For decades, neighbors have been trying to outdo each other with their outdoor displays at Christmas. From Clark Griswold to Darren McGavin, Ralphie’s foul-mouthed father, holiday movies portray a minefield of tactics used to achieve the status of “Best Christmas Decorations on the Block.” This competition has now moved into real life (although it was always based on reality anyway), thanks to frequent news reports and viral videos of decked-out houses dancing to Christmas carols and organized Christmas light tours through towns across America. To join in the fun, even just a little, you’ll need to invest in some of the best outdoor Christmas decorations.
These days, you can buy every kind of Christmas decoration online, from Christmas wreaths to full-blown, music-synced lighting displays. To keep this article from getting too long, we’re only going to cover Christmas decorations that are not the standard strings of lights you would usually hang from eaves. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out our list of the best outdoor Christmas lights here. Instead, we’re going to focus on 2022’s biggest outdoor Christmas decoration trends. These include:
- Inflatable Christmas Figures
- Light-Up Characters
- Laser Light Projectors
- Signs
- Oversized Ornaments
- Statues
- Garlands
- Yard Sculptures
Whether you’re reading this in Los Angeles or Boston, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for the upcoming Christmas season. Read on to discover our top 35 picks for the best outdoor Christmas decorations available online.
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1. Best Choice Products Lighted Christmas Deer Family Set
BEST OVERALL
With the perfect balance between tasteful and tacky, this Best Choice Products Lighted Christmas Deer Family Set is an excellent investment for your outdoor Christmas display. This three-piece set includes a buck, a doe and a fawn, giving you three differently sized pieces to arrange in a way that suits your space best. The 360 LED lights are all break, fade and chip-resistant and made to last. Additionally, this set is ideal for indoor or outdoor use and comes supplied with metal ground stakes for easier installation.
2. Whaline Christmas Porch Sign
BEST BUDGET
At under $15, these Whaline Christmas Porch Signs are a great way to share your Christmas cheer with anyone passing by. The set includes two banners, one reading “HOLLY” and the other reading “JOLLY.” Each banner measures 72 inches high and 12 inches wide, making them ideal for mounting either side of your front door, any open space between windows, or even on the garage door. Furthermore, they arrive pre-assembled and ready to hang, with eyelets pre-punched in the bottom for more secure fastening.
3. Renxin Inc Christmas Projector Lights
BEST SLIDE PROJECTOR
Forget having to scale your roof to decorate your house this year and instead invest in these easily installed Renxin Inc Christmas Projector Lights. The projector, which projects Christmas-inspired shapes onto your home, comes with a base and a stake, allowing you to choose between the near-instant mounting methods. The IP65 waterproof rating also means you can easily use these lights both inside and outside. What’s best of all is that the lights come with 12 different slides, including Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and other holiday-inspired designs, making this a truly versatile addition to your home decoration arsenal.
4. Prextex Christmas Candy Cane Pathway Markers
BEST FOR PATHWAYS
There is no better way to guide people to your front door than with a set of these Prextex Christmas Candy Cane Pathway Markers. The collection includes 12 17-inch candy cane markers, which are capable of covering around 18 feet. The canes also sport red and white lights to illuminate your pathway when it’s dark. Additionally, each marker comes with a short stake attached to the bottom for quick and easy installation. Numerous sets can be linked together if you want to cover a greater distance.
5. Vickerman Red Shiny Ball Ornament
BEST BALL
With a six-inch diameter, this set of Vickerman Red Shiny Ball Ornaments is a classy way to add a hard-to-miss Christmassy feel to any indoor or outdoor space. Each pack contains four individual ornaments, which are shatterproof and have been pre-drilled and fitted with a secure cap and six-inch floral wire for easy hanging out of the box. Plus, if red isn’t your favorite Christmas color, there are over 25 other colors and glitter, matte and sequin styles from which to choose.
6. Toodour Outside Christmas Tree Lights
BEST TREE LIGHTS
These Toodour Outside Christmas Tree Lights make it easy to turn any outdoor tree into a Christmas feature. The multi-string of lights contains 317 LEDs to deliver comprehensive coverage. It also comes in either plug-in or solar-powered versions to accommodate the more environmentally or budget-conscious out there. You’ll also be able to choose between white, warm white and multicolor options.
