The best DIY Christmas ornaments for outside use materials that tend to hold up better in damp and wind: shatter-resistant plastic ornaments, sealed exterior-grade wood, metal, pinecones and weather-resistant ribbon. Keep paper, fabric and salt dough for a covered porch, and use only outdoor-rated lights and cords. With that in mind, a porch, front door, fence or yard tree can look festive without much spending.
For more seasonal projects and supplies, explore our Christmas crafts collection.
Start with outdoor-safe materials
Before making anything, decide where the decoration will live. A covered porch protects paper, fabric and painted wood far better than an exposed fence or tree. For fully exposed spots, choose materials that cope better with moisture and wind: exterior-rated paint or sealer, plastic ornaments, metal, weather-resistant ribbon, sturdy twine and shatter-resistant hanging parts.
Keep electrical safety simple. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends using only lights and extension cords marked for outdoor use, plugging them into GFCI-protected outlets (or a portable outdoor GFCI), keeping cords clear of snow and standing water, and checking everything for damage first. Buy electrical decorations certified by a recognized testing lab such as UL, Intertek (ETL) or CSA, and turn them off before you go to bed or leave home. For anything hung above a doorway, walkway or play area, make sure it is secure and light enough that it will not cause harm if it falls.
| Spot | Good choices | Skip or bring inside |
|---|---|---|
| Covered porch or front door | Sealed wood, painted pinecones, plastic ornaments, sealed salt dough (out of reach of pets) | Unsealed paper in wet, blowing weather |
| Exposed fence, railing or yard tree | Plastic or metal ornaments, exterior paint, weather-resistant ribbon, sturdy ties | Paper, felt, salt dough, glass |
| Where birds feed | Birdseed shapes made from a tested recipe (such as Cornell Lab’s gelatin version) | Ornaments that have softened, spoiled or gone moldy |
| Anywhere with lights | Outdoor-rated, lab-certified lights and cords on a GFCI outlet | Indoor lights, real candles in lanterns |
12 DIY Christmas ornaments for outside
1. Giant ornaments for a porch or tree
Use lightweight plastic bowls or clear plastic ornaments rather than glass. Paint them in a small palette: classic red and green, deep berry and gold, or soft neutral shades, then add a weather-resistant bow. Hang giant ornaments in a covered porch, from a sturdy branch or in a large planter.
2. A personalized front-door ornament
Cut a large circle from exterior-grade wood, or start with a ready-made wooden blank. Add a family name, house number or a short welcome message with paint markers or vinyl, then seal both sides and the edges with an exterior sealer. Attach it to the center of a wreath or hang it directly from a protected front door.
3. Painted pinecones
Gather only dry, fallen pinecones and let them dry fully indoors before painting. Brush the tips with metallic paint, white paint for a frosted effect, or a small amount of biodegradable glitter alternative. Arrange several in a weatherproof bowl on a covered step, or wire them into a garland.
4. Outdoor-friendly salt dough shapes for a covered porch
Salt dough stars, trees and gingerbread-style shapes are a lovely option under cover, but they need careful sealing and should not be left in direct rain. Hang them high: Pet Poison Helpline warns that dogs that eat salt dough can develop serious salt poisoning. Once completely dry, paint them, seal all surfaces and thread them with ribbon. Bring them in after the season rather than treating them as permanent outdoor decorations.
5. Cookie-cutter birdseed ornaments
Make a seasonal display that also feeds backyard birds. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s recipe binds birdseed with plain unflavored gelatin: press the mix into festive cookie cutters and make a hanging hole before it sets. Follow the recipe as written rather than adding extra ingredients. Hang the finished ornaments from branches away from busy doors and windows. Keep them small, and as Maine Audubon advises, check them on mild days and remove any that soften or start to spoil, since mold can harm wildlife.
6. Tin-can lanterns
Clean empty cans, remove sharp edges safely and punch a simple pattern of stars or dots with adult supervision. Paint the outside, then place an LED tealight inside—never a real candle. Line several lanterns along a covered path or porch step, making sure they do not create a trip hazard.
