With the 2022 holiday season inching closer, now is the time to start thinking about how you’re going to decorate your home outdoors. Julie Friedman, a designer with Great American Landscapes, offers tips on getting started, choosing a theme, and more.
1. Plan ahead.
“Start planning your holiday decorating early so you can take advantage of sales and have plenty of time to get everything done,” Friedman says. “Make a list of all the things you’ll need, such as lights, garlands, ornaments, and other decorations.”
Friedman adds that getting organized is vital. “Once you have your list, start gathering all of your holiday decorating supplies in one place. This will make it easier to find what you need when you’re ready to start decorating.”
“I’ve seen it time and time again – people wait until the last minute to start their holiday decorating and then they’re rushed, stressed, and it shows in their finished product,” she says.
2. Choose a theme.
“Deciding on a theme will help you narrow down your decoration options and make your holiday decorating more cohesive,” Friedman advises. “Popular themes include traditional Christmas, winter wonderland, or festive and colorful.”
“People often forget that Halloween and Thanksgiving are holidays, too,” she adds. “There are tons of great themed decorations for those holidays as well. We’ve helped clients do anything from spook-ify their pergola in the backyard, to adding some pizazz to the front entry for Thanksgiving.”
3. Start with the basics.
“Before you start adding all of the bells and whistles, make sure you have the basic elements covered,” Friedman says. “This includes things like stringing up lights and putting up a wreath or garland on the front door.”
“You laugh, but a lot of people here in Maryland wait until the week of Thanksgiving to start their holiday decorating – and then they’re trying to do everything at once,” she says. “It’s much better to take your time and do it right, than to try to rush through it and end up with a half-decorated home.”
4. Don’t forget the yard.
“Your holiday decorating shouldn’t stop at the front door!” Friedman exclaims. “Spreading some cheer to your yard is a great way to welcome guests and get into the holiday spirit yourself.”
“Popular yard decorations include inflatable snowmen or Santa Claus, light-up reindeer, and Nativity scenes,” she adds.
“And don’t stop once you hit your living room. Head on out of your back door, on to your backyard patio, and show your holiday spirit there too – it’ll be a great place to entertain guests or just relax and enjoy the season.”
5. Add personal touches.
“One of the best ways to make your holiday decorating unique is to add personal touches here and there,” Friedman suggests. “This could be something as simple as using family photos in your decoration or hanging homemade ornaments on the tree.”
“It’s these little details that will make your holiday decorating stand out and really reflect your family’s personality,” she says.
“We’ve seen a trend in the last few years of people ditching those ordinary inflatable lawn decorations in favor of more personal yard displays,” Friedman notes. “One family we know puts out a life-size Nativity scene complete with live animals – it’s become a neighborhood tradition.”
6. Get the kids involved.
“If you have children, involve them in the holiday decorating process!” Friedman says. “Let them help you choose a theme, put up the lights, or hang the ornaments on the tree.”
“Not only will they love being involved, but it’ll also create lasting memories that you can look back on for years to come,” she adds.
“Of course, you don’t want to cut your little one loose with a chainsaw to trim your evergreens in your front yard,” Friedman jokes. “But there are plenty of other ways they can help out, like hanging garland or stringing popcorn for the tree.”
7. Don’t forget the finishing touches.
“Once you’ve got all of your big elements in place, it’s time to add those little finishing touches that will really make your holiday decorating shine,” Friedman says. “This could be little things like decorating your mailbox, wrapping the columns on the front of your home, or stringing lights along your driveway.
“It’s the attention to those small details that will really make your home stand out this holiday season,” she adds.
8. Keep it safe.
“One final tip I always tell my clients is to keep safety in mind when decorating for the holidays,” Friedman says. “This means things like using LED lights instead of traditional bulbs and making sure your electrical outlets are not overloaded.”
“It’s also important to take down any decorations that might blow away in the wind or become a tripping hazard,” she adds. “You want your holiday decorating to be enjoyed by all – so make sure it’s safe as well as festive!”
So there you have it – eight tips to help you decorate your home’s outdoors for the holidays like a pro! With some planning and creativity, you can transform your home into a winter wonderland that will bring joy to all who see it.
If you want to learn more tips about decorating your landscaping for Christmas, read Julie’s latest blog post on the Great American Landscapes website.
And if you’re in the Clarksburg or Glenelg, MD, areas and are looking for professional help with your holiday decorating, give Great American Landscapes a call. Their team has over 37 years of experience in the landscape design and lawn care industry, and they would be more than happy to help make your holiday decorating dreams a reality!
Happy holidays!
