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  1. Southern Living
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  4. 43 Cheerful Outdoor Christmas Decor Ideas

43 Cheerful Outdoor Christmas Decor Ideas

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated December 08, 2021
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Christmas Exteriors Evergreen Glow
Credit: 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.

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Over-the-Top Garland

Christmas Exteriors Over-the-Top Garland
Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

The blue-and-green color scheme of this Southern porch mirrors the lush fauna of its surroundings.

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Merry and Bright

Christmas Exteriors Merry and Bright
Credit: 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.

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Magical Magnolia

Christmas Exteriors Magical Magnolia
Credit: 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.

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Cheerful Layers

Christmas Exteriors Natural Layers
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This inviting home uses dimensional layering techniques, like wreaths, bows, and lights, to create a festive display.

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Fresh and Festive

Christmas Exteriors Fresh and Festive
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This stunning façade uses an array of greenery on everything from the entryway to the upstairs windows.

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Country Charm

Christmas Exteriors Country Charm
Credit: Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo

Casually draped greenery adds a touch of whimsy to this Texas country home's front porch.

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Attention-Grabbing Archway

Christmas Exteriors Attention-Grabbing Archway
Credit: 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.

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Whimsical Wrapping

Christmas Exteriors Whimsical Wrapping
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When in doubt, just wrap you porch in garland. The candlelit lamps add a warm glow at night.

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Clean and Casual

Christmas Exteriors Clean and Casual
Credit: 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.

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Festive Farmhouse

Christmas Exteriors Festive Farmhouse
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This farmhouse exudes Christmas charm with warm lights, classic wreaths, and a luminary-lit pathway.

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Refined Rustic Retreat

Christmas Exteriors Refined Rustic Retreat
Credit: 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.

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Evergreen Glow

Christmas Exteriors Evergreen Glow
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Miniature Christmas trees mirror the indoor decor, and multiple wreaths prove that sometimes, more is more.

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Tasteful Drapery

Christmas Exteriors Tasteful Drapery
Credit: 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.

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Themed Throws

Christmas Exteriors Themed Throws
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Green and red throw pillows add a pop of color on this sizable porch.

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Organic Overload

Christmas Exteriors Organic Overload
Credit: 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.

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Easy Entertainment

Christmas Exteriors Easy Entertainment
Credit: Photo: Monica Buck; Styling: Matthew Gleason

This party-ready back porch serves as a cheerful spot for overflow party guests.

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Simple Symmetry

Christmas Exteriors Simple Symmetry
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

This tasteful decor relies wholeheartedly on classic wreaths, and the effect couldn't be more elegant.

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Lit with Luminaries

Christmas Exteriors Lit with Luminaries
Credit: 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.

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Outfitted with Ornaments

Christmas Exteriors Outfitted with Ornaments
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Ornaments don't just belong indoors. Decorate your porch with colorful orbs for a charming display.

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Red Relics

Cece Calhoun New Orleans House at Christmas
Credit: 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.

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Clean and Simple

Sara and Billy Jack Brawner at Home in Waco, Texas
Credit: 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.

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Go Gold

Christmas Front Door
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

To achieve this elegant look, decorate the door with mixed garland and spray paint palm fronds a sleek gold.

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Forest Fresh

Blue Front Door with Christmas Greenery
Credit: 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.

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Porch Pining

Cypress Garland Around Front Door with Bell Swag Wreath
Credit: 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.

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Pretty in Pink

Christmas in Charleston Tours
Credit: 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.

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Christmas Colors

The Harrison's House
Credit: Photo: Lucas Allen

Bright red and dark green tag-team this home to create an effortless holiday look.

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Full of Festive Spirit

Gothic Arch Doorway with Garland
Credit: 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.

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Tasteful Tri-fecta

Christmas Decorating Ideas: Stacked Evergreen Wreaths
Credit: 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.

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Magnificent Magnolia

Andrew Howard's Home Decorated for Christmas Front Exterior Door with Magnolia Leave Garland and Wreath
Credit: 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.

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Luscious Lemons

Natasha Lawler Charlottesville Home Decorated for Christmas with Lemon Wreath on the Front Door
Credit: 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.

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Fancy Pheasants

Idea House Holiday Tour
Credit: 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.

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Fresh Greenery

Charlotte Lucas Back Porch Garland
Credit: 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.

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Nothing Faux About It

See All the Holiday Homes
Credit: 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.

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Wreathed in Red

Making Magnolia Wreaths: Schuler Home
Credit: 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.

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Green Christmas

Moss Wreath
Credit: 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.

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Christmas in the Pines

Pinecone Wreath
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Pinecones are an inexpensive and natural decoration that elevate any entryway.

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Magnolia Swags

Magnolia Lamppost
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Accents of magnolia on lampposts and mailboxes lead guests' eyes to the home's entryway garland.

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Citrus and Pines

Citrus and Pinecone Front Door Christmas Decor
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Floral Design: Mary Cox Brown; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Citrus pops against classic magnolia garland and flowerpot fillers.

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Tied Up in Bows

White Brick Colonial Christmas Decorations Exterior
Credit: 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.

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Blue Christmas

Historic Savannah brick home decorated for Christmas with greenery and blue ribbons
Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Elizabeth Demos

Blue ribbons and red berries pop against this charming brick Savannah, Georgia, home.

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Ornamented Reindeer

Charlotte Lucas Spartanburg, SC Home Exterior
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

Decorated statuary tie in the holiday spirit – especially when the statuary are reindeer!

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Retro Red

Christmas Decorating Ideas: Porchs and Patios
Credit: 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.

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Gold Accents

A. Hays Town Louisiana Colonial Home at Christmas
Credit: 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.

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    1 of 43 Over-the-Top Garland
    2 of 43 Merry and Bright
    3 of 43 Magical Magnolia
    4 of 43 Cheerful Layers
    5 of 43 Fresh and Festive
    6 of 43 Country Charm
    7 of 43 Attention-Grabbing Archway
    8 of 43 Whimsical Wrapping
    9 of 43 Clean and Casual
    10 of 43 Festive Farmhouse
    11 of 43 Refined Rustic Retreat
    12 of 43 Evergreen Glow
    13 of 43 Tasteful Drapery
    14 of 43 Themed Throws
    15 of 43 Organic Overload
    16 of 43 Easy Entertainment
    17 of 43 Simple Symmetry
    18 of 43 Lit with Luminaries
    19 of 43 Outfitted with Ornaments
    20 of 43 Red Relics
    21 of 43 Clean and Simple
    22 of 43 Go Gold
    23 of 43 Forest Fresh
    24 of 43 Porch Pining
    25 of 43 Pretty in Pink
    26 of 43 Christmas Colors
    27 of 43 Full of Festive Spirit
    28 of 43 Tasteful Tri-fecta
    29 of 43 Magnificent Magnolia
    30 of 43 Luscious Lemons
    31 of 43 Fancy Pheasants
    32 of 43 Fresh Greenery
    33 of 43 Nothing Faux About It
    34 of 43 Wreathed in Red
    35 of 43 Green Christmas
    36 of 43 Christmas in the Pines
    37 of 43 Magnolia Swags
    38 of 43 Citrus and Pines
    39 of 43 Tied Up in Bows
    40 of 43 Blue Christmas
    41 of 43 Ornamented Reindeer
    42 of 43 Retro Red
    43 of 43 Gold Accents

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