Simple Outdoor Decorating Ideas For Christmas

Decorating for Christmas doesn't require 250 strands of string lights or a million-watt display that illuminates the whole block. If you're looking for simple, inexpensive ways to deck your halls (metaphorically speaking, of course), we have all the outdoor Christmas décor you need to create the home of your dreams. See some of our ideas below …

Update the Front Porch

To create a festive welcome on the front porch, look for easy seasonal décor swaps. Doormats, outdoor rugs, and cheery outdoor pillows and throws create an inviting holiday scene without breaking the bank or going over-the-top.

christmas front porch

Holiday Doormats

To greet your guests with glad tidings, choose a holiday-inspired doormat for your front porch or doorstep. This is a simple and inexpensive update, and you can swap out styles throughout the year to celebrate any occasion. Choose a simple holly or reindeer motif to make a subtle statement, or go bold with a flashy holiday greeting.

Christmas Pillows & Throws

Like doormats, seasonal pillows and throw blankets are some of the easiest updates for a seasonal porch or patio. Deck out your porch swing, bench, or chairs with a cheery display for Christmastime. Chunky knit or faux fur blankets are perfect for chilly weather, and a handful of decorative pillows can easily complete the look.

We love the glamorous look of beaded, shiny, or ornately-patterned pillows for winter. They evoke the elegance and shimmer of the season without going explicitly Christmas-themed. Graphic pillows with imagery of snowmen, ornaments, or Santa Claus create a more definitive holiday statement.

Outdoor Rugs

For a front porch update that lasts beyond the holiday, look for a chic outdoor rug that sets the scene but doesn't overwhelm with prints or colors. Plaid, striped, or chevron patterns in neutral hues or muted shades of blue, red, or green are perfect for infusing seasonal flair that looks just as at-home in January as it does in November.

Add Christmas Greenery

There's nothing quite like a Christmas tree to evoke the feelings of the season. You can add instant holiday cheer to the front porch or patio with a sparkling artificial tree in your favorite style. And if you'd rather keep your tree an indoor fixture, you can add just as much flair with wreaths, swags, and scaled-down bushes and topiaries.

outdoor christmas tree

Outdoor Christmas Trees

Artificial Christmas trees make handsome additions to a seasonal outdoor space. Unlike live trees, they're not susceptible to changes in climate, don't require watering, and can be used year after year. Choose your favorite style to create the perfect look for your space – flocked trees create the illusion of a snowy winter wonderland, pre-lit trees add sparkle and shine, and unlit trees allow you to decorate exactly to your tastes.

Planters & Topiaries

To get the festive look of a Christmas tree without adding a full-sized fir to your porch or patio, try incorporating a potted artificial bush or topiary in a decorative planter or urn. Situate one on either end of the doorstep for a stately outdoor entryway, or place atop an outdoor side table for a touch of Christmas cheer.

Decorative Wreaths

One of the most iconic symbols of the season, Christmas wreaths are perfect for adding holiday flair as subtly or boldly as you'd like. Choose an understated leafy wreath for a more minimalist look, or go fully festive with a wreath covered in berries, ribbons, pine cones, or poinsettia blooms. Need help choosing? Check out our Christmas wreath buying guide.

Holiday patio with wreaths

Christmas Swags & Greenery

If you're itching to incorporate additional Christmas plant life, use festive swags, garlands, picks, or sprays to add even more cheerful greenery. Placed above the doorway, peeking out of a planter, or used as the centerpiece on an outdoor table, these decorative touches are perfect for creating a holiday-ready space.

Incorporate Outdoor Lighting

Warm, twinkling lights are another signature element of holiday décor, and these can be easily incorporated to outdoor spaces as well. Combat chilly weather with a roaring fire pit, or use outdoor lanterns and hanging lights to create an inviting glow.

Christmas string lights can also be incorporated in a chic, tasteful manner – loop around a porch railing to add a touch of brightness, or wrap around bare trees in the yard for a striking minimalist look.

christmas fire pit

Fire Pits

There's no better heating solution for cold wintry months than a roaring fire, and there's no reason to keep the flames contained inside a fireplace. Choose a wood-burning outdoor fire pit to achieve the smoky, crackling fire you love, or go with a chic gas-fueled fire table for added convenience.

Christmas String Lights

To put an updated twist on the mini teardrop bulbs we traditionally think of at Christmastime, try switching it up with strands of micro-LED fairy lights. Wrap around banisters and porch railings to light the way to your doorstep, or wind around bare tree branches for an extra touch of shimmer.

outdoor hanging string light curtain with hanging swing We love this enchanting outdoor space by My Texas House. The dreamy curtain of fairy lights adds tons of holiday cheer, and serves as the perfect backdrop for cozy nights outside.

Outdoor Lanterns

We love the look of an elegant outdoor lantern on the stoop, porch, or patio. Flameless candles that run on LED lights or solar-powered bulbs are safe from the elements, and emit just as much glowing warmth as the real things. Use a variety of shapes and sizes to create a dynamic look.

Outdoor Hanging Lights

While twinkling strands of Christmas lights are most often associated with the season, outdoor hanging lights also serve as an inviting source of light. To create a handsome contrast with miniature Christmas lights, choose a string of globe-shaped bulbs to light up your covered porch or patio.

Want extra help choosing your Christmas lights? We've got the Christmas lighting buying guide you need.

If you're ready to start decorating for the season, Hayneedle has everything you need to achieve these easy outdoor Christmas looks. Shop the site to find lights, wreaths, trees, and decorative accents you'll love – just in time for the holidays.

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