During the summer month’s neighborhoods are buzzing with flowers, growing grass, and the smell of fertilizer, but what are you to do with your yard in the winter months.  Most probably consider their yard a lost cause during the winter, especially if you live in a location with a lot of snowfall, however your yard can be transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season.  You can do this by adding some wonderful Christmas lawn decorations!  This doesn’t mean add a few strings of lights to your front bushes or hang a wreath on your door!  There are many things you can do in order to make your yard the most envied on the block! 

Away in a Manger: Nativities for Your Yard

Most neighborhoods have a church that decorates their lawn with a manger scene.  Some churches even do a live nativity once during the holidays.  The church isn’t the only location that can have a fantastic version of the manger on their lawn however; you can have one as well.  There are many ways you can do this and depending on what you choose the prices will vary.  During the months before Christmas you are sure to find a great selection of nativity sets online.  If you want something simple there are sets that just offer Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the angel.  Most outdoor sets are life size, which is what will draw attention to them within your yard!  These sets are usually made out of a hard plastic that can endure the weather, which cuts down on the upkeep.

There are also nativities offered that are framed wire with lights attached to them.  These do not have the same life like appearance but they are bright and festive and are sure to draw some attention!  If you are feeling creative though you can buy a kit to make your own outdoor nativity scene from wood.  These sets will come with patterns, which you will cut out of plywood and then paint and varnish yourself.  If decorating for the holidays is a family affair, this could be a great project for everyone!

Animation at Home: Santa Rides a Harley and Many More!

There are ways to light up your yard without having to deal with all of those pesky strands of lights that just inevitably get tangled year after year.  The solution to this is animated figures, which light up.  Of course there are versions which are not animated, but who doesn’t want a set of eight reindeer running through their front yard.  These figures are available in so many different styles and colors it is almost overwhelming when you look at them.  You can certainly find them in stores during the holidays but you are generally limited with the designs you have to choose from.  If you shop for Christmas decorations online you are sure to find something that fits you and your family just right. 

If you love Santa Claus and proudly want to display that on your lawn around Christmas you can do so with a number of animated figures.  You can of course stick to the traditional Santa and his eight reindeer, but if you are looking for something a bit more unconventional, you can get Santa in a car, Santa on a motorcycle, or even Santa fishing.  The same can be said for other traditional Christmas figures such as snowmen, elves, reindeer, artficial Christmas trees and even igloos.

If you are feeling very traditional you could consider the classic wicker-grazing deer.  These deer are often animated with their heads moving up and down to simulate the act of grazing but they can also be stationary. They are always covered in beautiful white or clear Christmas lights and made of white painted wicker.  This type of decoration is not quite as flashy as Santa driving by on a motorcycle, but it has a very calm and beautiful look that can enhance any home and yard.  More and more these deer are being made out of metal, but no matter which type of grazing deer you choose, wicker or metal, they are all a great holiday addition.

Toy Soldiers and Angels: Statues With a Lot of Heart!

So you might be thinking that animations are a little too over the top and nativity scenes are better left to the church, which leaves you wondering how you can possibly decorate your yard with something different than everyone else?  The answer is easy; you stick with something simple and classic.  Statues are actually very common and popular during the holiday season, and there are many available that could make your yard look amazing.  Take the toy soldier statue for example.  Everyone associates toy soldiers with Christmas, and recognizes their strong and beautiful presence.  What more reason do you need?  Toy soldier statues are usually made of a hard plastic, but some are now being made with strong fiberglass, which will ensure that they are with you for many Christmas’ to come.

You’ve probably been to amusement parks where the lawns are decorated with topiaries, which are sculpted bushes and trees.  These types of plants usually draw a crowd, which gives you even more reason to decorate your yard with them during the holidays.  The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert landscaper to create beautiful Christmas topiaries for your yard.  Several places have angel topiaries that are made from wire and fake pine boughs.  The boughs are wound tightly around the wire making them durable and able to hold up to harsh weather.  This is certainly a unique Christmas decoration that your neighbors will be impressed with.

Decorating for the holidays is fun for the entire family, but when you bring the fun outdoors it becomes fun for the whole neighborhood.  Many towns and cities encourage outdoor Christmas lights and often start decorating contests to get the entire place in the spirit of the season.  Even if you do not live in one of these locations it isn’t any reason not to go all out on your yard.  The options are endless which means you can take the ideas presented above and make them your own and create new ideas as well.  In the end your yard is sure to have everyone talking!