Holidays & Occasions Christmas 43 Cheerful Outdoor Christmas Decor Ideas By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 8, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Over the years, we've photographed plenty of Southern homes decked out for Christmas. So we know better than anyone that nobody does outdoor Christmas decorations quite like the South. Christmas wreaths, over-the-top garland, and cheery window decorations are just a few ways to decorate your home's exterior for Christmas. The Southern front porch serves as an extension of your interior style, complete with comfortable lounge furniture and a glass of sweet tea or in the spirit of the season, a hot toddy. Seasonal front porch decor gives passersby and holiday guests a sneak peak of your unique style. We've gathered all of our favorite festive home exteriors, featuring everything from tasteful Christmas window decorations to merry Christmas yard decorations to make your porches and entryways holiday ready. Whether you're decorating your home for a countryside or coastal Christmas, these looks are serving up some serious holiday house goals. Admire the joyous spirit of the holidays from these simple and extravagant exterior styles. 01 of 43 Over-the-Top Garland Photo: Helen Norman The blue-and-green color scheme of this Southern porch mirrors the lush fauna of its surroundings. 02 of 43 Merry and Bright Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason The decor starts with a simple arrangement of wreaths and garland. The golden, glowing lights bring major Christmas cheer to the home. 03 of 43 Magical Magnolia Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson; Design: Carmen Johnston Full, lush magnolia arrangements make a big difference on this small porch. Paint a layer of leaves red for dramatic decor. 04 of 43 Cheerful Layers Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This inviting home uses dimensional layering techniques, like wreaths, bows, and lights, to create a festive display. 05 of 43 Fresh and Festive Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This stunning façade uses an array of greenery on everything from the entryway to the upstairs windows. 06 of 43 Country Charm Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo Casually draped greenery adds a touch of whimsy to this Texas country home's front porch. 07 of 43 Attention-Grabbing Archway Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Design: Keith Taylor; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This archway combines a few of the South's quintessential Christmas greenery, like pinecones and magnolia leaves, for a show-stopping entryway. 08 of 43 Whimsical Wrapping Photo: Laurey W. Glenn When in doubt, just wrap you porch in garland. The candlelit lamps add a warm glow at night. 09 of 43 Clean and Casual Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Fresh colors are given a seasonal upgrade with pops of classic Christmas greenery. Ornaments add easy charm to the year-round centerpiece. 10 of 43 Festive Farmhouse Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This farmhouse exudes Christmas charm with warm lights, classic wreaths, and a luminary-lit pathway. 11 of 43 Refined Rustic Retreat Photo: Lucas Allen; Styling: Matthew Gleason Cozy-up your back porch by bringing your typical indoor decorations—like a decorated tree and a mantel garland—outside. 12 of 43 Evergreen Glow Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Miniature Christmas trees mirror the indoor decor, and multiple wreaths prove that sometimes, more is more. 13 of 43 Tasteful Drapery Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Long strands of garland wrap around the entire boundary of this extended front porch, while an extra-large wreath takes advantage of the wide entryway door. 14 of 43 Themed Throws Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason Green and red throw pillows add a pop of color on this sizable porch. 15 of 43 Organic Overload Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey For a more natural decor theme, group together bundles of festive plants in an array of colors. 16 of 43 Easy Entertainment Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason This party-ready back porch serves as a cheerful spot for overflow party guests. 17 of 43 Simple Symmetry Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This tasteful decor relies wholeheartedly on classic wreaths, and the effect couldn't be more elegant. 18 of 43 Lit with Luminaries Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Caroline Cunningham Who says you need a porch to make your yard merry? We love the simple and easy luminaries lighting the way to this stately house. 19 of 43 Outfitted with Ornaments Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey Ornaments don't just belong indoors. Decorate your porch with colorful orbs for a charming display. 20 of 43 Red Relics Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Suzonne Stirling The cheerful accents of red from the poinsettias and lounge furniture gracefully pays tribute to the holiday season. 