Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Hang Wreaths On Your Windows

“Can we make it like the Home Alone house?” That was Clara’s quote about decorating the outside of our house for Christmas. She loves “Kevin and Bros” as she calls them (yes, Buzz = Bros to her), and has even picked up that they have a similar type of house to ours – albeit a ton bigger and fancier. So we did some family brainstorming (listened to Clara tell us what we should do) and came up with the following plan:

  • wreaths hung in every window with gold ribbon (no other colors were even close to being right according to Miss Clara)
  • some lighted garland around the front portico
  • plug-in candles in every windowsill like we had in our last house (Clara has always loved those, and we had exactly the right amount, so we just reused ’em)
  • our three little red lanterns full o’ twinkle lights from Ikea a few years ago
  • real seals with red Santa hats on the roof (this one was Clara’s most imaginative suggestion, but I’m afraid we had to nix it for animal rights reasons)

Here’s where we ended up.

House Lit

I think my favorite things are the wreaths in every window (they look just as fun from the inside looking out). Or the lighted garland around the portico railing.

Portico Lit

Or the red lanterns full of lights with our blue door nearby.

Exterior Portico

Or catching a glimpse of our still-to-be-decorated Christmas tree through the bay window on the side. Sidenote: I’ve wanted to repaint those white trim pieces that hang down like a sabre tooth tiger for months. Just making those dangly bits the same color as the siding and leaving the trim around the window white will look so much better I think.

Exterior Bay Window

The wreaths ended up being an awesome deal, thanks to stacking a few sales, so this, my friends, is how you get eleven 24″ outdoor wreaths that would have been $88, for $53 instead. First of all, they had been marked down to $5.99 (from $7.99) at Michael’s, which meant I couldn’t use any Michael’s coupons that I had (their coupons are usually for full-price merchandise only).

Michaels Coupon

But knowing they match competitor coupons, I quickly googled “JoAnn coupon” while standing in line on my iPhone and they were running a “20% off your entire purchase of holiday decor (including on-sale merchandise)” sale with a coupon that I could get right on my phone. So the sweet lady at the register honored the coupon, and that’s how we got eleven 24″ outdoor wreaths for $4.81 a pop instead of $8.

Coupon Joann1

She also said it was cool to use the coupon towards holiday ribbon, so for another $12 I grabbed three big spools of gold and returned home with everything we’d need to hang these suckers in every window. Or so I thought…

The upstairs windows were pretty simple, it just took a little finagling with the storm window and the screen to get them out of the way so we could crack the window open enough (from the top) to slide the wreath out with the ribbon wrapped around it to hold it up. One tip is to clutch that ribbon like it’s a hundred dolla bill, because it’s annoying to keep dropping wreaths out the window and having to run downstairs to get them.

Once I had said wreath out the window and was holding the end of the ribbon, John just closed the window right on the ribbon (we could pulling it up if we wanted to raise it or let more ribbon hang out the window if we wanted to lower it). Locking the window held it pretty securely, but just in case we also used a thumb tack stuck into the ribbon and the very top of our wooden windowsill for good measure, since we’d seen that mentioned here (it only makes a tiny pinhole at the top of the window where our blinds cover it anyway).

Thumbtack

The downstairs windows were a different story (both literally and figuratively). Somehow their extra long storm window panes on top (these windows are taller than the ones upstairs ) didn’t allow for us to stick the wreaths out the top of the window unless we completely removed all of the storm windows, which defeats the purpose of them since it’s cold out these days. So we opted to hang the wreaths from the outside of the house on a ladder for the lower level, instead of using the window to hold them in place.

Trapeze Thing3

We didn’t want the ribbon getting pinched or gathered around a plant hook screwed into the top of the window, because the ribbon for the upstairs wreaths looks nice and flat, so we devised these handy little “trapeze things” as we called them, to keep the downstairs ribbon flat like the upstairs stuff.

Trapeze Thing1

They were just wooden dowels with two very small holes drilled in each side and some wire strung through them to create a flat little plane for the ribbon to be wrapped around.

Trapeze Thing2

Then John could hang that trapeze hook over a plant hook that we had screwed into the side of the window, but the ribbon would still stay flat. To keep everything secure, he stapled the ribbon together to make a loop around the hanging trapeze thing while up on his ladder (that way I could stand back and make sure they were all the same height before he stapled).

Trapeze Thing4

See the two subtle staples in the picture above that are holding the ribbon? So far they’ve been up about 4 days without any breakage or ripping, so we think they should hopefully hold up for the season and we have high hopes of reusing them future years too. You know we’ll keep you posted if they all jump off the house or something though (and now I’ll go knock on some wood).

Next up was the garland around the portico. We just swagged it a few ways to see what we liked, and eventually used a few cable ties to keep it all in place once we pinned down our favorite look. We tried going up the peak in the portico, going around each of the pillars, and finally ended up liking it this way the best. Something about the light already coming from the top of the portico (our little porch light) made the garland lights going up that high look like too much upper-action, so keeping them low felt more balanced. And we thought it was nice for them to drape down the steps like this.