7. Home Accents Holiday Norwood Fir Christmas Wreath
BEST WREATH
No outdoor Christmas decoration display is complete without a wreath for the front door. This Home Accents Holiday Norwood Fir Artificial Christmas Wreath measures 48 inches across and includes 200 white LED lights to create a cozy yet relaxing vibe for your home. The 714 tips complete the appearance of this high-quality Christmas decor piece, which you can also use indoors. Furthermore, it’s available in a 60-inch diameter option if you’re looking to cover more space.
8. Home Accents Holiday LED Penguins Slide Yard Sculpture
BEST SCULPTURE
With its four Santa hat and scarf-wearing penguins, this Home Accents Holiday LED Penguins Slide Yard Sculpture oozes Christmas fun. The six-foot sculpture is a fun way to fill your heart with joy every time you pass by. The statue also features 190 LED lights for nighttime illumination to give you a decoration that can be enjoyed all day. Additionally, the set sports a simple design to ensure assembly is quick and easy.
9. BZB Goods Inflatable Santa Claus
BEST SANTA
At 12-feet tall, no one is going to be missing the BZB Goods Inflatable Santa Claus in your yard. This polyester decoration comes with everything you need for installation, including the plug-in air blower, stakes and tethers. The inflatable decoration also lights up for better nighttime viewing and can be deflated, folded up and packed away for easy storage outside of the festive period.
10. Alpine Christmas Ball Ornaments
BEST ORNAMENTS
The Alpine Christmas Ball Ornaments prove the phrase bigger is better to be true. The two-ball structure sports a durable construction that allows it to display inside or outside and ensures you’ll get plenty of years of use as well. It measures 30 inches tall and is powered by two AA batteries, allowing you to place the piece in remote locations. And you won’t have to worry about turning it on or off every day as the ornaments include a built-in timer for a six hours on and 18 hours off rotation.
11. LED Snowman and Retriever
BEST WHIMSICAL
If you want to create an incredibly cute and Christmasy little scene on your lawn, this light-up snowman playing fetch with a light-up reindeer is the perfect outdoor holiday decoration. It’s made from a sturdy metal frame with a tinsel coating and 184 energy-efficient lights for a bright and whimsical display.
12. Christmas in a Box
BEST SPLURGE
If you’re really looking to raise your outdoor decorating game, you need to consider Christmas in a Box. While your typical light controller can deliver on and off-timed displays, this high-tech system allows you to produce advanced shows with fading, twinkling, and perform other perfectly timed effects. In addition to complicated lighting displays, this system lets you choose from a wide variety of Christmas songs, including We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells.
13. Snowflake Pathway Markers
BEST WINTER WONDERLAND
What helps create a winter wonderland more than giant light-up snowflakes? Whether it snows where you live or stays above a comfortable 50 degrees, you can get even more of that wintery Christmas vibe with these three two-foot-tall stakes to line the entry to your home.
14. Falling Star Lights
BEST TREE DECORATIONS
Everyone has the classic Christmas twinkle lights, so go in a more unique direction by hanging these falling star lights from the biggest tree in your yard. All you have to do is hang them whatever way you think looks best and plug in the cord. They’re powered by their own IC chip to fall at random, giving the appearance of falling snow, icicles or a meteor shower.
15. JOY & NOEL Christmas Yard Decor Stakes
BEST RUSTIC
These yard stakes say ‘joy’ and ‘noel’ to help get all the neighbors into the Christmas spirit. They’re intentionally rusted just the right amount to have that rustic, cozy look that’ll make your home look so welcoming, everyone will want to come over for the Christmas festivities.
16. Garden Angel Trellis
BEST TRELLIS
Every home could use a guardian angel, especially around the holidays. This antique metal angel trellis will look lovely in your garden thanks to the hand-painted detail and simple, classic appearance. If you love your tree topper, throw another version into the yard. You’ll probably like it so much, you’ll want to keep it there all year.
17. LUDILO Christmas Window Snowflake Window Decals
BEST DECALS
These LUDILO Christmas Window Snowflake Window Decals are a budget-friendly way to put the finishing touches on any festive display. The set includes five sheets full of a total of 135 pieces, giving you more than enough to make an impact on any smooth surface, such as glass or tile. Furthermore, they require no glue, won’t leave residues when removed and can be reused multiple times.
