Homemade outside Christmas Decorations
From 3arf
Making the time to create homemade outside Christmas decorations extends not only your budget, but also the fun of getting ready for Christmas! Check out these ideas for decorating outside and add some "Christmas Curb Appeal" to your home.
- GINGERBREAD HOUSE*
- Using exterior plywood build a large box. Add a peaked roof and let the fun begin. Paint the whole house brown and outline shingles on the roof with white paint. Using scraps of wood, cut shapes and paint them to resemble candy: peppermint swirls, lemon drops, candy canes, corn candy, gumdrops, cookies, chocolate chips and orange slices. Decorate the house.
- CHRISTMAS FIGURES*
- Cut Christmas figures such as Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, Santa, reindeer, snowmen, candy canes and toy soldiers from exterior plywood. Draw in the details and paint or glue-on real clothing. Add some glitter here and there.
- Add realistic accents such as a real scarf and hat on the snowman, a bell and bow around the reindeer's neck and wooden blocks cut and painted to look like candy on the gingerbread house.
- You can also make a unique reindeer from a stick of firewood and a few branches and twigs. These are really cute and you can find free plans here:http://www.freeww.com/index.html
- Make a simple sign on a weathered piece of board that says "Reindeer Crossing" or "Santa Stop." Nail a short stake to the back and display it in the front yard.
- MAKE A TREE TO DECORATE*
- If you don't have a tree to decorate in your yard, gather a few large tree branches and bind them together. Plant them in the yard or a five-gallon bucket and decorate. You can add lights, strung popcorn for the birds and even large Christmas ornaments.
- WINDOWS AND DOORS*
- If there is no snow where you live, add some sprayed on snow in the lower corners of your windowpanes for a nice Christmassy look. Add greenery and poinsettias to window boxes or hang a homemade wreath. Place large candles in the window inside and light them at night.
- Wrap your door with a heavy duty wrapping paper and add a bow to make it look like a package or add a wreath where the bow should be.
- Turn your front door into a large Christmas card by covering it with white paper. Paint or color a picture and use stencils to write your message. Leave a place for all arriving guests to sign their name.
- LIGHT IT UP*
- String Christmas lights along your eaves and around your windows. String lights down the walk and driveway.
Drape lighted garland along your porch railing and fence tops. Add bows at each drape and maybe some holly with berries.
- Place candles in lunch bags half-full of sand and line your walkway with them. Punch and cut designs in the bags to allow the flickering light to show more. Light the candles in the evening and add new inexpensive votive candles the next day.
- Make some luminaries from recycled quart jars and twist wire around the top for hanging. Draw stars, poinsettias, candy canes or Christmas trees with magic markers or glass paint. Hang them from the porch or from a shepherd's crook and light them each evening.
- BUILD A NATIVITY SCENE*
- Start the Nativity scene one year and add to it each year. Make it a project for the whole family to enjoy together.
- Build a crude stable from scrapes of lumber. Place straw or pine needles on the floor.
- Use a large baby doll for the Christ child, cut figures and barn animals from inexpensive plywood and draw the details with a pencil. Then paint the details and glue on fabric and leather clothing, jewels for the wise men and fake fur for the animals.
All of these ideas for homemade outside Christmas decorations are simple and require no great amount of skill. Choose a project and start creating your special Christmas look today.
