52 Cheerful Outdoor Christmas Decor Ideas

Christmas Exteriors Evergreen Glow
Photo: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Nobody does outdoor Christmas decorations quite like the South. Christmas wreaths, over-the-top garland, and cheery window decorations are just a few ways to decorate your home's exterior for Christmas. The Southern front porch serves as an extension of your interior style, complete with comfortable lounge furniture and a glass of sweet tea or in the spirit of the season, a hot toddy. Seasonal front porch decor gives passersby and holiday guests a sneak peek of your unique style.

We've gathered all of our favorite festive home exteriors, featuring everything from tasteful Christmas window decorations to merry Christmas yard decorations to make your porches and entryways holiday-ready. Whether you're decorating your home for a countryside or coastal Christmas, these looks are serving up some serious holiday house goals. Admire the joyous spirit of the holidays from these simple and extravagant exterior styles.

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Less is More

Exterior of quaint cottage decorated for Christmas

James Ransom

Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to make a stunning Christmas display outside. This house by designers Nicklaus and Sid Williams-Heath features a simple yet stunning greenery garland with warm white lights hanging from it to create a cozy look to their cottage.

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All Dressed Up

Home exterior
Red velvet ribbonâ€chosen to coordinate with the color of the roofâ€punctuates the magnolia, left unadorned to focus the attention on the architecture.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS

This classic Single House in Charleston is a holiday sight to behold. Adding a wreath on every window makes this home poised and ready for all the festivities to come.

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Blend Your Purchased and Natural Greenery Together

Exterior of home decorated for Christmas with dog

Brie Williams

If your home already has greenery on the exterior that naturally grows, find a way to combine that with your greenery you purchased for a perfectly blended effect. This home by designer Maggie Dillon uses the tree and other shrubs to incorporate to her holiday aesthetic for a natural, pleasing look.

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On Your Own Front Door

Front door

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS

Magnolia was made to be matched with red velvet. The ribbon bows on this festive holiday display perfectly balance each other to create a cheerful Southern look

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Over-the-Top Garland

Christmas Exteriors Over-the-Top Garland
Photo: Helen Norman

The blue-and-green color scheme of this Southern porch mirrors the lush fauna of its surroundings. Touches of blue ribbon give this home a freshness that is timeless.

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Merry and Bright

Christmas Exteriors Merry and Bright
Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason

The decor starts with a simple arrangement of wreaths and garland. The golden, glowing lights bring major Christmas cheer to the home.

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The Element Of Surprise

Sara Hillery Holiday Home Exterior

Alison Gootee

Richmond designer Sara Hillery never repeats a look when it comes to holiday decor, and we love that she went with icy blues and snowy whites this year. The subtle greenery gives this outdoor display a polished touch.

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Magical Magnolia

Christmas Exteriors Magical Magnolia
Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson; Design: Carmen Johnston

Full, lush magnolia arrangements make a big difference on this small porch. Paint a layer of leaves red for dramatic decor.

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Cheerful Layers

Christmas Exteriors Natural Layers
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This festive Charleston home is made for the ultimate holiday party. As the saying goes, more is more wonderful, and in this case, these wreaths fit the bill.

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Right In Red

Wreath outside family room
A wreath hangs from a velvet ribbon outside the family room. “We worked with 10 to 12 samples of red ribbon to choose one that wouldn’t look garish and would feel right with the coral exterior and red roof,” says Sams.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIE WILLIAMS; STYLING BY G. BLAKE SAMS

Wreaths should be a welcome addition to every window, even in side entries like this one pictured here. You need a little Christmas everywhere you go in your home and outside of it, too.

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Fresh and Festive

Christmas Exteriors Fresh and Festive
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This stunning façade uses an array of greenery on everything from the entryway to the upstairs windows. Magnolia really adds a super Southern touch to this display.

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The Great Outdoors For You And Yours

What She Did: Backyard
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Your Christmas tree belongs in your outdoor living room. Adding plenty of holiday cheer outdoors is a simple way to elevate your space and make it feel as inspired as your favorite rooms inside.

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Country Charm

Christmas Exteriors Country Charm
Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo

Casually draped greenery adds a touch of whimsy to this Texas country home's front porch. We also love this large wreath that helps frame all of the greenery.

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Attention-Grabbing Archway

Christmas Exteriors Attention-Grabbing Archway
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Design: Keith Taylor; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

This archway combines a few of the South's quintessential Christmas greenery, like pinecones and magnolia leaves, for a show-stopping entryway. Big buckets filled with small trees and grounded with magnolia, adds a sophisticated, rustic look.

