one tip to always keep in mind: Unless you are a certified professional, stay away from homemade outside Christmas decorations that have anything to do with power or electric wires. Wrapping a store bought string of lights made for outdoors is one thing, but actually wiring you own item is not a good idea. Considering the temperature and moisture issues alone, it is best to just avoid the idea all

All of these ideas for homemade outside Christmas decorations are simple and require no great amount of skill. Choose a project and start creating your special Christmas look today.


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