Country Style Outdoor Christmas Garland

Country-style outdoor Christmas garland brings a little holiday cheer to the places where folks gather, from a wide front porch to a farmhouse entryway or barn door. Start with full-looking pine, cedar or fir greenery, choosing fresh evergreen garland for its woodland scent or artificial Christmas garland labeled for outdoor use for a display you can bring out year after year. Pinecones, buffalo plaid ribbon and burlap bows give the greenery a down-home feel without making it look too busy. For a splash of Christmas color, tuck in weather-resistant red berry picks or tie red ribbon at intervals along the garland. Draping farmhouse Christmas garland around the front door creates a welcoming focal point, while gentle swags along porch railings help carry the look across the house. If your entry has wooden posts, wrap each one loosely with greenery and leave room for the wood to show through. Repeat a few of the same accents on a nearby wreath to bring the whole porch together. Plan your outdoor Christmas garland display around the weather, your mounting surfaces and the paths your family travels every day. Measure door frames, porch rails and fence sections before shopping, allowing extra length for swags rather than pulling the greenery tight. Attach garland with outdoor-rated hooks, clips or ties suited to the surface, and keep it clear of door swings, steps and handrails where folks need a steady grip. Warm white Christmas lights add a soft glow to country-style greenery, especially along a porch roofline or around a farmhouse doorway. Choose light strands and extension cords labeled for outdoor use, follow the manufacturer's connection limits and plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet. Keep fresh greenery away from flames and heat sources, and check bows, ties and light strands after windy weather. On exposed fences or barn entrances, simpler arrangements with firmly attached pinecones and ribbon are easier to manage than loose hanging accents. A little planning helps your country-style outdoor Christmas garland look welcoming throughout the holiday season without getting in the way of everyday chores.