It’s that time of year again, and as the big day draws near, even the grouchiest Grinches and Scrooges can’t help but feel the tingle of Christmas cheer! If you haven’t got around to decorating the outside of your home yet, have no fear. We’ve come up with a host of ideas to make your home and yard sparkle with festive spirit.

Deck the Porch with Boughs of Holly

Holly has been used to decorate homes since the days of ancient Romans and Druids, and it’s a Christmas decoration that will never go out of style. The spiky, evergreen leaves and red berries spell Christmas cheer instantly. Garlands of holly, fir tree and pine cones wrapped around your porch are both a simple and timeless DIY decoration that will make your home look ready for the holiday season.

Outdoor Christmas Tree

There are no rules against having two Christmas trees. Yes, we checked. So this year, why not have a separate Christmas tree in your yard? There’s still time to pick up a potted fir tree or even an evergreen shrub, like false cypress, yew, American Arborvitae or juniper. Once decorated, it will add a veritable festive touch to your garden and can even become a year-round fixture if you plant it in the soil. We can’t guarantee that Santa will leave presents under both trees, but it’s worth a try.

A Lawn of Festive Gnomes

There’s something about garden gnomes that makes you think of Christmas even in the height of summer. Maybe it’s the knowing smiles, pointy hats and white beards making them look like miniature versions of Santa Claus. So even if your garden doesn’t have a host of gnome residents throughout the year, letting them take over your lawn at Christmas should be a must. And if you’re feeling creative, you can also use them to build a miniature Christmas village.

A Trio of Vibrant Colors

Nothing says Christmas like the red and green color combo. But we promise that breaking away from the traditional color scheme won’t put you on Santa’s naughty list. So if you’re feeling a bit bold, try adding a touch of gold or orange to your palette. For a retro look, muted colors such as mint green, vintage pink and snow white are a perfect pick. Or, for a porch that really stands out, a mix of blue, gold and white is sure to catch everyone’s eye.

Light It Up

With the darkest month of the year in full swing, you’ll need plenty of light to keep the winter blues at bay. So bring out the garlands of fairy lights, festoon lights, star lights, LED rope lights, and let them take over your garden. The secret to avoiding a tacky look is keeping it simple and cohesive. Strings of lights with different shapes but a similar hue will look far more stylish than an RGB display that’s so bright you can see it from the North Pole.

Cozy Up on the Deck

Just because temperatures drop below freezing doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy hanging out on your patio. With a few sheepskins on the chairs and benches, a couple of fluffy blankets, a stack of decorative logs and a few candles in the garden lanterns, your porch will become a cozy nook, perfect for enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.

Edible Decorations for Birds

Christmas is a time for giving. Even though it may not seem it, your garden is still home to many wild birds that need a bit of care over the cold season. Try decorating your shrubs with strings of dried fruit slices, such as apple, pear and orange, or making Christmas decorations out of suet and birdseed. These ornaments are perfect if you’re looking to spread the festive cheer in an eco-friendly way.

Natural Wreaths

No Christmas decor is complete without at least one wreath on the door. You can keep it simple with a classic fir tree, pine cone, red berries and ribbons wreath, or go for a new and unique look. Dried magnolia leaves are a gorgeous substitute for evergreen boughs, especially when you add some poinsettia flowers to the mix. Or you can mix rustic and exotic with a wreath of pine, dried orange slices and peels, cinnamon sticks, and even candy canes.

Repurpose and Upcycle

A few hurricane lamps filled with Christmas globes and fairy lights will instantly give your porch and stairs a warm, inviting vibe. Bring that old sleigh out of your shed, paint it red and green, and you’ve got yourself a rustic outdoor coffee table, perfect for your cozy deck. Got any empty plant baskets left over from summer? Simply fill them with evergreen boughs, globes and tinsel and turn them into hanging garland pots.