DIY Large Christmas Yard Decorations: Spread Festive Cheer with These Easy and Affordable Ideas!

Christmas is a season of joy, happiness, and festivity, and what better way to celebrate than decking up your home with beautiful decorations? While store-bought Christmas decor is undoubtedly gorgeous, making your own decorations adds a personalised touch to your home and brings out your creativity. If you’re looking to make your home stand out in the neighbourhood, it’s time to start designing and building your own large Christmas yard decorations.

Materials Needed

Building large Christmas yard decorations may seem daunting, but it’s more straightforward than it appears. Here are some basic materials you’ll require to get started:

– Plywood: Available at any hardware store, plywood is the go-to material for Christmas yard decorations.
– Paint and brushes: You can’t have Christmas decor without paint, and brushes to apply them. You can choose from a wide colour palette, depending on your preference.
– Outdoor lights: String lights are crucial for Christmas, so pick out ones that are specifically meant for outdoor use.
– Nails and hammer: You’ll need a hammer and nails to secure your decoration and keep it in place.
– Jigsaw: A jigsaw is necessary to cut out the plywood.

Designing the Decorations

Once you have all your materials ready, it’s time to start designing your decorations. Here are some steps to consider:

– Choosing a theme: This could be anything from classic red and green to a winter wonderland.
– Sketching out designs: Draw your design for the decoration, preferably on graph paper to ensure accuracy. You can also use a computer program.
– Taking measurements: Measure the size of your yard and the available space where you’d like to display your decorations.
– Making a template: Once you’ve settled on the design, create a stencil out of cardboard that you can use as a template for the plywood.
– Cutting the plywood: Use a jigsaw to cut the plywood according to your template. Make sure to wear protective goggles and gloves.

Painting and Decorating

After cutting out the plywood shapes, it’s time to paint and add decorative elements to the decorations. Follow these steps:

– Preparing the surface: Wipe the plywood surface clean and ensure there are no splinters or dust.
– Applying primer: Apply a coat of primer to the plywood to improve adhesion for the paint.
– Painting the decorations: Use a brush or spray paint to apply the base coat of paint. Allow each coat to dry before applying the finishing details.
– Adding details and accents: Once the base coat is dry, add glitter, ornaments, or other details that you prefer.
– Sealing the decoration: Apply a clear sealer to protect the paint and prolong the life of the decoration.

Installation and Safety

Once you’ve finished painting and adding decorative elements, it’s time to install your decorations. Here are a few steps to follow:

– Choosing the right spot for the decorations: Pick out prominent places in your yard that can accommodate these large decorations.
– Putting up the decorations: Attach outdoor lights to the decoration and secure them into place using nails or anchors.
– Checking for safety hazards: Ensure that wires and cords are hidden and don’t present tripping hazards.
– Maintaining the decorations: Regularly check the decorations and make any repairs or touch-ups as needed.

FAQs

Q: What are some popular designs for DIY large Christmas yard decorations?
A: Popular designs include large wooden trees, oversized ornaments, snowmen or reindeer, and nativity scenes.

Q: What materials are required for easy DIY outdoor Christmas decorations?
A: In addition to the materials mentioned earlier, you can also use PVC pipes, metallic paint, ribbon, and glue guns to create outdoor Christmas decorations.

Q: Can I keep these decorations outside during the winter season?
A: Yes, provided that you take the necessary precautions to protect your decorations from harsh winter elements like snow, hail and wind.

Q: How do we ensure that the decorations are safely installed?
A: Secure your decorations using nails or anchors, and ensure that they don’t obstruct any pathways or create tripping hazards.

In conclusion, DIY large Christmas yard decorations are a fun project that can bring your home to life during the holiday season. With some creativity, a few materials, and a whole lot of festive spirit, you can create decorations that will make your home the talk of the neighbourhood.