21 of 43 Clean and Simple Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Paige Mullins Sometimes simple always seems to work best. In this case, the blush pink front door garners most of the attention, while thick garland lines the entryway and ornament dotted wreaths hang on the door. 22 of 43 Go Gold Photo: Hector Sanchez To achieve this elegant look, decorate the door with mixed garland and spray paint palm fronds a sleek gold. 23 of 43 Forest Fresh Photo: Allison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling The abundance of greens creates a beautiful forest-like bounty. Add garland, tree clippings, and magnolia leaves to attain this Southern look. 24 of 43 Porch Pining Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design It's no secret that we're pining over this porch set-up. Large pinecones add warmth to the luscious garland train and vintage bells add cheerful charm to the front door. 25 of 43 Pretty in Pink Photo: Chris M. Rogers Light pink ribbons hang from the leafy garland, while a palm frond wreath stands front and center to achieve this coastal Christmas look. 26 of 43 Christmas Colors Photo: Lucas Allen Bright red and dark green tag-team this home to create an effortless holiday look. 27 of 43 Full of Festive Spirit Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Christmas time is the perfect time to go all out on decorations, tastefully done of course. With a joyful holiday-themed runner stretching from the front door to the front steps and green and red decor sprinkled throughout—one step on this front porch will instantly transport you to the North Pole. 28 of 43 Tasteful Tri-fecta Photo by Charles Walton IV This decorating technique is perfect for homes with elongated, glass front doors. Stretch three evergreen wreaths vertically and place a giant bow on top for a stunning finish. 29 of 43 Magnificent Magnolia Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Liz Strong Magnolia particularly shines in this front porch decor. An extra-long magnolia garland wraps around the door frame, while a bountiful magnolia wreath hangs delicately on the front door. 30 of 43 Luscious Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez This lemon-adorned front porch display is perfect for homes in warmer climates. The vibrant yellow of the lemons against the deep red and green adds a refreshing twist on holiday decor. 31 of 43 Fancy Pheasants Kriech-Higdon Photography The rustic decor on our 2021 Kentucky Idea House's outdoor dining table mimics its surroundings. We love the matching pheasant cloth napkins and table centerpiece. 32 of 43 Fresh Greenery Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Fresh garlands from local tree lots add a hint of the outdoors to this covered porch living space. Blue accents make the green pop even more. 33 of 43 Nothing Faux About It Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This holiday home lends itself to all the greenery in the world with a beautiful brick walk. Magnolia trees and Fraser firs stand at the ready to welcome all holiday guests. 34 of 43 Wreathed in Red Photo by Ralph Anderson Magnolia leaf wreaths cover the windows of this country home. We love how the red ribbon accents the brick steps and copper porch roof. 35 of 43 Green Christmas Photo: Laurey W. Glenn This holiday look is all about accenting the mossy green door. A simple satin ribbon adds cream that matches the door frame, while the mossy wreath and door garland are welcoming natural wonders. 36 of 43 Christmas in the Pines Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Pinecones are an inexpensive and natural decoration that elevate any entryway. 37 of 43 Magnolia Swags Laurey W. Glenn Accents of magnolia on lampposts and mailboxes lead guests' eyes to the home's entryway garland. 38 of 43 Citrus and Pines Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Citrus pops against classic magnolia garland and flowerpot fillers. 39 of 43 Tied Up in Bows LAUREY W. GLENN This colonial home is the epitome of "welcome home for the holidays." Satin ribbons and pinecones make for an easy and festive outdoor decoration on all the main exterior elements of the home. 40 of 43 Blue Christmas Alison Gootee; Styling: Elizabeth Demos Blue ribbons and red berries pop against this charming brick Savannah, Georgia, home. 41 of 43 Ornamented Reindeer Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Decorated statuary tie in the holiday spirit – especially when the statuary are reindeer! 42 of 43 Retro Red Photo by Laurey W. Glenn Decorations don't have to feel modern to be stylish. Retro decorations like old toys and burlap make an outdoor space feel homey and festive. 43 of 43 Gold Accents Photo: Brittany Ambridge; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Sometimes a hint of holiday color is all you need. Gold ribbons and a wicker candle urn standout against oversized pinecones and green garland. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit