50+ Crafty Outdoor Holiday Decorating Ideas

From front-door wreaths to traffic-stopping displays, give your front porch or yard a holiday makeover with one of our DIY outdoor Christmas decorations.

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DIY Front Yard Christmas Decor

'Tis the season to bring out the tree, garland and wintry wreaths to celebrate the holidays. With the outdoors looking a little less colorful and winter quickly approaching your front yard deserves a dose of handmade festivity. Take a look at a few of our DIY Christmas decoration ideas to get your outdoor spaces looking fresh and ready to greet your family and friends for the season.

Get the How-To: How to Make Holiday Garland From Foraged Greenery

From: Chelsea Faulkner

Turn Tomato Cages Into Gnomes

Visitors, neighbors and passersby will be charmed by these adorable DIY gnome pals. The best part? They're easily made from inexpensive tomato cages and some basic craft supplies.

Get the How-To: Make Festive Tomato Cage Yard Gnomes for Christmas

Decorate a Porch Christmas Tree

In place of a standard topiary, bring a bit of your indoor decorations out with a mini fresh or faux Christmas tree. To create a sturdy, weather-proof base, skip a fabric tree skirt and instead place the tree in a wicker basket weighted down with a few rocks. Burlap garland, shatterproof ornaments, pinecones and a few handmade twig stars wired onto the branches are sturdy enough to stand up to the elements.

Hang Wreaths on the Windows

Outline your windows with swags of evergreen and then hang matching wreaths on the windows to add a boost of natural holiday color.

Get the How-To: How to Hang Christmas Wreaths on Windows

Put Your Boots to Work

Pull out your boots and get to work to create some super-cute, farmhouse-style curb appeal. This grouping of glossy, red galoshes makes for some mighty festive front-stoop planters while adding a feeling of whimsy and fun to this holiday porch.

Make It Kid-Friendly

Keep the kids' anticipation high with holiday decor tailored just for them. Give a nod to Santa's workshop with little touches that'll spark their imaginations like classic toys and oversized candy made from foam balls, cellophane and a little twine.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Craft This Cute Wreath

Create a wintry forest scene for your front door with this adorable holiday wreath. The simple project is basically adding bottlebrush trees and mini ice-skating figures to a foam wreath that's been wrapped in holiday fabric.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Whimsical Bottle Brush Tree Wreath

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

DIY an Aluminum Gingerbread Man

Traditional holiday door decor gets a playful upgrade with this charming DIY aluminum gingerbread man that resembles everyone's favorite seasonal treat.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Life-Size Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make Ice Lanterns

Get an assist from Mother Nature (or your freezer) to turn plastic cartons filled with water into magical ice lanterns to display either indoors or out.

Get the How-To: How to Make an Ice Lantern

From: Marian Parsons

Upcycle Paint Sticks Into a Rustic Star

This inexpensive star made from paint stir sticks and jute adds rustic charm to any holiday decor. And the best part? You can use it year-round to decorate any space. Place it on a mantel, on top of a cabinet or simply hang it on a wall.

Get the How-To: Make a Rustic Holiday Star From Paint Sticks and Jute

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fill the Porch With Vintage Decor

Accessorizing with vintage winter sporting equipment, such as skis, snowshoes, a sled and skates, gives a rustic cottage appearance to a North Carolina front porch decorated by blogger Amy Buchanan of AttaGirlSays. The sports equipment fits in perfectly with yard sale finds, including the table, vintage wooden toolbox and the dresser frame.

Find More Ideas: How to Decorate With Vintage and Antique Christmas Decor

Fill a Wagon With Light

You don’t have to spend a fortune on new holiday decor every year. Dolls, teddy bears, and even a red wagon can come into play as holiday decorating elements. Here, a classic pull-toy gets loaded up with pillar candles and greenery for a fun and festive extra light source. Pro tip: Use faux flame candles for a holiday display that will shine safely all season long.

Find More Ideas: 110 Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Wrap the Columns

If you don't have a power source conveniently located on your front porch to keep your posts or columns decoratively lit up, no worries. Stick with a simple evergreen garland and ribbons of burlap accented with natural embellishments like pine cones and berries.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Light the Way for Holiday Guests

For a safer alternative to the traditional paper-bag-style Santa's runway, add a layer of rock salt or Epsom salt to glass vases or mason jars then nestle a glass votive candle in the center of each. Depending on the size votive you use, the candles will safely provide hours of illumination. When one burns low, simply replace with a fresh candle.

Create Cozy Outdoor Seating Areas

Make your front porch look as inviting as grandma's house at the holidays by offering a cozy place to sit, curl up and watch the snow fall.

From: HGTV Magazine

DIY a Festive Message

Make your season's greetings pop with this cheery DIY rope light project.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Festive Rope Light Word Art

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Use a Pair of Skates

For a twist on a standard front-door wreath, layer fresh greenery with a pair of vintage children's ice skates.

Brighten Your Stoop With Illuminated Orbs

Add lights to store-bought grapevine spheres to create an attractive display for your front porch or entryway. Using waterproof lights ensures they'll brighten up your entry even during stormy winter weather.

Get the How-To: How to Make Illuminated Grapevine Spheres

Upcycle an Old Sweater Into a Wintery Basket

Instead of a standard wreath for your front entry, turn an old sweater or blanket into a hanging basket. Stitch together the bottom, add some scrap fabric or ribbon to hang it from a piece of driftwood, and then fill your new basket with pinecones and berries. Chances are you'll be able to make this adorable display without spending a penny.

Decorate the Door

Create a cozy front porch with decorations you may already have on hand. Here, we stuffed an oversized basket with evergreen trees and a fringed red blanket, then paired it with a collection of lanterns and a pile of festive birch logs.

Find More Ideas: Our Fave Christmas Wreaths, Garlands and Swags

From: Chelsea Faulkner

Go Big With Oversized Ornaments

Bring a playful glow to your lawn with oversized ornaments made from globe shades, food storage bowls and string lights. For more curb appeal, cluster them together in odd numbers and use extension cords that blend in with your landscaping.

Get the How-To: How to Make Giant Christmas Ornaments

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Hang a String of Twig Star Garland

Garlands can really enhance your holiday decor by adding that extra layer that brings everything together. This handmade version is stunning on its own or against a backdrop of evergreens indoors or out.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Holiday Star Garland Out of Twigs

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Craft a Banner and Doormat

Add holiday cheer to your front entrance with a burlap pennant banner and personalized doormat. The budget-friendly doormat looks like a pricey catalog find but is actually an easy DIY project.

Get the How-To: Make a Monogrammed Holiday Doormat

DIY Advent Calendar Ladder

Go big this holiday season with an oversized outdoor Advent calendar. Using only a ladder, garland and address numbers, this handmade decor piece is the perfect addition to your outdoor sitting space.

Get the How-To: Make a Giant Advent Calendar With a Ladder

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Birch Bark Wreath

If you have birch trees in your area, you know it's not uncommon for pieces of bark to peel away from the trunk. Gather the pieces to make a seasonal wreath. If you don't have birch trees in your area, you can purchase the bark to make this wintery wreath. To make it, attach pieces to a wreath form using wood glue and clamps. Apply hot glue if necessary. Accessorize with pinecones, holly leaves and assorted berries.

More Birch: Craft Woodsy Luminaries

Add a woodsy glow to your entryway with a grouping of birch log luminaries. To create them, cut the branches into varying heights with a circular saw. Next, drill holes into the top of each log using a 1-1/2" paddle or spade bit just deep enough to accommodate a votive. Play it safe and use battery-operated votives.

Build a Decorative Sled

Vintage sleds can be expensive, instead of spending the money, repurpose an old wooden pallet into a charming antique-style sled that will add instant charm to any space.

GET THE HOW-TO: Turn a Wooden Pallet Into a Decorative Sled

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Treat Forest Friends

Decorate outdoor trees with frozen ornaments and feed the wildlife at the same time. Freeze paper plates, plastic containers or cake molds filled with water, berries, citrus or herbs. Once your ornament is frozen solid (6-8 hours) remove it from the freezer and use warm water to loosen the ornament from the mold. Poke a hole in the ice to add a piece of string so you can hang the beautiful and beneficial ornaments in the trees.

Get the How-To: Make Outdoor Ornaments for the Holidays

Turn Lumber Into a Mini Forest

Basic woodworking skills, plywood and nails are all you need to create modern Christmas tree silhouettes that you can display year after year.

Get the How-To: How to Make Rustic Nail-Head Christmas Trees

Deck Out the Landscape

Craft these oversized twine ornaments to brighten up your evergreens. Made from inexpensive materials, it's easy to make a whole bunch while binge-watching your favorite show.

Get the How-To: Holiday Craft: DIY String Ornaments

Add Some Sparkle

These gorgeous, glittering votives only look expensive. Using glitter, glue and an empty jar, you can easily craft them yourself on the cheap.

Get the How-To: How to Make Glittered Mason Jar Lanterns

From: Marian Parsons

Spell It Out

Try this playful twist on a standard holiday wreath. Just wrap sections of rope with fine-gauge wire, working it between the rope's twists, then shape it into letters to spell out a favorite holiday sentiment.

Make a Melt-Proof Snowman

A sturdy wooden support combined with three faux evergreen wreaths makes a friendly outdoor snowman who won't melt, making him the perfect decoration for snow-free climates. Plus, using faux wreaths, rather than fresh ones means you can display your snowperson year after year.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Life-Sized Wreath Snowman

Freshen Up Your Wreath

Cover a straw wreath form with moss and garlands of fresh cranberries for a colorful holiday decoration that can be used as either a traditional front door wreath or, laid flat on the table, as the base for a Christmas centerpiece.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Moss and Cranberry Holiday Wreath

From: Marian Parsons

Craft a Weather-Proof Paper Wreath

Take the DIY approach with a weather-proof paper wreath that will easily become the centerpiece of your outdoor space.

