Holidays are as fun as you make them, and decorating your home lets you enjoy the festivities of the season every time you walk through your front door.
You can help not only yourself but your family, neighbors and any passersby enjoy the holidays by creating a beautiful entrance on the outside of your home.
Here are four tips for inviting holiday entrances.
Use your own style
Whether you like to use all-natural decorations, throw glitter on everything or anything in between, you have options.
Go the natural route for Thanksgiving by reusing your Halloween jack-o'-lanterns. Turn them around and write messages on them, such as “Give gratitude” or “Thanksgiving.” Add glitz by painting them different colors and writing messages with puffy paint or glitter glue.
For Hanukkah, use papers that would otherwise go in the recycling bin to create a garland of dreidels that can hang across the door or along a banister. Zhuzh it up by adding the dreidels to a string of lights (or buying a set) so you can flick them on at night.
For Christmas, look for garlands or pine trees to drape or set on a step. You can leave them as-is or affix your own touches, with bows, shiny baubles and so on.
Pick a few permanent pieces
With several holidays coming in a short span, choosing pieces to keep at your entrance will simplify decorating. You can then add accents for each holiday as it comes.
For example, find a few local plants or branches to display in a large outdoor vase or clay pot. Perhaps you have some favorites in your yard or your neighbor is willing to share. Whatever it is, you can personalize by tying a ribbon around them or mixing in colorful items from a craft store.
Lights are a pretty way to add sparkle, so choose some you’ll consistently enjoy seeing in your space. White lights go with everything, and you can add other colors for various holidays.
Plan for stormy weather
Weigh down anything that could blow away. Put rocks in vases and pots; use cast-iron pieces that will add interest to your theme, and pair them with delicate pieces to hold them in place.
Check the packaging of lights to ensure they are meant for outdoor use, and connect them to a timer, so you won’t forget to turn them on at night or off in the morning. Bonus: Lights on a timer could also act as a theft deterrent.
If you’re going the do-it-yourself route with decorations, use materials that will withstand the weather, such as wicker, canvas or burlap. You can spray a fabric protector on them, as well.
Invite neighbors to join in
There’s nothing like passing by a neighborhood where everyone has gotten into the festive spirit. No matter the holidays you all celebrate, make it fun by hosting a party to create decorations.
For example, wreaths are versatile, as you can personalize them with mini corn cobs for Thanksgiving, small menorahs for Hanukkah and Santa hats for Christmas. Ask everyone to bring something to add, so you’ll have many choices.
At the same time, you can host a decoration exchange, inviting people to bring what they no longer use and pick up “new” options. That way, beautiful ornaments don’t have to sit in storage, and everyone can pitch in to make your neighborhood beautiful.
Ask the experts
If you’re not only preparing for the holidays but also preparing to buy or sell a house, decorations are an inviting way to show off your space to potential buyers or to make you comfortable in your new home.
The Trumm Team will advise you on how to stage your house during the holidays and help you find a new home you will love. Contact one of the professional real estate agents to ask any questions you have and set up an appointment to meet with one of the experts.
