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One of the highlights of the Christmas holiday is how every corner of the home is dressed up for the festivities. The halls are decked, trees are perfectly trimmed, and fire pits glow brightly, making the neighbourhood more joyful than ever.
Your garden should be no exception! With our Christmas garden ideas, you can create a magical and lively atmosphere outdoors. Santa might even make your house his first stop!
1. Light up the trees
This time of year is a great opportunity to give your trees a festive makeover. Start by wrapping Christmas lights around the trunks and branches with matching lights for a holiday effect. You can also add ornaments or weatherproof decorations. Et voila — now you have not just one but two or even a few Christmas trees on display.
2. Log cabin holiday retreat
Log cabins can be used in a lot of different ways, and turning yours into a holiday retreat is definitely one of them! Introduce the Christmassy spirit to your garden room by adding festive touches like a small Christmas tree, string lights on the beams, and candles on the mantle. Make your stay cosier with warm blankets, soft cushions in red and green, and a thick rug. What’s left to do is to light the fireplace (or turn on your smokeless fire pit).
3. Container garden wonderland
Don’t settle for the drab greys and browns of fall and winter. Instead, create a Christmas-themed garden using containers. Go for sturdy pots that can withstand winter weather and fill them with a mix of evergreen sprigs, colourful twigs, and dried perennials. Add pinecones, berries, or even small ornaments for extra festivity. Arrange the containers near your entrance or along pathways to bring that winter wonderland vibe to your front or back garden.
4. Make your own Christmas pedestal
If you have an unused birdbath, transform it into a festive pedestal. Use it as a base to display holiday decorations like evergreen bows and a large red ornament. This will highlight your decorations and make the birdbath stand out in your garden.
5. Combine ice structures with lights
Clear ice and lights always create stunning and magical effects. With shorter winter days, garden lighting ideas can brighten up your space. Try creating ice structures by freezing water in plastic containers or silicone moulds. Once the ice is frozen, place string or LED lights around or behind it to enhance the effect. The lights will reflect through the ice, creating a sparkling display—this will look extra magical amidst the snow.
6. Winter wonderland fire pit experience
Spending time around the fire pit with family after a snowy day sounds like a good plan! Clear the paths to the pit and make sure it’s not slippery (use sand or salt to prevent ice buildup). Set up chairs with warm blankets and have cups of cocoa and marshmallows ready for s’mores. A portable heater can also help keep everyone warm and cosy.
7. Wreaths on the lamp posts
Lamp posts make a great addition to gardens and as extra features for your Christmas wonderland. Tie Christmas wreaths around them with red ribbons to ensure they’re well-dressed for the season. Add battery-operated lights to the wreaths for extra sparkle and better visibility in the dark winter months.
8. Grace your patio
This patio truly gets a festive makeover! Deck out the outdoor fireplace with a large wreath, cheerful garlands, and twinkling string lights. Adorn the trees with Spanish moss, jingle bells, and colourful big Christmas lights. The result is a joyful, magical setup that feels like stepping into a winter wonderland — almost like Narnia!
9. DIY wood pallet trees
Get creative with old pallets lying around your garden shed. This DIY Christmas tree project is simple to make. Start by cutting the pallets into tree shapes or stacking them to form a tree. Decorate the tree with marquee lights, ornaments, and garlands, or even paint it to match your holiday theme.
10. Hang some birdseed ornament
Birdseed ornaments are a charming decoration that also benefits wildlife. To make them, mix birdseed with gelatin and press the mixture into moulds or cookie cutters. Let them dry completely before hanging them on trees or posts using string or wire.
11. Display the garlands on the fences
Garlands work well to spruce up your garden gates and fences. Let long lengths of garlands drape slightly between the fence and posts. Add ribbons or other flashes of colour to coordinate with your Christmas garden concept.
12. Garden pathway with starlight stakes
Pathways should also match your Christmas garden dress code. Adding starlight stakes, a.k.a. bright balls of lights, will do the trick! They provide a pop of colour and are perfect for height placement.
13. Red and green simple patio setup
Brighten up your patio with Christmas colours in a fun and easy way! The decor combines merry hues using Christmas-themed cushions and blankets, small ornaments, and fairy lights. Toss down outdoor rugs and add a few battery-operated candles for a warm glow.
14. Outdoor hay bale Christmas tree
Who would’ve thought that hay bales could be used as decorations? Stack them to form a tree shape, then use colourful lights and galvanised stars to decorate. Secure the hay bales with twine or wire to keep them in place and put them on a flat surface.
15. Display a sled
Antiques never fail to add charm to garden spaces, regardless of the season. If you have an old sled lying around, lean it against the wall next to your patio or outbuilding’s door this holiday. It will look great if you add some fake snow around it and a few Christmas decorations like small wreaths or ribbons.
16. Wrap your columns
Columns often look ordinary, and homeowners never bother adding decorations to them. But this Christmas, it’s time to break that habit; wrap them up with garlands and lights to blend into your winter wonderland getup. Use battery-operated or plug-in string lights for easy installation.
17. Christmas table setup
If the weather outside isn’t frightful, invite your loved ones to dine in the garden and have the best Christmassy alfresco experience. Decorate the dining table with a tablecloth in seasonal colours, festive centrepieces, and holiday-themed place settings. Add candles or lanterns for a cosy glow, and add blankets or throws on the chairs to keep everyone warm.