Get the How-To: Waterproof Paper Wreath

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Twig Garland

Give a real or faux evergreen garland a rustic, woodsy touch by layering on a twig garland. Making one is easy, just gather small branches from your yard, use clippers to cut them into sections that are approximately the same length, then knot the twigs together with jute twine or yarn.

Repurpose Old Jars

Expecting guests? Use assorted glass jars to give your front porch a festive glow. For an opaque, frosty look, add a mercury-glass effect by first misting the jars' interiors with water then immediately spraying on looking-glass paint.

Get the How-To: Easily Make Your Own Mercury Glass Votives

Upcycle a Wood Tree

If you have a stack of old lumber or shipping pallets hanging around, this project is a clever way to upcycle them into a modern take on an illuminated tree. Use paint in assorted colors or just one color but various patterns to make your tree truly one-of-a-kind.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Wooden Christmas Tree

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fill the Urns With Foraged Greenery

Placing urns at the bottom of your holiday garland not only serves the purpose of visually flanking the door, but it also hides the cords for the lights. Instead of purchasing small trees for the urns, fill them with Christmas tree cuttings, evergreens collected for your yard (or a neighbor’s yard with permission), large pinecones, twigs, and sprigs. Nestle some white lights into the cuttings and pinecones to add some twinkle and ambiance when the sun goes down. For more drama, use a light string with larger bulbs and finish with a friendly farmhouse cow.

Find More Ideas: 110 Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas

From: Marian Parsons

Add a Holiday Rug to Your Outdoor Dining Space

Does your outdoor living space need a holiday update? It's a snap to add a festive touch to a plain sisal rug with a basic tree-shaped stamp made from a baking potato.

Get the How-To: Make a Festive Potato-Stamped Rug

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Craft Woodsy Stars

Get the kids to help you out with this easy project for turning inexpensive yardsticks and backyard twigs into large, rustic stars.

Get the How-To: Create a North Star Wall Hanging With Yardsticks

Hang Magnolia Wreaths

Topped with metallic bows and fresh-clipped greenery, these oversized twin magnolia gate wreaths are equal parts upscale and country-chic.

Find More Ideas: Our Fave Christmas Wreaths, Garlands and Swags

Turn Summer Souvenirs Into a Wreath

Tired of traditional holiday decorations? Go coastal and embellish a fresh evergreen wreath with shells gathered at the shore. To attach them, add a short length of wire to each shell with quick-dry epoxy then just wire them on. Instead of a ribbon bow, wrap the bottom of the wreath with textural yarn or rope and top with a few starfish.

Wrap It Up

Craft a colorful holiday decoration by painting lightweight wooden boxes in assorted colors with acrylic paint. Once they've dried, top with ribbon bows then secure them in a grouping with metal L- or flat braces and add a sawtooth or D-ring hook for hanging.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Conceal a Cache Tray With a Wreath

While plant saucers are essential for proper drainage, they can sometimes become eyesores. Use an evergreen wreath around the base of a planter to add a touch of holiday style while helping conceal the saucer. This trick also works indoors, where a wreath around the base of a pillar candle or centerpiece adds a festive touch.

Turn Every Day Into Holiday

Designer Erinn Valencich gives her front porch lanterns a wintry update with artificial sprigs of berries and snowflakes she applied using a craft-store stencil and spray snow.

Give Planters an Easy Holiday Update

Galvanized metal buckets are handy for oh-so-many reasons — and here's one more: they make a great cover-up for plain pots. To add a wintry touch, first add a punched snowflake design using a hammer and nail.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Turn Craft Store Supplies Into a Snowman

Small, medium and large grapevine wreaths stacked, then held together with twine or wire form a woodsy snowman you can make in a jiffy to add holiday cheer — indoors or out.

Make a Fabric and Evergreen Swag

For a trendy twist on a standard holiday wreath, dress up your front door with holiday swag made from fresh greenery, fabric branches and glittering pinecones.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Fabric and Evergreen Holiday Swag

From: H. Camille Smith

Craft a Chalkboard Silhouette

Welcome holiday guests with this trendy chalkboard sign. To make it, trace a reindeer silhouette onto a 24" x 24" piece of plywood, cut it out with a jigsaw and apply two coats of chalkboard paint. Add picture-hanging hardware and a wire to the back so you can display your finished sign either indoors or out.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Light Up the Night

Turn hardware store wire mesh and vellum into these high-end-looking luminaries to light the way to your front door for holiday guests.

Get the How-To: How to Make Wire Mesh Luminaries

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Whip Up an Outdoor Pillow

Add a cozy touch to a front porch chair or bench with this adorable reindeer pillow. With a few basic supplies and our free printable template (link below), you can stitch up one of your own in just a few steps.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Reindeer Pillow for the Holidays

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Craft a Colorful Tree Silhouette

Painted wooden dowels and a bit of wire or twine are all you need to make this minimalist Christmas tree that can withstand winter's wet weather.

Get the How-To: Make Christmas Tree-Shaped Window Dowels

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Give Topiaries a Holiday Makeover

Make your front porch festive by flanking the door with a pair of faux or fresh boxwood topiaries embellished with wired burlap ribbon and garlands of fresh or faux berries.

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