Outdoor Christmas decorations - Daytime

When it comes to outdoor Christmas decorations, we tend to think about twinkling lights glowing after dark. But your front porch, steps, and yard deserve to look just as festive all day long - especially when the sun is shining. With just a few simple touches, you can decorate beautifully for daytime curb appeal that welcomes neighbors, friends, and delivery drivers - lol.

Below are some of my favorite outdoor Christmas decor ideas that rely on color, greenery, and texture instead of lights. They’re budget-friendly, easy to adapt to your home, and perfect for adding cheerful holiday charm whether it’s bright daylight or snowy Wisconsin winter gloom.

If you are looking for a few other Christmas decor posts, take a look at this DIY Lantern post and this post about how to DIY Your Christmas Planter. I also have a post full of Inexpensive Christmas Decorations!

I love seeing Christmas decorations. Last year, I was really impressed by the decorations, which looked great during the day. I think this is harder to do and takes a little more planning than the lights at night. I started planning what I needed for mine in the early fall. It was the sled that was elusive, but I was successful in finding one. Here is what was on my front porch. Sadly, that's about the extent of my outdoor decorating last year.

Use Greenery to Bring Winter Life to Your Porch

Evergreens instantly add holiday spirit. You can use fresh or artificial branches - both work well in planters, window boxes, or tucked around porch steps.
Ideas to include:

• Fill tall planters with pine boughs, spruce tips, and cedar branches
• Add height with birch logs or clipped branches
• Tuck in red berries and pinecones for color

Tip: Fresh greenery often lasts outdoors all winter in cold climates!

I will admit the fresh snow certainly pulled the look together :).

Add a Statement Wreath (or Two!)

A bold wreath makes a big impact and can be seen from the street.
Try:

• One oversized wreath hung on your front door
• Matching wreaths hung on windows or porch pillars
• Ribbon in bright red, plaid, or metallic tones

Simple, classic, and always festive. One of my favorite homes in my subdivision has a clean, classic, wonderful Christmas look using wreaths.

Cozy Winter Touches (No Lights Needed)

Your daytime decorations can rely on fun props that have big visual impact:
Some easy additions:

• A vintage sled leaning against the porch wall
• A pair of ice skates tied with ribbon
• A stack of wrapped “fake” presents in weatherproof paper
• A festive doormat for a warm welcome

These pieces tell a story - and photograph well too!

And the welcoming bench by the front door. It's a perfect place to place a wreath and a lantern!

Decorate with Seasonal Planters

Holiday planters bring color and texture to the area where guests first arrive.
Include elements like:

• Spruce tips or dogwood branches for height
• Magnolia leaves for shine
• Small ornaments or ribbon for sparkle
• Outdoor lanterns next to planters for balance

Here is my neighbor's entryway. Lots of pops of red.

A close-up of the wreath.

And some more!

This is my favorite red accent. It's a Parol. A traditional Philippine Christmas lantern. Isn't it pretty?

And my favorite window boxes from this summer got a Christmas makeover!

Look closer. I did!

Create a Simple Winter Garland

Garland instantly frames your entryway.
Place it:

• Around the front door
• Across railings or porch fencing

Add big bows in a bold holiday color to help the greenery pop during daylight.

I do think a wreath on the door would finish off the look! But, I may have taken this photo before the deccorating was done.

One more front porch that I think is just so pretty!

Let me show you some of these things a little closer:

With the matching tree:

And Wreath:

Beautiful in its simplicity.

Thanks to my friends and neighbors for letting me take pictures of your Christmas decorations and post them on my blog. You guys are awesome (and so are your Christmas decorations)! THANK YOU!

Originally published Nov. 22, 2014. Updated for images and clarity.