Eight Inexpensive Christmas Window Box Ideas

I love making my own Christmas decorations and window boxes are no exception. Evergreens and ribbons are always a good choice, but I like to dress things up a bit to keep it interesting. Try these ideas, or use them as springboards to design your own inexpensive Christmas window boxes.

1. Birch, evergreens and berries. Cut a section of floral foam to fit the inside of your window box. Insert twigs of birch in the background. Add evergreens - slightly shorter than the twigs - in the foreground. Insert red berries and tie up with a big red bow.
2. Miniature trees. Plant a row of miniature "trees" across the back of the window box. Add delicate pansies in your favorite color and finish off with ivy trailing over the edge. Add red berries to complete the wintry scene.
3. Snowmen. What could be cheerier on a cold winter's day that snowmen dressed up in warm scarves and hats? Add evergreens or miniature trees on either side and tie up with ribbons to match the color of the snowman's attire.
4. Mitten Garland. Fill the window box with evergreens and then gather up old mittens. String them together with heavy yarn and drape them in front of the window box.
5. Box of Toys. Gather old wooden, plastic or metal toys for a whimsical window display. I prefer old-fashioned toys like miniature sleds, toy soldiers and wooden trains - but any toy will do. Glue foam blocks inside the window box to create levels and fill the box with a selection of toys. Wire the backs of toys to floral picks and anchor them into the foam to hold them in place. Cover the floral foam with moss or evergreens to give the box a natural look.
6. Snow Balls. A window box brimming with snowballs brings any home a white Christmas. Spray Styrofoam balls in varying sizes with artificial snow and heap them into a window box. Add floral picks to anchor the balls into the floral foam inside the box. Add white lights for a sparkling display on dark December nights.
7. Wrapped Gifts. Purchase weatherproof gift wrap and create an assortment of wrapped presents to pile the box high. Add ribbons and bows in contrasting colors and string colored lights among the packages. Don't forget to anchor the gifts into the floral foam with floral picks.
8. Stars. Fill the box with an assortment of stars varying the size and shape. Rustic stars in muted colors create country charm, while sparkling silver and gold make a dazzling display. Add old-fashioned lights for country displays or miniature white bulbs for a modern display.

Go ahead. Get creative. Browse through old Christmas decorations or visit the dollar store for inexpensive items for your window box. Look for unusual garlands, whimsical figures and brightly colored ribbons to bring your Christmas window box display to life.

Other work by this author:

Five Quick Easy Christmas Centerpieces
Make Ice Lanterns to Light Up Your Garden
Decorate a Maine Winter Garden with Garlands and Wreaths