Decorating your yard or the exterior of your home with Christmas decorations is a wonderful way to welcome guests and share the magic of the season.
Artificial wreaths and garlands, artificial trees, and Christmas lights are some of the most common items used for outdoor Christmas decorating. They’re attractive, versatile, and available in virtually any colour combination to suit every style of festive décor.
Depending on their quality and quantity, these items can add up to a fair expense, so it’s important to purchase the right decorations to meet all your outdoor decorating needs. We’ve put together five important questions to ask yourself before making a purchase, helping you save both time and money this Christmas.
1. What Is My Budget?
- Choose an outdoor theme: Having a specific decorating theme gives your outdoor display a unified and harmonious look while helping you determine your budget. In some cases, an elegant, minimalist, or modern design may require fewer embellishments than a cottage, traditional, or winter wonderland theme. The former could save you money by reducing the need to purchase multiple decorations to complete the look. For more ideas on decorating your verandah, take a look at our article on Christmas door decorating.
- Decide what decorations you'll need: After selecting a theme, make a list of the items you’ll need to achieve the look. Check this list against the decorations you already own that can be reused. Combining new pieces with your existing décor is convenient, practical, and cost-effective.
- Determine the scale of your display: Think about how grand you want your display to be. Some Christmas enthusiasts create elaborate outdoor displays, but don’t feel pressured to compete with these. Adjust your budget to suit your taste, preferences, and circumstances. Special occasions, such as visits from long-absent family members or new grandchildren, may inspire you to create something extra special.
- Factor in electrical consumption: Outdoor Christmas decorations with lights can significantly impact your electricity bill. Installing outdoor lights with a timer helps keep electricity costs down and adds a layer of safety by preventing possible overheating.
2. Where Will the Decorations Be Placed?
Consider Exposure to the Elements
- Most artificial wreaths and garlands are designed to withstand water, wind, sun, and even snow (within reason, of course!). They’re assembled with a supportive wire frame to keep them sturdy. However, it’s usually best to mount these decorations in covered areas, such as a roofed verandah, to prevent them from being accidentally knocked off by strong winds or heavy rain.
- Generally, Christmas lights with a red Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label are suitable for outdoor use. A UL listing indicates that the product meets nationally recognised safety requirements against foreseeable fire and shock hazards.
- The Allegheny Evergreen Outdoor Tree is specially designed for outdoor use. With UV-coated needles and heavy-gauge wire branches, it also comes equipped with guide wires and stakes to keep it secure against wind, rain, or snowfall.
Consider Accessibility to an Electrical Outlet
- Many pre-lit wreaths and garlands come with 76-centimetre electrical cords. For decorations positioned too far from an exterior power point, extension cords may be used, provided they’re compatible with the lights and rated safe for outdoor use.
- Take the time to check your electrical sockets as well. These should feature a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that accepts three-pronged plugs. A GFCI outlet shuts off power if it senses a short circuit. Consult an electrician if these need to be installed.
- If you have a large lawn, a power stake may be useful for reaching decorations mounted on fences or in garden areas. Safe and convenient, many of these stakes come with multiple outlets, protective covers, and timer functions.
Insider Tips:
Before installing outdoor Christmas lights, check out our complete Tangle-Free How-To Guide for Hanging Christmas Lights for more helpful tips and techniques.
- If electrical cords seem too inconvenient or messy, consider using battery-operated wreaths and garlands. Many models come with a built-in timer to conserve battery life. Alternatively, you can decorate an unlit wreath or garland with battery-operated light strands.
3. What Is the Weather in My Area?
Consider Heat and Humidity
- Artificial wreaths and garlands are made from materials that can withstand moderate heat and humidity. However, in some tropical areas, excessive heat and humidity may cause the colours on certain ornaments, such as artificial fruits, to run and stain nearby surfaces. Spraying a UV-protective spray, available at hardware or craft stores, on these ornaments may help prevent discolouration.
- Normal operation naturally consumes the filaments inside incandescent Christmas lights. However, high heat and humidity can accelerate filament deterioration, causing lights to burn out faster.
Consider the Amount of Sunlight
- White-coloured wreaths, garlands, and trees are vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays, which can cause white foliage to turn yellow. In extreme cases, even indoor green artificial trees may fade if placed near a sunny window for the entire season. Christmas trees made for outdoor use are specially treated with a UV-resistant coating to protect against fading and cracking.
Consider the Average Snowfall
- Most artificial wreaths and garlands are manufactured with durable materials and weatherproof coatings, allowing them to tolerate environments with average snowfall.
- Incandescent Christmas lights become hotter the longer they’re used. Cold snow can cause these bulbs to burst, so it’s best to limit their operating time.
Consider the Average Rainfall
- The foliage of artificial wreaths and garlands can withstand occasional rain showers. Avoid using wreaths and garlands with small pieces or detailing that may be blown away or knocked off.
- UL-listed outdoor lights can handle light to moderate rainfall. However, as a precaution, always switch off and unplug Christmas lights when it rains. Cold rain can cause hot incandescent bulbs to burst. LED lights remain cooler and are more resistant to leaks than incandescent lights. Turning off lights during rain reduces unnecessary electrical risks.
4. Are These Decorations Designed for Outdoor Use?
Look for the UL Label
- To check whether a set of lights or pre-lit décor is suitable for outdoor use, look at the UL label. Lights with a green holographic UL sticker on the cord are suitable for indoor use only, while a red holographic UL sticker means the product is safe for both indoor and outdoor use.
Weatherproof Your Decorations
- When snow or rain is forecast, there are several ways to protect your outdoor light decorations. Switch off and unplug lights and pre-lit décor, then cover them with a tarp or durable plastic sheet. Elevate or remove extension cord outlets from the ground to prevent water from reaching them.
- Rain can pose a risk even if exterior lights are plugged into indoor sockets. Inspect the ceilings, floors, and walls around the sockets to ensure there are no leaks or pooling water that could short out circuits or cause electrical shock.
5. How Long Will These Decorations Last?
Lifespan of Wreaths, Garlands, and Trees
- The foliage on high-quality artificial wreaths and garlands can last 7–10 years with proper use and storage. However, the lights on pre-lit models may need to be replaced every three years due to normal wear and tear.
- Outdoor artificial trees need to withstand harsher conditions, so their lifespan is approximately 5–7 years under normal use. Always check the manufacturer’s manual or website for the product’s warranty period.
Lifespan of Outdoor Christmas Lights
- Many factors can affect the life expectancy of outdoor Christmas lights. Alongside drastic changes in temperature, rain, snow, and humidity, factors such as improper usage, handling, and storage can also shorten their lifespan.
- Under ideal conditions, indoor incandescent lights have a projected lifespan of up to 2,000 hours. For outdoor incandescent lights, however, it’s not uncommon to start replacing bulbs after about half that time. LED lights, although more expensive upfront, are rated to last around 20,000–30,000 hours under normal use.
Insider Tips:
Savvy homeowners understand the value of high-quality items. Instead of spending money on a large volume of low-priced, low-quality Christmas decorations, consider investing in three or four premium pieces to complement your existing décor. Products with a lengthy warranty often last longer, ensuring they can be reused and enjoyed for many years to come.
- A beautiful outdoor Christmas display is a wonderful way to express your family’s enthusiasm for the festive season. By asking yourself these five questions, you can be confident that you’ll choose the best outdoor decorations to bring your most festive and heartfelt vision of Christmas to life.