Outdoor Holiday Decorating Dos and Dont’s
We all love the holiday season and at the onset, we can become delirious with over decorating. Shops are filled with beautiful inside and outside festive decorating ideas and in a frenzy, we buy them all. Holiday displays can become extreme, so we need to find that balance between festively trendy and tacky overkill. So ho, ho, hold on to your impulses and decorate smart this year. Whether you enjoy traditional or more modern decorations, here are a few ideas that will inspire safety and tasteful, stylish, and spirited ideas even if they are a bit audacious.
Outside Holiday Decor
We’ve all had neighbors whose yard is filled to capacity with every color of ornaments and lights. Or maybe you are that neighbor that has to have the most lights on your home. There is no need to over exaggerate the strands of lights hanging from your home… unless you want to be noticed by Santa first. Less is more. Use a color scheme that flows harmoniously instead of mismatched hues that look like an afterthought.
If you are going to use ornaments to embellish your yard, use high-quality accessories that enhance your home instead of looking like a trinket junkyard. Don’t use the blow-up decorations that deflate and look like a pile of rags in your yard. They can blow away easily and get entangled in trees, roofs, power lines or float down the road endangering drivers. Go simple, yet trendy.
Other points to consider are when hanging Christmas lights, do not staple them to your home siding, roof, windows, or gutter. They damage your home leaving scars and holes. There are plastic clips for gutters and vinyl siding clips that slip in and out easily without damaging your home.
Don’t overload electric outlets. Do not add a splitter and plug in all your lights whether inside or outside, to one outlet. Ensure there is no faulty wiring, loose connections, or damaged sockets. Any one of these issues can cause a fire.
Don’t be brave and hang outside decorations yourself. It’s a good idea to have someone help you lift, carry, mount, and hold the ladder. Thousands of people end up in the emergency room because of accidents made by poor decisions.
Don’t leave your lights on all night. It’s costly and the bright lights might not be appreciated by your neighbors. Use a timer and have them shut off at a decent hour.
Do decorate the outside of your home early to avoid the hazards of snow, ice, and potential injuries. Many homeowners are adorning their homes with festive lights in early November. Get a jump start on the higher and harder-to-reach decorating areas and leave ground ornaments for the end of November or early December.
Do make your front door the festive focal point this holiday season. Hang a cheerful wreath the greenery, bold ribbons, and pine cones. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves or a fragrant essential oil that smells like Christmas. You may also want to frame your door with matching garland and lights. There are so many wreath ideas available if you want to make your own, or there are lots of gorgeous premade ready for purchase.
Do decorate pillars and step banisters with matching trim. It adds balance, beauty, and lots of curb appeal. Do hang a festive wreath on your outdoor lanterns as well.