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Whimsical Wrapping

Christmas Exteriors Whimsical Wrapping
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When in doubt, just wrap you porch in garland. The candlelit lamps add a warm glow at night.

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Clean and Casual

Christmas Exteriors Clean and Casual
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Fresh colors get a seasonal upgrade with pops of classic Christmas greenery. Ornaments add easy charm to the year-round centerpiece.

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Paint The Way

What She Did: Front Porch
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This porch's painted floors make it the perfect setting for pops of color and holiday cheer. The red lanterns and throw pillows fit seamlessly into this holiday-inspired space.

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Festive Farmhouse

Christmas Exteriors Festive Farmhouse
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

We are in need of all things warm and wonderful this holiday season, and this cozy display of magnificent greenery just makes us feel all the fuzzies. The bright greenery pairs perfectly with the warm wood tone of the doors to make for the most Southern of displays.

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Refined Rustic Retreat

Christmas Exteriors Refined Rustic Retreat
Photo: Lucas Allen; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Cozy up your back porch by bringing your typical indoor decorations—like a decorated tree and a mantel garland—outside. Roasting some marshmallows over an open fire is also an excellent idea.

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Evergreen Glow

Christmas Exteriors Evergreen Glow
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This festive home shines from the inside out. In the big windows, you can see the big Christmas tree all aglow, but outdoors a lit-up wreath, miniature trees and gorgeous garland make this home the star of the block.

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Tasteful Drapery

Christmas Exteriors Tasteful Drapery
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

White homes love little pops of greenery to get in the spirit. Long strands of garland wrap around the entire boundary of this extended front porch, while an extra-large wreath takes advantage of the wide entryway door.

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Dreaming Of A White Christmas

White Foursquare House in Charleston, SC with Wreaths on Windows for Christmas
Marta Pérez; Styling: Vero Designs

When snow isn't in the forecast, you can still have a stunning white Christmas with just the right touches added to your pearly painted home. We love the bright pops of greenery and red ribbon that make this feel like a classic Christmas home.

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Themed Throws

Christmas Exteriors Themed Throws
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Decorators are always dedicated to the details. Green and red throw pillows add a pop of color on this sizable porch.

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Organic Overload

Christmas Exteriors Organic Overload
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Mother nature made her mark on this doorstep. For a more natural decor theme, group together bundles of festive plants in an array of colors.

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Easy Entertainment

Christmas Exteriors Easy Entertainment
Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason

A big, wooden table makes any outdoor setting instantly feel more welcoming. This party-ready back porch serves as a cheerful spot for overflow party guests, especially with the addition of mason jars filled to the brim with greenery and topped with a tea light.

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Simple Symmetry

Christmas Exteriors Simple Symmetry
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Sometimes the grandest of statements are the simplest to execute. This tasteful decor relies wholeheartedly on classic wreaths, and the effect couldn't be more elegant.

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Paper-White Delight

Backyard courtyard with outdoor fireplace and Christmas tree
Marta Pérez; Styling: Vero Designs

Pots of paperwhites accentuate this outdoor space and make it look just perfect for the holidays. With pops of color to accent this favorite Christmas flower, the display is a present in itself.

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Lit with Luminaries

Christmas Exteriors Lit with Luminaries
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Caroline Cunningham

Who says you need a porch to make your yard merry? We love the simple and easy luminaries lighting the way to this stately house.

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Outfitted with Ornaments

Christmas Exteriors Outfitted with Ornaments
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Ornaments don't just belong indoors. Decorate your porch with colorful orbs for a charming display.

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Red Relics

Cece Calhoun New Orleans House at Christmas
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Suzonne Stirling

The cheerful accents of red from the poinsettias and lounge furniture gracefully pay tribute to the holiday season. And let's be honest, we'd love this display year-round.

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Clean and Simple

Sara and Billy Jack Brawner at Home in Waco, Texas
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Paige Mullins

Sometimes simple always seems to work best. In this case, the blush pink front door garners most of the attention, while thick garland lines the entryway and ornament dotted wreaths hang on the door.

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Go Gold

Christmas Front Door
Photo: Hector Sanchez

A little glitz and glam is good for the soul, and this can be done on a budget. To achieve this elegant look, decorate the door with mixed garland and spray paint palm fronds a sleek gold.

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Forest Fresh

Blue Front Door with Christmas Greenery
Photo: Allison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

The abundance of greens creates a beautiful forest-like bounty. Add garland, tree clippings, and magnolia leaves to attain this Southern look.

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Porch Pining

Cypress Garland Around Front Door with Bell Swag Wreath
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design

It's no secret that we're pining over this porch set-up. Large pinecones add warmth to the luscious garland train and vintage bells add cheerful charm to the front door.

