Whether you want to decorate your outdoor space with snowflakes hanging on the walls with projector lights or create your own wreath or garland, outdoor Christmas decorations come in all shapes and sizes. If you don’t know which type of adornments will be the ideal for your home, this detailed buying guide is for you.
How To Examine Your Home To Choose the Right Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Examine your home from a wide-angle view
You should head to the curb to see what your house looks like from a larger perspective and take a picture from this angle. You also need to consider what the natural surroundings look like during Christmas and take a look at the type of trees and foliage you have in front of your house. Also, count the windows you have and take notes of their location to choose the decorations accordingly.
Don’t forget your roof
Take a look at your roof and know how many peaks it has. Some roofs have horizontal eaves, shingles, and gutters that can mess with your decor plan if not considered.
Closely examine your landscape and driveway
Consider the number of trees in your yard. You should know if they have a single, towering trunk like an Oak or Crepe Myrtle or they have several smaller trunks and lower branches. Is it possible to find evergreen trees or bushes with no visible trunk? Do you have any shrubs, garden beds, or unique curves in your yard? Note any pathways as well as the driveway because these make a great choice to hang Christmas lights and other ornaments.
Consider the power source
When it comes to powering your outdoor Christmas lights, having access to exterior plug outlets is important. If you want your new external outlets to go in without a hitch, count how many you have currently. Do a lap around your house to discover the main power points and plan the decor accordingly.
Weather You Should Consider During Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Sunlight and heat
When artificial foliage and lights are exposed to direct sunlight for longer, their color can fade away quickly. Excessive humidity and heat can also cause faster deterioration of lights and discoloration of ornaments. You should try to place your decor in covered outdoor areas to protect them from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Snowfall
If you’re planning to use incandescent lights outdoors, you should know that the coldness of snow can cause them to burst. So, you should limit their operating time when installed in snow-prone areas. Also, place your smaller decorations a bit above the ground to keep them from getting buried under the snow.
Rainfall
If you live in an area where the weather is always rainy, try using outdoor-safe lights that are made to withstand rainfall. You can also try switching off and unplugging outdoor Christmas lights during the rain to keep electrical hazards at bay. LED lights are a better choice in the rainy season because hot incandescent bulbs can easily burst during a cold rain.
Different Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Artificial trees
While some people prefer keeping artificial trees inside, you can also use them as outdoor Christmas decor. Because learning to place outdoor Christmas decorations is all about making the best use of the available space, the key is to go for a small-sized Christmas tree and keep it as minimal as possible.
With storing your artificial trees for the coming season, you shouldn’t try to put them back in the boxes they come in because they won’t fit in. Instead, keep them assembled and wrap them with a sheet of paper.
Ornaments and bulbs
Whether you prefer hanging garlands or wreaths outdoors or want to illuminate your space with lights, there is a range of options. You can decorate your outdoor Christmas tree with baubles, lights, hangings, bells, and candles. With the right type of lights, you can add a unique touch to your space and a warming glow to the Christmas tree.
While outdoor decorations last longer, they should still be stored carefully. When it comes to storing tiny light bulbs, nothing beats an egg carton. You can also start keeping the cardboard cups that you get at the drive-throughs for your beverages to put your heavier decorations away securely. Having them separated like this will prevent them from knocking against one another when you move them throughout the storage facility.
