Decorating the yard or the exterior of your home with Christmas decorations is a wonderful way to welcome your guests and make them feel the magic of the season.
Artificial wreaths and garlands, artificial trees, and Christmas lights are some of the most basic items used for outdoor Christmas decorating. They are attractive, versatile, and available in virtually any colour combination to match every style of holiday décor.
Depending on their quality and quantity, these items can constitute a fair amount of expense, so it's important to purchase the right type of decorations to meet all your outdoor decorating needs. We've put together five important questions you should ask yourself before making an actual purchase that will save you both money and time this holiday season.
1. What Is My Budget?
- Choose an outdoor theme: Selecting a decorative theme gives your outdoor display a cohesive and harmonious appearance while also helping to define your budget. In many cases, elegant, minimalist, or modern designs require fewer embellishments than cottage, traditional, or winter wonderland themes, allowing you to save by avoiding the need for numerous decorations. For more inspiration, explore our article on Christmas door decorating.
- Decide what decorations you'll need: Once you’ve chosen a theme, make a list of the decorations needed to bring the look to life. Compare this against what you already have that can be reused. Blending new items with existing décor is not only practical but also cost-effective.
- Determine the scale of your display: Consider how grand you want your display to be. While some Christmas enthusiasts go all out with exterior decorations, there’s no need to feel pressured to match extravagant setups. Your budget should reflect your personal style, preferences, and circumstances. Special guests, such as long-absent family or new grandchildren, might inspire a more elaborate display.
- Factor in electrical consumption: Outdoor Christmas lights can affect your monthly electricity bill. To manage costs, consider using lights with a timer. This not only reduces energy consumption but also enhances safety by minimising the risk of overheating.
2. Where Will the Decorations Be Placed?
Consider Exposure to the Elements
- Most artificial wreaths and garlands are designed to withstand water, wind, snow, and sunlight—within reason. They are constructed with supportive wire frames for durability; however, it’s generally best to place them in sheltered areas, such as a covered porch, to prevent them being dislodged by strong wind or heavy snowfall.
- Typically, Christmas lights bearing a red Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label are deemed suitable for outdoor use. A UL listing indicates that the product meets recognised national safety standards for fire and electrical hazards.
- The Allegheny Evergreen Outdoor Tree is specially built for exterior use. It features UV-coated needles and heavy-gauge wire branches, along with guide wires and stakes to help secure it against wind, rain, or snow.
Consider Accessibility to an Electrical Outlet
- Many pre-lit wreaths and garlands come with 30-inch power cords. If your decorations are placed far from an exterior socket, use extension cords that are rated safe for outdoor use and compatible with your lights.
- Be sure to check your electrical outlets too. They should have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which accepts three-pronged plugs and automatically cuts power when a short circuit is detected. Consult a qualified electrician if GFCI outlets need to be installed.
- If you have a large garden, consider using a power stake to extend reach to decorations along fences or in landscaped areas. These stakes often come with three outlets, protective covers, and built-in timer settings for safety and convenience.
Insider Tips:
Before putting up your outdoor Christmas lights, be sure to check out our complete Tangle-Free How-To Guide for Hanging Christmas Lights for helpful tips and techniques.
- If electrical cords feel too inconvenient or untidy, consider using battery-operated wreaths and garlands. Many models feature a built-in timer to help conserve battery life. Alternatively, an unlit wreath or garland can be adorned with battery-operated light strands.
3. What Is the Weather in My Area?
Consider Heat and Humidity
- Artificial wreaths and garlands are crafted from materials that can tolerate moderate levels of heat and humidity. However, in rare cases—particularly in tropical climates—excessive heat and humidity may cause the colours of certain baubles, like artificial fruits, to run and stain nearby surfaces. Applying a UV-protective spray, available from hardware or craft shops, may help prevent discolouration.
- While the filaments inside incandescent Christmas lights naturally wear down during use, high heat and humidity can accelerate this process, causing the lights to fail more quickly.
Consider the Amount of Sunlight
- White wreaths, garlands, and trees are especially susceptible to the sun’s UV radiation, which can cause white foliage to yellow. In extreme cases, even indoor green artificial trees may fade if placed beside a sunny window throughout the season. Outdoor artificial trees are typically treated with a UV-resistant coating to prevent fading and cracking.
Consider the Average Snowfall
- Most artificial wreaths and garlands are built with durable materials and weather-resistant coatings that can handle average snowfall.
- However, incandescent lights—because they become hotter the longer they run—can be at risk when exposed to snow, which may cause bulbs to burst. Limiting their run time is advised.
Consider the Average Rainfall
- The foliage on artificial wreaths and garlands can usually withstand light rain showers. Avoid using decorations with small, delicate components that could be blown off or damaged by wind and rain.
- UL-listed outdoor lights can handle light to moderate rainfall. As a safety precaution, always switch off and unplug your Christmas lights when it rains. Cold rain may cause hot incandescent bulbs to burst. LED lights, which remain cooler, are more resistant to moisture and safer overall. Turning off lights during wet weather also helps reduce electrical hazards.
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 safe for outdoor use, inspect the UL label. A green holographic UL sticker on the cord indicates the product is suitable for indoor use only. A red holographic UL sticker means the item is approved for both indoor and outdoor use.
Weatherproof Your Decorations
- If snow or rain is forecast, take steps to protect your outdoor light decorations. Switch off and unplug all lights and pre-lit items, then cover them with a tarpaulin or a durable plastic sheet. Raise extension cord outlets off the ground to prevent water from reaching them.
- Even if your exterior lights are plugged into an indoor socket, rain can still pose a risk. Inspect ceilings, walls, and floors around the sockets to ensure there are no leaks or standing water that could cause a short circuit or 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 between 7 to 10 years with proper use and storage. However, the lights on pre-lit models may require replacement every three years due to natural wear and tear.
- Outdoor artificial trees endure more demanding conditions, so their typical lifespan is approximately 5 to 7 years under normal use. Always refer to the manufacturer’s manual or website for the product’s warranty details.
Lifespan of Outdoor Christmas Lights
- Several factors can influence the lifespan of outdoor Christmas lights. Sudden changes in temperature, rain, snow, and humidity, as well as improper use, handling, and storage, can all shorten their longevity.
- Under ideal conditions, indoor incandescent lights may last up to 2,000 hours. For outdoor incandescent lights, however, bulb replacements are often needed after roughly half that time. LED lights, while more costly initially, are rated to last between 20,000 and 30,000 hours with standard use.
Insider Tips:
Savvy homeowners recognise the value of high-quality decorations. Rather than spending on a large number of low-cost, low-quality Christmas items, consider investing in three to four premium pieces that complement your existing décor. Products that come with extended warranties typically last longer, allowing you to reuse and enjoy them for many festive seasons to come.
- A beautiful outdoor Christmas display is a charming way to express your family’s love for the festive season. By asking yourself these five questions, you can be confident you’ll choose the best outdoor decorations to bring your most heartfelt and joyful vision of Christmas to life.