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Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Outdoor Decorating 2016

My husband and I were talking about outdoor decorating this morning when we were out searching for the pine garland we love for the outside of our house.  We both agreed that while it is ok to do the decorating for the outside of the house before Thanksgiving, it is not ok to turn your lights on.  So when we came home tonight after dinner and saw all the lights that were on in our neighborhood, we were aghast. (secretly though, I was thrilled!)

2015 Outside House Decorations

Where do you stand on this question:  Is it ok to have your Christmas outside lights on before Thanksgiving?

We plan for two scenes:  The nighttime scene, where there are lights and candles on the porch or in windows and the daytime scene, where you can enjoy a charming porch of beautiful decorations.

Theme or no theme?  We do not use a theme but we always enjoy those clever people who can make a Santa's workshop on their front lawn!  We have collected a number of decorations over time and the best I do is to mix up where they go and maybe add a new decoration or two each year, and "retire" those decorations who have lived out their Christmas life.

Working lights?  We check each set of lights before adding them on the columns, fence or doorway. NO ONE wants to have to take down the lights after they have been put up!  We also check for extension cords and timers, too.

Wreaths?  Check your wreaths to see if they are fluffy and ready to sparkle on your porch.  I usually remake the bows each year, but if the bows just need a little fluffing after being stored all year, that's a great time savings!

Outdoor miscellaneous?  Make sure your decorations are anchored if you live in a windy area like we do.  You will want to make sure that your decorations are heavy enough to withstand some winter winds!  We have chased down enough pillows to last a lifetime!  We love using the hooks that stay on strong but can be taken off easily.  We use the clear ones and leave them up all year.

Enough help?  We've learned that it is ok to ask for help with decorating.  Our son-in-law helps with the roping around the columns and we hire a high school kid to help us bring trees and crates up the stairs.  We'll do the same when it is time to take it all down, too.

Stay tuned to see pictures of our neighborhood in both the night time and day time scenes.  We have a lot of  homes who do both very well!



Would you like to comment?

  1. Terri,
    We decorated the outside of our house the week after Halloween when it was 50 -60 degrees. Now it is in the 30's with some snow and I am so glad that we did it then. I will not put the lights on though at night until Thanksgiving Day night. That is out tradition... I am now posting over on m Christmas blog....
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  2. I adore your porch! We are going to do snowflakes hanging from the porch ceiling and we will wrap garland around the cedar columns.

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  3. I say it is absolutely okay! My theory is, if you are going through all that trouble, you might as well enjoy it for more than one month. BUT I know a lot of people feel differently. For me, I have never hosted Thanksgiving, so after Halloween, I am usually ready to decorate!

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  4. I don't mind if people decorate ahead of time. I love the idea of having day time and night time scenes. It's good to have everything prepared, the earlier the better. I really like how your house looks!

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  5. I grew up being taught NO. But now that I have kids who long for them to be up early, we put them out as soon as we want.If stores can do it why can't I!

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  6. Thanks for the helpful hints. I always forget to check to make sure all the light s are working before putting them up. Double the work.

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  7. I don't do a whole lot of outdoor decorating when it comes to the holidays, but my parents always did. It was so much fun and gave us time together.

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  8. Your home is gorgeous! Love your decorating ideas, we can't wait to get ours set up!

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  9. We always start our Christmas set-up the week of Thanksgiving! We don't always turn everything on, but I LOVE Christmas, so I don't think its too early

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  10. Great tips! I love decorating the outside of my home for Christmas! I too remake my bows every year.

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  11. I'm looking forward to decorating for the holidays. So much fun. I drive the kids around to see the lights around town too.

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  12. I will say I do not put up any decor until after thanksgiving its just not right in my eyes. But hey who am I to tell other what to do or how to celebrate or how early just not my thing...

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  13. We have never ever decorated for Christmas but this year I definitely want to hire someone to help me put up the Christmas lights! My hubs travels so I will so need help!

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  14. I love decorating the house for Christmas!!!! As soon as we get back from visiting family early next week... it's on!!!!

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  15. Haha I agree with you! Okay to put them up but wait to turn them on until after Thanksgiving. I can't blame others for being impatient though, there's just something so fun and exciting about seeing your house all lit up for everyone to see ^^

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  16. Here where the weather gets really cold, we usually put lights on around Halloween! It's too cold sometimes to get those lights on at the end of November!

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  17. I love how pretty a decorated house looks. The outside is what everyone sees first, so it makes sense that it look beautiful.

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  18. Thanks so much for the idea,I am gonna try doing the pillars on our front porch instead of the usual garland. Exactly the idea I was looking for. Thanks again
    I am going to buy some
    Best Christmas Trees on Amazon from here

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Receiving comments are like getting a candy cane on your present! Special!