18. New KAF Home Coir Doormat
MOST VERSATILE
With its eye-catching design and sub $17 price tag, this New KAF Home Coir Doormat offers homeowners a budget-friendly way to brighten up doorways. Its 100% natural coir material construction is made to last, while the non-slip backing ensures it stays in place even when things get wet. It’s also a truly versatile addition, being suitable for use on or in patios, garages, laundry rooms, kitchens and any other entryway.
19. Adecorty Christmas Lights Outdoor Shooting Star Lights
BEST METEOR SHOWER
These Adecorty Christmas Lights Outdoor Shooting Star Lights are another effective way to draw attention to your display. The set is made up of eight tubes, each of which measures 11.8 inches and has 18 LEDs inside. When switched on, these tubes are able to produce a shower-type effect which is ideal for mounting in trees, on roof edges and along fences. The popular lights also come backed by more than 3,000 five-star ratings and are available in a range of styles, including multicolor, blue and purple options.
20. Home Accents Holiday Incandescent Lighted Tinsel Bow
BEST BOW
Like any well wrapped gift, you should really finish your outdoor display off with a bow. In this Home Accents Holiday Incandescent Lighted Tinsel Bow, you’ll have the perfect finisher for your outdoor Christmas decor. It measures two feet from top to bottom and features 35 clear mini lights which offer a twinkling finishing touch that makes it hard to miss. Additionally, built-in suction cups make mounting the bow on windows and doors a quick and easy process.
21. Star Shower Motion Laser Projector Light
BEST LIGHT PROJECTOR
This Star Shower Motion Laser Projector Light can pretty much work as an all-in-one answer to decorating the outside of your home. When on, the plug-in projector can cover the walls, trees and other flat surfaces with hundreds of Christmassy green and red lights. Its range of up to 100 yards means it’s more than capable of covering the average family home while its waterproof construction allows it to function both indoors or out.
22. Elrene Home Farmhouse Living Happy Holidays Coir Doormat
BEST DOORMAT
Ensure guests to your home know it’s Christmas by installing a Christmas-themed doormat. On this Elrene Home Farmhouse Living Happy Holidays Coir Doormat you’ll find an adorable holiday print alongside the words “Happy Holidays.” It also measures 18 by 30 inches and is made from 100% natural coir, making it plenty durable enough for multiple festive seasons.
23. MAOYUE Outdoor Christmas Decorations Star Light
EYE-CATCHING PICK
If you’re really looking to draw eyes into your yard, try adding this MAOYUE Outdoor Christmas Decorations Star Light into the mix. The waterproof decoration is made up of 335 LEDs spread out across nine strings. All of these strings converge together at the giant five-pointed star which can be mounted up high in a tree, on a house or in the most central point of your yard. Once installed and plugged in, the light allows you to choose from eight different lighting modes and also includes a timer which turns the light off after six hours and lights them again after 18.
24. Sunnydaze Decor Polyresin Santa Boots Statue
BEST STATUE
Imagine the reaction kids will have to seeing a pair of Santa’s boots alongside their shoes in the form of this Sunnydaze Decor Polyresin Santa Boots Statue. No matter whether it’s inside or outside, the durable polyresin decoration is sure to go down well. The 13-inch tall stature is also bright red, features a number of eye-catching details like buckles and holly and sports a hollow design, making it great for housing lights, flowers or other decorations.
25. Pottery Barn Pewter Gnome Wreath Hanger
CLASSIEST
If you’re looking for something a little more subtle than giant yard inflatables, this Pottery Barn Gnome Wreath Hanger could be right up your alley. The pewter-coated aluminum piece, which is suitable for either indoor or outdoor use, is shaped like a gnome sitting on the floor with his feet out, an ideal shape for hanging a wreath from. And given its compact size and classy feel, it makes a great gift idea for friends or family who love the festive season.
26. Home Accents Holiday Merry Christmas Sign
BEST SIGN
Adding this Home Accents Holiday Merry Christmas Sign to your front yard is an easy way to say “Merry Christmas” to your neighbors without ever actually having to say it. It measures 11.5 feet across and features large letters, two penguins and Santa Claus himself joining in with the colorful merriment. For quick and simple installation, the sign is self-inflating and comes with both ground stakes and tethers.