7. A wire-frame ribbon tree
Shape thick floral or craft wire into a simple cone or tree outline, then weave weather-resistant ribbon, faux greenery or outdoor-rated fairy lights through it. The open shape catches less wind than a solid board decoration and looks especially good beside a doorway.
8. Mason jar-style LED snow globes
Use plastic jars where possible for outdoor displays. Fill each one with a small waterproof LED light and a simple winter scene made from plastic or sealed elements. Keep the lids tightly closed and place them on a covered ledge rather than a spot where they can collect water.
9. A ornament garland for railings
Thread shatter-resistant ornaments onto strong twine or outdoor-rated cord, leaving space between each ornament so the display can move without tangling. Secure the garland at several points along a railing or fence. Choose two or three colors for a cleaner look than a mixed assortment.
10. Festive painted plant pots
Give existing planters a temporary Christmas makeover with exterior paint: simple stripes, stars, holly leaves or a snowman face work well. Place evergreen cuttings, faux stems or winter-safe plants inside. If using real plants, make sure the pot can still drain freely.
11. A wreath made from natural cuttings
Use a basic wire wreath frame and add evergreen cuttings, pinecones and weather-resistant ribbon. Start with the larger greenery, then add a few focal pieces instead of covering every gap. A natural wreath works best on a sheltered door and can be composted or dismantled after the season.
12. Oversized gift-box decorations
Wrap empty waterproof storage boxes or sturdy plastic containers in outdoor-safe ribbon, then weight them inside so they cannot blow away. Group three boxes of different sizes beside a porch, planter or outdoor tree for an instant festive focal point.
How to make your display look pulled together
Pick one main color and one accent color, then repeat them in several places. For example, red ornaments, gold ribbon and warm-white lights feel cohesive without needing lots of separate decorations. Keep the largest piece near the entrance, then use smaller ornaments to lead the eye outward along a railing, planter or branch.
Use a quick daylight check before you finish: step back to see whether the display is visible from the street and whether anything is competing with house numbers, paths or the front door. At night, soft LED lighting usually shows handmade texture better than a very bright mix of colors.
Make and store outdoor ornaments well
No homemade ornament is fully weatherproof. How long a piece lasts depends on your climate, the exact paint or sealer and how exposed the spot is, so check displays after storms and bring in anything that is peeling, soggy or loose.
- Seal painted pieces only after the paint is completely dry.
- Use separate hooks, ties or wire for each large ornament rather than relying on glue alone.
- Photograph your arrangement before taking it down, so decorating next year is quicker.
- Store delicate handmade items in labeled boxes indoors, away from damp garages or sheds.
- Replace faded ribbon, cracked paint and worn hanging cords before putting decorations back up.
Make it your own
The best outdoor Christmas display is one you can finish and enjoy. Start with a single area, such as your front door, a windowsill, a fence panel or a yard tree, then add more only if you have time. Handmade ornaments also make thoughtful gifts: a painted wooden disc, a small wreath or a set of sealed porch decorations can be personalized without feeling complicated. For a project that lasts beyond December, paint a wooden birdhouse kit in festive colors and seal it for a covered porch.
Looking for more festive inspiration? Browse our DIY Christmas crafts and read our guide to decorating wooden Christmas ornaments for ideas suited to indoor or covered displays.
Frequently asked questions
What materials hold up best for outdoor Christmas ornaments?
Shatter-resistant plastic, metal, sealed exterior-grade wood, pinecones and weather-resistant ribbon or twine. Paper, felt and salt dough are best kept on a covered porch.
Can you put salt dough ornaments outside?
Only under cover, fully sealed and hung high. Rain softens salt dough, and Pet Poison Helpline warns that dogs that eat it can get serious salt poisoning. Bring the pieces inside after the season.
What lights are safe for outdoor Christmas decorations?
Use lights and extension cords marked for outdoor use and certified by a testing lab such as UL, Intertek (ETL) or CSA, plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet, and use LED tealights instead of real candles in lanterns.
