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In Praise of Outdoor Holiday Decorations That Are Wonky, Homemade, and Definitely Not Professional

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Holiday DecorIssue — Holiday Decor

In Praise of Outdoor Holiday Decorations That Are Wonky, Homemade, and Definitely Not Professional

November 28, 2025

It happens to the best of us. One year, you put up a wreath, maybe surround the front door with twinkly lights. But then, year by year, as more of your neighbors spend thousands of dollars to do up their house Griswold-style for the holidays, you find yourself feeling the pressure to up your game. Maybe you should add lights to the tree in your front yard? Or, gasp, an inflatable Santa? Or maybe you should just surrender to the go-for-broke trend and outsource the decorating to professionals?

Resist. There is priceless beauty in humble DIY holiday decorations. Let this story be a visual palate cleanser—and a reminder that it’s hard to beat the simple and natural. Here, 10 brilliant ideas for easy holiday curb appeal. No risking of life (or going into debt) necessary.

Go evergreen.

Granted, Todd Carr and Carter Harrington, of Hort & Pott in Freehold, NY, are professional makers and designers, but we think anyone can add charm to the front door with a collection of evergreens—the more, the merrier. Photograph courtesy of Hort & Pott, from Shopper&#8\2\17;s Diary: A Botanical &#8\2\16;Speakeasy&#8\2\17; in Freehold, New York.
Above: Granted, Todd Carr and Carter Harrington, of Hort & Pott in Freehold, NY, are professional makers and designers, but we think anyone can add charm to the front door with a collection of evergreens—the more, the merrier. Photograph courtesy of Hort & Pott, from Shopper’s Diary: A Botanical ‘Speakeasy’ in Freehold, New York.

Decorate the car.

Got a car in the driveway you only occasionally drive? Incorporate it into your outdoor holiday design. Photograph by Anson Smart, courtesy of The Cook’s Atelier, from Christmas in Burgundy: At Home with the Expat Family Behind the Cook’s Atelier.
Above: Got a car in the driveway you only occasionally drive? Incorporate it into your outdoor holiday design. Photograph by Anson Smart, courtesy of The Cook’s Atelier, from Christmas in Burgundy: At Home with the Expat Family Behind the Cook’s Atelier.

Bring on the branches.

Crabapple tree branches surround the festive front door of furniture designer Maria Le Mesurier&#8\2\17;s home. “I particularly like them in the winter time as the branches are covered with lichen,&#8\2\2\1; she says. Photography by Maria Le Mesurier, from The Foraged Holiday: Found Decor in Designer Maria le Mesurier’s Home.
Above: Crabapple tree branches surround the festive front door of furniture designer Maria Le Mesurier’s home. “I particularly like them in the winter time as the branches are covered with lichen,” she says. Photography by Maria Le Mesurier, from The Foraged Holiday: Found Decor in Designer Maria le Mesurier’s Home.

Craft some spruce ornaments.

Above: Instead of the traditional wreath, consider hanging these cherry all-natural DIY ornaments on the front door instead. Photograph courtesy of Sayuki Ueno and Kentaro Manabe, from DIY Holiday Decor: Snowflakes of Spruce, from Japan.

Tie a bow.

A giant bow is both on-trend and holiday-appropriate. Learn how to make your own in DIY: Oversized Festive Bows from the Thread Maker in London.
Above: A giant bow is both on-trend and holiday-appropriate. Learn how to make your own in DIY: Oversized Festive Bows from the Thread Maker in London.

Freeze the moment.

If you live in a reliably cold climate, make these lovely frozen ornaments and hang from a tree. Photograph by Sayuki Ueno, from With Love From Japan: DIY Frozen Herbariums.
Above: If you live in a reliably cold climate, make these lovely frozen ornaments and hang from a tree. Photograph by Sayuki Ueno, from With Love From Japan: DIY Frozen Herbariums.

Design mood lighting.

A reminder that candelight flickering from windows is alway a winning combo. Photograph by Anson Smart, courtesy of The Cook’s Atelier, from Christmas in Burgundy: At Home with the Expat Family Behind the Cook’s Atelier.
Above: A reminder that candelight flickering from windows is alway a winning combo. Photograph by Anson Smart, courtesy of The Cook’s Atelier, from Christmas in Burgundy: At Home with the Expat Family Behind the Cook’s Atelier.

Send a message.

Above: We love this elegant holiday greeting courtesy of paper maché artists Farfelus Farfadets. This image made the rounds on Pinterest some years ago, but we’re still enamored. Photograph via Marie Claire Maison.

Create a welcoming path.

Above: Shovel a narrow, welcoming path on the stairs or front walkway to make it look like you’re ready for company–and mailpersons and delivery folks, too. Photograph by Erin Boyle, from Home for the Holidays: 10 Genius Hacks for Festive Curb Appeal.

Light up the fire escape.

Above: Got a fire escape? Deck it with boughs of holly and holiday light. Photograph by Erin Boyle, from DIY: A Holiday Fire Escape.

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