One of the easiest and best ways to decorate your outdoors for the holiday season is to re-use your hanging baskets and containers from this past summer – and fill them with holiday lights, ornaments, greenery and more to create amazing Christmas decorations for a fraction of the cost!
Let’s face it, decorating for the holidays can be expensive! Especially when many store-bought decorations are flimsy, weak – and barely able to make it through a single season outdoors without damage.
But that is exactly where using your hanging baskets, containers and window boxes can save the day! Not only are outdoor garden pots and baskets built to handle the outdoors with ease, they also can make incredible decorations with minimal effort.
As you will see below, the best part of all is that in many cases, you can dress your outdoor containers up with items you might already have on hand.
Whether it’s extra ribbon, ornaments, a few strands of lights, or pine cuttings from existing trees in your landscape – all you need is a little imagination and you can create inexpensive decorations that light up your outdoors for the holidays.
With reusing your old containers in mind – here is a look at a few tips along with some great ideas for filling your garden containers this year with Christmas Magic!
How To Make Christmas Decorations From Hanging Baskets, Containers & Window Boxes!
Step 1 : Selecting The Right Containers, Pots & Hanging Baskets
When turning containers into outdoor Christmas decorations, success all starts with selecting winter-proof pots that can withstand freezing temperatures. One thing is for sure, you don’t want to damage or ruin the pots you have before next spring’s planting season!
Materials like clay and terracotta, while beautiful, are porous and prone to cracking in the cold as water absorbed into the material expands when it freezes. Instead, use available containers made from frost resistant materials such as fiberglass, plastic, metal, or treated wood.
These options are not only durable but are also highly versatile for creating great displays. Simply clean them out and they are ready to go! See our article: How To Save Potting Soil From Hanging Baskets & Containers For Next Year
Fiberglass and metal are particularly reliable because they are resistant to frost. They are also available in a wide range of sizes and finishes. Even better, they can mimic the look of more delicate materials like ceramic without the risk of breaking.
Metal containers, such as galvanized steel buckets, are another excellent choice. They offer a rustic charm and hold up well in freezing conditions, especially if you line them with a protective layer like foam or bubble wrap to insulate against extreme cold.
Perhaps best of all, even if you purchase new containers to decorate for Christmas, you can then use them again next spring and summer for flowers and more. Affiliate Link: Deco 79 Metal Indoor Outdoor Planter Large Planter Pot with Handles, Set of 2 Planters.
Step 2: Selecting The Best Materials To Use – How To Make Christmas Decorations From Hanging Baskets, Pots & Window Boxes!
Once you have your baskets and pots ready to go – it’s time to fill them with big holiday interest and color. The good news is there are so many choices when it comes to finding materials to fill your baskets with holiday color!
For a traditional look, go with rich greens and bright reds. Holly branches, red berries, and lush evergreen sprigs all can create that classic holiday feel. As can pine cones, cinnamon sticks and burlap or traditional ribbons. Here are some of our all time favorites to use in our baskets and pots:
- Evergreen branches (pine, cedar, fir)
- Holly and ivy (natural or artificial)
- Ornaments (always use shatterproof for outdoor use)
- Pine cones (natural or spray-painted)
- Ribbons (wired ribbon holds its shape best)
- Twigs and branches (spray-painted gold or silver for an added touch)
- Dried flowers (such as hydrangeas) sprayed with glitter or metallic paint
Creating Your Finished Christmas Baskets, Pots & Hanging Baskets
Once you have your materials on hand, start by creating a sturdy base in your container. One of the easiest ways to do this is with greenery. It truly is the perfect foundation for your decoration – whether it be live cuttings or artificial.
Arrange evergreen branches so they fan out and fill the container for a base. This helps to give a full and lush appearance right from the start. When using hanging baskets, allow the branches to drape over the edges for added interest an depth.
In place of greenery, you can also use floral foam or styrofoam as the base. These are both great for sticking branches directly into to secure from harsh winter weather. The real key is to simply create a lush base to then add other more colorful and shimmering decorations. Affiliate Product Link: 6 Pcs Floral Foam Blocks for Flower Arrangement, Wet and Dry Green Floral Foam
Adding More Holiday Interest – How To Make Christmas Decorations From Hanging Baskets, Pots & Window Boxes!
Once you have a great base, it’s time to really add the finishing touches. One of the easiest ways to do this inexpensively is add painted twigs or branches. Spray-paint branches and twigs silver, gold, or white and nestle them among the greenery. This gives the arrangement both height and big interest.
Insert ornaments strategically throughout the greenery. Cluster smaller ornaments together for a pop of color. You can also use larger ornaments as statement pieces to draw the eye. If needed, tie ornaments to sticks and insert them into the soil for extra height.
Pine cones are perfect for adding to the mix. And if you happen to live where pine trees grow, they are free for the taking! Keep them natural for a rustic look or paint them white for a frosty effect.
Ribbons and bows are the finishing touches that can really bring life and color to your baskets and containers. Choose a wired ribbon that matches your color scheme so that it holds its shape when tied into bows or woven through the arrangement. For a classic look , use burlap, red velvet or metallic ribbons. Affiliate Link: JOHOUSE Christmas Bow, 24pcs Christmas Wreath Christmas Tree Decoration Gifts
Light It Up – How To Make Christmas Decorations From Hanging Baskets, Containers & Window Boxes!
Last but not least, light up your baskets and containers to make them stand out at night. Battery operated lights work great as they don’t require a plug and are easy to hide among the greenery. Wind the lights through the branches and ornaments to allow them to shimmer all night long.
If lights in the containers are not possible, consider using outdoor spotlights to light up the displays as well.
Here is to repurposing your containers, hanging baskets and pots into incredible Christmas decorations this year – and saving big in your decorating costs too! If you are looking for the perfect Christmas present for a special gardener in your life, be sure to check out 5 Unique Christmas Gifts Gardeners Will Love – All For Under $30!
Simple Garden Life
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.