27. Holidayana T-Rex Dinosaur Christmas Inflatable
PREHISTORIC PICK
At eight feet tall, this Holidayana T-Rex Dinosaur Christmas Inflatable is a truly imposing addition to any outdoor Christmas display. The prehistoric behemoth comes wearing a Santa hat and bearing a gift. In addition, the six LED lights, a powerful fan, ground stakes and tie-downs included in the box ensure you have everything you need to mount the decoration in your yard.
28. Haute Decor Flamingo Boy Lighted Display
BEST TROPICAL
If you live in Florida, or just feel like having a more tropical Christmas this year, this Haute Decor Flamingo Boy Lighted Display will be the perfect addition to your outdoor decorations. With his little scarf, stocking, fake antlers and wings, this flamingo is more than ready for Christmas. Add in the multiple LED lights and the elf riding on his back and it’s easy to see why so many people love this pink flamingo and the holiday vibes, fun and tropical twist it brings to your Christmas display.
29. The Holiday Aisle Crystal Nativity Scene
BEST NATIVITY SCENE
For a more traditional approach to outdoor Christmas decorations, this The Holiday Aisle Crystal Nativity Scene is an obvious choice. This white and gold, light-up holy family embodies the spirit of Christmas without being too over the top. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions which make assembling the multi-piece scene particularly simple. The multi-part design also makes the decoration particularly easy to transport and store.
30. Home Accents Holiday Nutcracker Y20 Yard Decoration
BEST FOR DOORWAYS
New to The Home Depot’s impressive range of outdoor Christmas decorations, the Home Accents Holiday Nutcracker Y20 Yard Decoration is definitely a worthwhile addition. The colorful, plinth-mounted model sits six feet tall, making it ideal for guarding doors, standing alone in the middle of the yard or even hanging out inside your home. For added aesthetic appeal, the model sports multiple colors, in addition to being covered by 105 white LEDs which produce an appealing, mellow glow.
31. Crystal Snowman Lighted Christmas Decoration
BEST SNOWMAN
With his black top hat, red scarf, stick arms and carrot nose, the Crystal Snowman Lighted Christmas Decoration ticks all the right boxes when it comes to your quintessential snowman. It measures 60 inches tall and comes adorned with 300 UL listed warm white lights to give the snowman a festive glow. The polyester-covered model is also weather and rust resistant, meaning it can be used either indoors or out.
32. The Twillery Co. Elf Pulling Wagon Lighted Display Set
BEST ELF SCENE
This popular The Twillery Co. Elf Pulling Wagon Lighted Display Set is a lovable and cute addition to any Christmas display. Both pieces are made from a wire frame which has been wrapped in tinsel fabric and adorned with 100 warm white LED lights. It’s also suitable for either indoor or outdoor use.
33. Star Wars X-Wing Holiday Inflatable
SCI-FI PICK
If you love Star Wars and Christmas, there’s no better choice of Christmas decoration than this Star Wars X-Wing Holiday Inflatable with Christmas Lights. The seven-feet X-Wing model is self-inflating and sports a durable construction, making it ideal for outdoor use. It also comes with energy-efficient LED lighting built in to help complete its festive look. Additionally, the decoration comes with stakes, so you have everything you need to mount it out of the box.
34. Disney Baby Sven Snowflake Holiday Inflatable
DISNEY PICK
Even if you’re not familiar with the character from Disney’s Frozen, you won’t be able to help loving this Disney Baby Sven Snowflake Holiday Inflatable. At six-feet tall, there’s plenty of Sven to grab attention, while his soft illumination and snowflake-covered tongue only add to the visual, smile-inducing appeal.
35. Home Accents Holiday Gift Boxes Decoration
MOST COLORFUL
If your Christmas display lacks a little bit of color, you may want to add this Home Accents Holiday Gift Boxes Decoration. The towering holiday tribute comprises three beautifully wrapped gifts in ascending size from top to bottom. Color-wise, the sculpture includes red, blue, gold, green and other eye-catching colors to ensure everyone will be looking into your yard as they pass by. In addition, the decoration lights up for more precise nighttime viewing and comes supplied with ground stakes for more secure lawn mounting.
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