Create a Beautiful Christmassy Garden

12 Festive Ideas for a Winter Wonderland in Your Own Backyard

Who’s feeling unapologetically festive this year? Decorations are going up early and, I’ll admit it, I’ve had my first mince pie.

But when you deck the halls, don’t forget the doorstep and the garden!

Last year, all those evening walks we went on were made festive and delightful by the efforts people had made with their outdoor space. Your front door will make the first festive impression on Christmas guests and, more importantly, will be welcoming you home during this season of dark, cold nights.

So make your garden as beautiful and as magical as your living room.

You might go big and bright - this is certainly the year for it. Or, if you’re not ready for twinkling reindeer on the lawn, I have twelve simple outdoor décor ideas for a touch of festive sparkle. Light-up Santa optional!

1.Take the Tree Outside

A Christmas tree is not just for the lounge (in fact, they’re not just for Christmas so, if you can, investigate renting a tree). An oversized spruce on your doorstep, or a friendly gathering of firs in pots at the gate, couldn’t be more of a festive welcome.

If you have the space, keep your trees all year - ideally in a spot with a bit of sun - and they’ll be ready, and a foot taller, for next Christmas.

Decorate your outdoor tree with ice decorations and berries (see below), woven twig stars, and christmas delights for the birds for a winter wonderland for wildlife.

2. Just Add Colour

You don’t have to opt for the traditional Christmas tree to add a festive flourish to your doorstep. Instead take the opportunity to fill any pots and containers laying idle with winter colour. Indeed Lizzie, from The Rose Press Garden, has reminded me that December is really the very last opportunity to plant up pots and containers for Spring. She recommends filling them with bulbs like tulips and daffodils, then topping them with heather and pansies and violas for instant kerb appeal.

Plants won’t grow much in winter so bed them in close together to create a full display and, says Lizzie, ‘keep deadheading flowers throughout the winter months to encourage more flowers to bloom.’

3. Wild and Wow-Inducing Wreaths

[Image Credit: Sprout Surrey]

A Christmas wreath is an essential when turning up the festive cheer outdoors. I like a messy – or shall we say ‘artistic’ – wreath using bits and bobs from the garden.

Making your own is a lot easier than you might think. The wonderful Victoria of Sprout Surrey (follow her on Facebook or Instagram) will be hosting two wreath-making workshops live on social media on Sunday 5th December (10.30am) and Monday 6th December (8pm) in aid of Crisis UK. Just look at the gorgeous wreath (picture above) that she created.

Making your own wreath means you can avoid floral foam, a toxic micro-plastic that will sit in landfill. Instead use a biodegradable inner that you can re-use or throw on the compost heap in the New Year. Line it with moss to hold-in moisture using this tutorial from Sophie at @oldhouseontheshire. If you don’t have moss to forage you can buy it and use it for a few years (just be sure to check where it’s come from).

Please do send me pictures of your creations!

4. Give Empty Hanging Baskets a Festive Makeover

Hanging baskets, that may otherwise be looking somewhat unloved, can be repurposed and filled with spruce, fiery branches of dogwood, corkscrew hazel and pine cones. You could even add old baubles and fairy lights. Some particularly clever people use twine to hold two hanging baskets together. The resulting sphere can be crammed with lights and foliage and hung from the roof of a porch or pagoda as an outdoor chandelier!

5. Impress with your Christmas Crafting

If you are less green fingered, but handy with a saw and paint, make your own outdoor Christmas tree. It seems that just about everything can be fashioned from a palette, including a rather lovely Christmas tree.

Alternatively, grab some windfall sticks of approximately the same length and bind together with jute string into a star. Wrap with outdoor LED lights and hang on the garage wall or shed door.

6. Freeze-Your-Own Hanging Decorations

[Image Credit: Red Ted Art]

Bright red berries; deep green leaves; maybe a sprinkle of seed for the birds; all frozen together in a glittering bauble. These are so simple to make (a lovely activity to do with children and grandkids), but wonderfully effective.

7. Light The Way

Light is so important at this time of year and displays of Christmas lights can be spectacular in the garden. However, if, like me, you’d rather avoid grappling with strings of lights whilst teetering atop a ladder, focus on lighting the main path to your home. Fill lanterns with baubles and fairy lights to position on the doorstep or porch. Or clean and fill the glass jars from the pre-Christmas food prep for a wintry glow.

Perhaps twine some outdoor lights round bushes or tree trunks. Use Tanya’s (@tanyascountryarden) tips for finding key features in your garden and look out of your windows to see which areas of your garden to highlight.

LED lights use less energy and I’d recommend choosing and sticking to one colour to keep the look connected. A warm white will create a welcoming ambience, or opt for bright white for an icy dramatic look.

8. Add Festive Silhouettes to your Windows

[Image Credit: Jesus Sauvage]