21Dec
Tips For Having The Coolest House On The Block
While most people in Ontario wait until three weeks before Christmas to decorate, it’s never too early to start formulating your plans for the holiday season. Many people focus on making the insides of their homes as festive as possible.
You should take advantage of your home’s exterior and yard when planning your holiday decorations.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to turn your backyard into a winter wonderland for your enjoyment, there are plenty of opportunities to flex your creative muscles. Decorating your yard is a great way to bring joy to your neighbourhood.
We’ve compiled our top tips and tricks for creating a front or backyard winter wonderland. Become the envy of the block this Christmas season.
Pick a Theme
Looking at all the Christmas decorations available can be overwhelming. Picking a theme is an easy way to get organized and focused. Some of our favourite themes include:
- Santa’s village
- Nativity scenes
- The Grinch
- Classic Christmas
- Gingerbread/candy
- Silver and gold
- Farmhouse
Holiday Decoration
Decorations are key to setting the mood for your outdoor space. If you want a more fun, winter playland type of vibe, try incorporating different inflatables. Stick to more natural elements if you’re going for a traditional look.
Our favourite decor ideas are:
- Ribbons and bows
- Holiday trees
- Decorated archways
- Garland hanging on overhangs and archways
- Wreaths
- Tinsel
Snow – Duh!
There’s plenty of natural snow in Ontario, so make the most of it! Falling snow will accumulate on your hanging decorations, amping up the winter wonderland vibe. You can also use natural snow to make snowmen.
On the off-chance we have a cold but dry winter, you can make your snow. You can rent a snowmaker machine.
A fun activity with the kids is to make fake snow. All you need is a few ingredients:
- Shaving cream
- Baking soda
- A large bowl
- Tarp to lay on the ground
Add shaving cream to a box of baking soda, mixing with your hands. You can also purchase snow spray that you can spray on your windows, garland, and trees.
Holiday Lights
A beautiful lighting display will make your decorations pop. Traditional Christmas lights come in multiple colours that you can match to your theme. You can drape them on your outdoor furniture and bushes.
Another fun idea is collecting mason jars or old baby food jars. Add a string of outdoor lights to the jars. You can place the jars along your walkway or in the shape of a Christmas tree on your lawn.
Light Up the Fire Pit
An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can take the cozy vibes to the next level. Setting up a seating space around the fire pit is perfect if you’re having a party or want to spend a night outside. Folding chairs and stools work best for fitting a lot of people around the fire.
You can also burn things in your fire pit that add festive smells to the mix. If you don’t have a fire pit, you can light a few candles. Our favourite winter scents include:
- Pine
- Fireplace
- Cinnamon
- Mulled wine
- Marshmallows
Add Colour With Winter Flowers
Flowers and greenery aren’t just for the warm months. Winter flows can add a bit of colour to your outdoor decor. While poinsettias are typically a Christmas flower, there are other options you can explore.
Plant some of these items in pots around your yard:
- Norfolk pine
- Frosty fern
- Rosemary
- Christmas cactus
- Paperwhites
- Winter jasmine
- English primrose
- Viola
Have a Homemade Ice-Skating Rink
A homemade ice-skating rink might be a challenge to create but it’s worth it. You’ll need the following:
- Level ground
- Built-up sidewalls
Once you’ve created your structure, fill it with water. Once it’s frozen, your ice-skating rink is ready! Another option is to purchase a quick-set ice-skating rink. All you have to do is lay it out, fill it up with water, and let it freeze for a few nights. You’ll have hours of play and fun with your at-home rink.
Have a Hot Chocolate or Mulled Wine Bar
A hot chocolate or mulled wine bar is a perfect idea for a holiday party or a fun night with the family. You can set this up in an outdoor bar area or on a table.
A hot chocolate bar is great for kids and adults.
Some of the add-ins you can have featured in your bar are:
- Marshmallows
- Special flavour hot cocoas
- Chocolate chips
- Candy canes
- Caramel
- Cookies
- Nuts
- Toffee pieces
Whip up a batch of your favourite mulled wine and set out some of the following garnishes:
- Dried strawberries
- Ground nutmeg
- Orange slices
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Cinnamon sticks
Have the Perfect Playlist
Music is a wonderful way to set the scene and tie everything together. The music you play is up to you but festive tunes are always popular. You can play something in the background from an outdoor speaker for everyone to enjoy.
Some of the most popular Christmas songs are:
- Last Christmas
- Blue Christmas
- A Holly Jolly Christmas
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
- Jingle Bell Rock
- Silent Night
Have a Focal Point
Bring your decorative elements together with a single focal point. One option is to turn your backyard shed into a Christmas cottage. Have someone dress up as Santa and invite the neighborhood kids to come to visit.
Another idea is to pick one of your outdoor trees and decorate it like a Christmas tree. Get oversized Christmas light bulbs so they stand out on the tree. Safely place a star at the top of the tree.
Transform Your Backyard Into a Winter Wonderland
Turning your backyard into a winter wonderland is a wonderful way to create lasting memories for you and your loved ones. Spread some holiday cheer to your neighbors with creative outdoor decorations. Try to get the whole neighborhood involved and throw a Christmas block party.
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