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Pretty in Pink

Christmas in Charleston Tours
Photo: Chris M. Rogers

Think pink this Christmas! Blush ribbons hang from the leafy garland, while a palm frond wreath stands front and center to achieve this coastal Christmas look.

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Christmas Colors

The Harrison's House
Photo: Lucas Allen

If you have a red tin roof, Christmas looks good on your home. Bright red and dark green tag-team this house to create an effortless holiday look.

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Full of Festive Spirit

Gothic Arch Doorway with Garland
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Christmas is the perfect time to go all out on decorations, tastefully done of course. With a joyful holiday-themed runner stretching from the front door to the front steps and green-and-red decor sprinkled throughout—one step on this front porch will instantly transport you to the North Pole.

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Tasteful Tri-fecta

Christmas Decorating Ideas: Stacked Evergreen Wreaths
Photo by Charles Walton IV

This decorating technique is perfect for homes with elongated, glass front doors. Stretch three evergreen wreaths vertically and place a giant bow on top for a stunning finish.

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Magnificent Magnolia

Andrew Howard's Home Decorated for Christmas Front Exterior Door with Magnolia Leave Garland and Wreath
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Liz Strong

Magnolia shines in this front porch's eye-catching decor. An extra-long garland wraps around the door frame, while a bountiful wreath hangs delicately on the front door.

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Luscious Lemons

Natasha Lawler Charlottesville Home Decorated for Christmas with Lemon Wreath on the Front Door
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This citrus-adorned front porch display is perfect for homes in warmer climates. The vibrant yellow of the lemons against the deep red and green adds a refreshing twist on holiday decor.

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Fancy Pheasants

Idea House Holiday Tour
Kriech-Higdon Photography

The rustic decor on our 2021 Kentucky Idea House's outdoor dining table mimics its surroundings. We love the matching pheasant cloth napkins and table centerpiece.

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Fresh Greenery

Charlotte Lucas Back Porch Garland
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Fresh garlands from local tree lots add a hint of the outdoors to this covered porch living space. Blue accents make the green pop even more.

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Nothing Faux About It

See All the Holiday Homes
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This holiday home lends itself to all the greenery in the world with a beautiful brick walk. Magnolia trees and Fraser firs stand at the ready to welcome all holiday guests.

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Wreathed in Red

Making Magnolia Wreaths: Schuler Home
Photo by Ralph Anderson

Magnolia leaf wreaths cover the windows of this country home. We love how the red ribbon accents the brick steps and copper porch roof.

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Green Christmas

Moss Wreath
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This holiday look is all about accenting the elegant green door. A simple satin ribbon adds cream to match the door frame, while the mossy wreath and door garland are welcoming natural wonders.

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Christmas in the Pines

Pinecone Wreath
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Pinecones are pretty and plentiful in the South, and now's the time to take those natural wonders and make them into a holiday delight. This front-entrance display is dotted this the almighty pinecone on all fronts. Festive rust ribbon is the perfect pairing for this particularly prickly display.

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The Mighty Magnolia

Magnolia Lamppost
Laurey W. Glenn

Accents of magnolia on lampposts and mailboxes show your guests that you are in the holiday spirit. Layering the magnolia with accents of other natural beauties like pinecones makes the decoration feel fun and festive.

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Citrus and Pines

Citrus and Pinecone Front Door Christmas Decor
Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Believe it or not, the holidays mark the beginning of citrus season. And in the South, when it's in season we use it. We think you should take a bite out of this holiday design and use fruit in your own holiday decor this year.

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Tied Up in Bows

White Brick Colonial Christmas Decorations Exterior
LAUREY W. GLENN

This stately home is the epitome of "welcome home for the holidays." Satin ribbons and pinecones make for an easy and festive outdoor decoration on all the main exterior elements of the home.

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Blue Christmas

Historic Savannah brick home decorated for Christmas with greenery and blue ribbons
Alison Gootee; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

We'd really be blue if you didn't use this cool color in your holiday display. Satin ribbons and red berries pop against this charming brick home in Savannah, Georgia.

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Ornamented Reindeer

Charlotte Lucas Spartanburg, SC Home Exterior
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Decorated statuary always tie in the holiday spirit – especially when the statuary are reindeer. Applying the same greenery from the door onto the statuary reindeer allows for this display to feel cohesive and welcoming.

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Gold Accents

A. Hays Town Louisiana Colonial Home at Christmas
Photo: Brittany Ambridge; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Sometimes a hint of holiday color is all you need. Gold ribbons and a wicker candle urn standout against oversized pinecones and green garland.

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