Cyndi Mills - Owner | Publisher CMF Magazine
The festive season is here, and along with decorating inside, here are six simple steps to decorate the outside in one afternoon and at a minimal expense by using greenery, lanterns, planters, and lights.
When my husband was deployed over Christmas, this was my option. I wanted to have a festive house without a ton of work. Plus, I used a timer to turn on and off my lights, which meant I didn’t need to give my yard another thought once it was decorated until I needed to put the lights and decorations away.
Step 1: Garland
There are two options: you can use artificial garland or fresh. Your decision will depend on where you live and what you have access to. Whichever garland type you choose, wrap a set of lights around it or purchase a pre-lit garland. (See lights for types).
Step 2: Lights
The holiday season takes place a few days after the winter solstice, so lights are a great way to brighten up our dark evenings when they fall upon us early in the northern hemisphere. There are three lights: coloured, warm white, and cool white. The choice is yours. You need to decide what look you are going for. I personally like warm white lights. My husband loves coloured.
Step 3: Wreath
Nothing says Christmas like a wreath on the door. Again there are many options. You can hang a fresh wreath, a pre-lit wreath, an artificial wreath, or decorative wreath. There are numerous choices. Find a wreath that speaks to you.
Step 4: Planters
Planters are a great way to decorate and brighten your yard during winter. Whether you are decorating window boxes, hanging baskets, containers, or planters, add colour and texture to your yard during the dreariest time of the year. First, fill your boxes, containers, or planters with fresh boughs, holly branches, ribbons, berries, sticks, and large pine cones. Then, add a string of lights to bring them to life at night. An alternative is to purchase planters already put together, which start at $35. Kits to use in your window boxes and hanging baskets can also be purchased.
Step 5: Lanterns
Lanterns are a fantastic way, with minimal effort, to brighten up your doorstep and yard for the holiday season. You can place a battery-operated candle in them or a string of Christmas lights. There are a variety of choices on the market when it comes to lanterns. Watch the sale at Micheals. They had them on sale, buy one get one free. Canadian Tire also had a great deal on lanterns at the beginning of the season. Use various shapes and sizes to add dimension to your display.
Step 6: Christmas Tree
While outdoor Christmas trees have been around in holiday displays for a while, why not set one up by the front door or on the porch? Again there are many options. You can purchase an inexpensive pre-lit artificial Christmas tree. Canadian Tire had them on sale for $49.99, or you can spend a few more dollars on a decorative outdoor tree with a stand, like the one pictured below. Another option is to set up a real tree. Again the choice is yours. Again, add a string of lights, and a few decorations, and voila, Merry Christmas, everyone!