18. Oversized garden ornaments
Christmas balls usually come in small sizes, mainly as tree decorations. Until someone decided to make the size 100 times bigger, and voila! Giant ornaments began to occupy many garden spaces – and this is a sign for you to join the trend.
Find or create giant ornaments in various colours and patterns. Place them around your garden, on the lawn, or even hang them from trees.
19. Faux snowballs
Whether it’s snowing in your area or not, you can still enjoy a white Christmas with these charming faux snowballs. Create them using cotton batting, white yarn, or craft foam balls covered in white paint and glitter. Put them in a decorative basket or scatter them around your garden for a wintry effect.
Tip: Add a few faux snowballs to outdoor displays or use them to create a festive scene around your front door. Who knows? Santa might just take notice and drop by!
20. Al fresco dining in greenhouse
Summerhouses are great spots for outdoor entertaining. This year, consider converting yours into a festive dining space for holiday dinners and get-togethers.
Decorate with evergreens, lights, and candles. To complete the look, add a rattan dining table set with a few holiday-themed accents. You’ve just created the perfect setting for a cosy Christmas Eve dinner with your loved ones!
21. Santa’s mailbox
Don’t forget about Santa this holiday season! Make gift-giving more fun with a “Letters to Santa” mailbox where kids can drop off their Christmas wish lists. Place it in a visible spot, like in the backyard near a garden room or in the front garden near the entrance, so it’s easy for everyone to see.
22. Don’t forget your garage
Simple garlands with a wreath and a few ornaments will do the trick! You can also string up some lights along the garage door or the ceiling for extra sparkle. If your car is parked in front, put a wreath on it so it fits right into the holiday theme.
23. Bring the present outside
Presents under the indoor tree are overrated, so let your patio or porch get in on the action this year. We’re not talking about the actual presents, but faux ones as decorative pieces. Wrap old shoe boxes or chocolate tin cans in festive wrapping paper and add bows to make them look like real presents.
24. Opt for a faux snowman display
The best thing about faux snowman displays is that they don’t melt. DIY with materials like foam or plastic and finish the look with accessories like scarves, hats, and mittens for the snowman. Also, add a few LED lights to make it shine at night. Place it by the entrance or along the garden path to spread some holiday cheer and welcome guests or passersby.
25. Poinsettia as a floral focal point
Poinsettias are known for their classic red and green leaves and star-shaped bracts. These features, in fact, earn them the nickname ‘Christmas stars’. Place them in pots or planters and arrange them on your patio or around your garden. Or use vases or containers on your dining table or mantel for indoor displays.
Care tip: Make sure they get enough indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist, but not too wet.
26. Wooden shed exterior makeover
Your garden building deserves some holiday attention too! Simply hang a wreath and add a large red ribbon on the door. String up some outdoor lights and place a Christmassy format to complete the look. With these simple touches, you’ll be more inspired to use garden in winter and enjoy it throughout the season!
27. Make use of the cones
Giant pine cones are a must-have Christmas decoration. They look great wherever you put them, such as in wreaths, garlands, or as standalone decors. You can also DIY, such as arranging a few pine cones around plain candles or tea lights. Or add a touch of glitter or spray paint in holiday colours for a bit of sparkle.
28. A pop of candy canes
Candy cane pathway marker lights are a fun way to light up your yard. The bright red colour and the warm glow they produce are sure to pop against the crisp white snow. Stake them into the ground wherever you want, whether in the front or back garden.
29. Flaunt a wagon
Use a vintage-looking wagon to display mini trees, then place it on your patio or porch, or even use it in place of a traditional farm truck display. Line the wagon with a holiday-ish red blanket for a farmhouse charm. You can also use the wagon bed to hold poinsettias or display faux presents.
30. A large nutcracker soldier
Nutcrackers are a classic and practical choice this holiday season. This large nutcracker, for one, is a perfect addition to your decked patio, in front of your log cabin, or at your gate entrance. Place it in a visible spot where it can be admired by guests and passersby to show it off!
Round-up
Outdoor Christmas decorations are key to creating a jolly ambiance during the holiday season. And there’s nothing better than making your own garden festive and beautiful this December. We hope our Christmas garden ideas help you achieve that and inspire wonderful displays. May they lift spirits and create warm memories during the cold days and nights.
Up next on your reading list: Best Holiday Christmas Plant Ideas
FAQs
How do you make a Christmassy garden?
A simple way to do it is to fill your garden with majestic lighting. Wrap Christmas lights around your trees, grapevines, or hedges.
Stair railings, patios and porches are also perfect spots for string lights. Scatter them around your grass or planters to add a warm glow amidst the snowy season.
What plants are ideal for Christmas?
The most festive flower of the holiday season is the scarlet-blooming Poinsettia. It's a beautiful evergreen that can thrive indoors or outdoors.
Are Christmas lights good for plants?
Experts claim that plants absorb chlorophyll most when exposed to red and blue lighting. Blue light encourages bushy growth. Red light, in contrast, urges blooming.
What is Christmas foliage?
Foliage such as Conifer, Spruce, Holly, Pine, Mistletoe and Ilex, to name a few.
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