Ecofriendly Outdoor Christmas Decorating Ideas

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I especially love decorating my home, both indoors and outdoors, for the Christmas holiday. There are many ecofriendly decorating ideas that we can use to help save our precious environment and also save on electrical bills. Here are some "green" outdoor Christmas decorating ideas I found that will help you not only save the planet, but may also help stretch your decorating budget.

1. Light your walkway with luminaries: Put outdoor flameless pillar candles with timers into clear cylinder shaped vases. Add river rocks, Christmas greenery, red berries and a few small pine cones. This will make a gorgeous path of light for your holiday visitors. You can also use real wax candles and light them each evening if you desire, but I prefer the flameless type for safety reasons and less hassle of having to light them and then put them out each evening.

2. 7' Inflatable Nativity Scene with light & music: This beautiful inflatable display is decorated with interior lights that give a magical glow to Mary, Jesus, & Joseph under an arch with a star above. A collection of classic Christmas music in a music box is included. Everything you need to set up this display is included except 4 AA batteries. There are a lot of Christmas inflatables on the market today, but this one is a favorite of mine by far. I found it on QVC.com for $97.00, which may be a little pricey for some, but it can be used from year to year and it won't hike up your electrical bill either.
3. Make your own snowballs: Spray styrofoam balls with fake snow and pile them in an urn near the front door. They look like real snowballs just waiting to be thrown. For added entry interest decorate an old fashioned sled you may have with greens, pine cones, fruit and a big red weather-proof bow and set it across from the snowballs by the front door.

4. Bethlehem Lights wide angle lights: These led wide angle strands of lights are perfect for decorating trees, wreaths, shrubs, fences, front porches, doorways or anywhere else you want to cast a welcoming colorful glow in your yard. These energy efficient wide angle lights will be a standout in your neighborhood with their pretty holiday illumination. They can also be used indoors, if desired. They're available wherever Bethlehem lights are sold.

5.Decorate window boxes: Fill window boxes with cedar and boxwood boughs, berries, pine cones, sprigs of baby's breathe stuck in florist foam etc. Cut greens can usually survive throughout the season if protected from direct sunlight or weather extremes.

6. Drape garland about your home & yard: Nothing says Christmas like garland draped around your front door, fences, porch, arbors, lantern poles etc. For a nice holiday glow, string miniature led strands of light amongst the garland.

7. Decorate the front porch bench or swing: Give some Christmas spirit to a bench or swing with an arrangement of greenery, some pine cones, and Christmas balls. Add a nice big bow and you're all set.

These are just a few of many eco-friendly ways one can decorate outdoors for Christmas and also save a little extra cash for other Christmas necessities. For countless other "green" Christmas decorating ideas go to hgtv.com or bhg.com.

Sources:hgtv.com
bhg.com
qvc.com
personal experience