The holiday season is nigh and when the jingle bells start ringing, they just don’t stop.
We’re going to help you give your garden that festive glow, decorating it with Yuletide cheer like Santa himself dropped by.
You might be working with a small garden, but remember, the best gifts come in small packages!
Here are our all-time-favourite outdoor Christmas decoration ideas to turn your small garden into Santa’s grotto.
1. The Charm of Christmas Lights
There’s no Christmas like one lit up by twinkling lights. They are the staple of any Christmas decor and a small garden gives you even more opportunity to get creative!
You can string them around trees, shrubs, and fence posts. Or create a canopy of lights, hanging them across your garden in a crisscross pattern.
If you’re dreaming of a starry night, suspend them from taller plants creating a waterfall effect. Your own little winter starlight, just cozy enough to enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate under.
- Hang twinkle lights on your potted plants
- Wrap lights around your fence posts or porch railing
- Use Christmas string lights to outline your patio
2. Festoon with Festive Plants
Now, no one’s asking you to turn your garden into a mini North Pole, but a few wintry plants here and there wouldn’t hurt – say a mini Christmas tree or holly bush.
Poinsettias are another great option; their vibrant red leaves will add that festive pop to your garden. And of course, there’s the mighty mistletoe!
But remember, some of those holiday plants can be high maintenance – treat them with the TLC they deserve!
3. The Magic of DIY Decorations
Be it Christmas or any other holiday, nothing warms the heart more than good ol’ DIY decorations. Imagine cute reindeer made from birch logs, or bird feeders shaped like stars hanging from your shrubs.
They add that personal magical touch and guess what, they leave a lot of room for mistakes – because perfection is overrated on holidays!
- Craft a snowman from plastic flower pots
- Use leftover scraps and old Christmas ornaments to create a “Memory Lane” area
- Paint pinecones in Christmas colors and hang them up in the trees
4. Welcoming Wreaths
What better way to bring in the Christmas cheers than lovely festive wreaths on your garden gate? Go traditional with evergreen branches, bright red bows, and pinecones, or bring the modern twist with eucalyptus and citrus fruit slices. You won’t just be enticing Santa in, but all the neighborhood hummingbirds.
5. Enchanting Christmas Lanterns
Lights give the hallmark glow of Christmas, but don’t just limit it to fairy lights. Lanterns can bring soft glows to hidden corners of your garden.
Set them on your pathways, in between plants, or hang them on branches. Pop in a few LED candles, and voila!
6. Personalized Garden Gnomes
Don’t leave your beloved garden gnomes out of the holiday fun. Give them a little Christmas makeover – paint them in holly-jolly colors or just a simple Santa hat on their heads.
- Give your gnome a red jacket and white beard transforming him into Santa
- Make a little elf hat and shoes for your gnome out of felt
- Paint your gnome gold, silver, or any other metallic color that blends with your other Christmas decorations
- Or make your own festive garden gnomes from scratch!
7. Decorate Your Topiaries
Imagine your garden pathway lined with stunning lighted topiaries. Your house will stand out in the neighborhood like a lighthouse guiding Santa’s sleigh.
Or, wrap them up like Christmas presents! Add a festive touch with rich red ribbon tied in a bow.
8. Wooden Baubles
For a natural look, decorate you plants and trees with wooden cut-out baubles.
And don’t limit it to Santa! Include all his reindeer, a snowman, a gingerbread house… let your imagination run free. Just remember to tie them on well against the winter winds.
9. Joyous Wind Chimes
Yes, wind chimes! Customize them with Yuletide elements – bell-shaped chimes or a snowflake topper. Every breeze will bring a festive jingle and spread musical Christmas magic all around.
- Use red and green beads to create candy-cane-like stripes on your chimes
- Replace regular wind catcher with Christmas ornaments or bells
- For a more luxurious look, Etsy has lots of amazing options in gold and silver
10. A Yuletide Water Feature
If you’re lucky enough to have a water feature in your small garden (we’re thinking more birdbath than koi pond, but hey, everyone has a different definition of small…) give it a Christmas twist.
Let some tiny candles float on the water, or add a waterproof light feature for some rainbow reflections.
11. Vintage Sled Decor
Give a nod to the snowy days by decorating a sled with classic evergreen swags, red bows, and pinecones. Prop it against a wall or lay it flat on the grass—either way, it’s a dashing statement!
12. Miniature Christmas Village
Tap into your playful side by creating a miniature Christmas village in one corner of your garden. A mix of a few Christmas gnomes, some DIY balsa wood houses, teamed up with mini Christmas trees, you got yourself a small magical world.
13. Decorative Christmas Planters
Turn your everyday planters into holiday show-stoppers. Paint them into mini santas, reindeer, snowmen, or just decorate them with mini trees for a chic minimal look.
This is also a great way to have some festive fun with friends or kids (or alone with a glass of wine…)
Now that we have spilled all our festive secrets, it’s time for you to roll up your sleeves and bring that Christmas magic to your garden.
And remember, it’s not the space that matters, it’s the love and joy you put into it. Let every twinkle and jingle echo the warmth of your heart.
Until then, keep the hot chocolate warm and the Christmas spirit high!
Love,
A+A