Exterior Railing2

Oh and I bought these three strands of lighted garland from Joss & Main for $18 each I think. Not a bad deal, and they all can be plugged into each other to make one long strand, which is nice and convenient.

Exterior Garland

Then we broke out the candle lights for each window from our old house (we used to have three of them in the side windows since you saw the side of the house a lot from the street) and were so glad to have the right number for this house. Well, not enough for the garage, but the idea of going in and out of the garage to turn them on and off each night sounded annoying, so we opted not to add any more to our count, and just stuck with 9 of them inside.

Finally, out came the old red lanterns from Ikea a few years back, which we filled with lights (one strand per lantern) and just connected them all to each other. Placing them on every other step ended up being our favorite spot for them (we tried them down on the walkway and on either side of the door, but this was the winning placement) and thankfully we had an outlet right on the porch for the garland and the strand of connected lantern string lights, so no blackouts were caused in the making of this holiday scene.

Exterior Rail3

We certainly have seen fancier holiday lighting displays (there are some gorgeous ones in our neighborhood) and we have some pretty elaborate dreams of adding to ours over the years (like decorating that Chirstmas-tree-esque holly on the right corner of the house, and getting a big lighted wreath for the front door), but for now, we’re pretty proud of our first attempt at a holiday display here in this house. One of our neighbors even stopped by to asked me all about the garland and where we got the red lanterns, so that was nice. I might have been a little too into the conversation, but what can I say, I loves me some holiday glow.

Exterior Portico

I worried it would be kind of ugly during the day without the magic of the lights, but I’m happy to report that it’s not too bad that way either. Sidenote numero dos: Oh how I wish I had pulled that weird doormat at the bottom of the stairs out of the way – I’ve been meaning to put it in the garage after we finally found a wider one for the front door, but somehow it ended up down there. 

Portico Light

Are you guys decorating the outside of your house? Who goes all out and follows the roof-line with lights? What about those awesome draped trees that look like weeping willows but they’re just a mass-o-lights. Love that so much.

Psst- To see how we decorated the outside of our house last year and the year before, click here and here.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

    • Maggie says

      I don’t have outdoor outlets either! I was able to get an extension cord through a window (and it still locks) in order to get some out door lights. I also search for solar lights. Someday I’ll hire an electrician to put in some outlets for me!

    • Gabriella says

      Thanks Kim! Wed do not have any outdoor outlets either. This will work perfectly. YHL, I absolutely love the exterior of your home. My dream house if I could have any house in the world-but cost prohibitive where we live, as just not that many original colonials in our city, lot’s of what we call old Portland Bungalows-more cottage and craftsman style. Your Christmas decorations are stunning. I am certain the pictures don’t do your beautiful home justice.

  6. Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

    So pretty! I like the simple colour palette you/Clara chose. My Nanny bought me two battery-operated automated silver sparkly candles this year. I love them because I don’t need to remember to turn them on! On & off every day like clockwork. I plan on putting one in each of the windows in our bedroom overlooking the front sidewalk. We have a little apartment, so every little bit of holiday cheer is special! I love having an extra bit of coziness in the winter :)

    Reply

  7. fd says

    1. I love the seals on the roof idea. Clara is the business!
    2. Your house decoration looks really luxe and classy. Well done!

    Reply

  8. KarenH. says

    I decorate the bushes in front of the house, and the porch rails, around the door and then down the front walk (sort of a nod to luminaria). I haven’t had the courage to get up on a ladder and do the full gutter line.

    I like how you’ve hung the wreaths :) It does feel like a nod to the Home Alone house.

    Reply

  9. stephanie @ Housewife Mama says

    Looks great guys! Always inspired by your bloggity blogging. I suppose its time to get out our Christmas deco too (which also means watching my 2 and 4 year old destroy half of it for the next month…bah humbug, i know). Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  11. HeatherB says

    Lovely! I’ve always like the wreaths lined up uniformly in windows look. And this year, I have it! Our new house has beautiful arched, equally spaced, equally sized windows and I had those wreaths up a week before Thanksgiving! Clara has such good taste ;)

    Good luck with the ultrasound. I remember the excitement on those days with both of mine. Can’t wait to hear the results.

    PS You have already confirmed there is only one bun, right?

    Reply

    • HeatherB says

      My bestie found out she was having twins at her 20 week ultrasound…SURPRISE! Up until then, one hid the other so they’d only detected one heartbeat at previous doctor visits.

      And a couple of months ago my secretary’s son and his fiancé found out they were expecting when she was 26 weeks along. Her water broke at 30 weeks, they did ultrasound to check on status of baby, and found it was twins. Nothing like finding out on delivery day you’re having two!!!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That happened to a close family friend! She didn’t have any ultrasounds and gave birth at home! Literally heard “wait there’s another one in there!” Such a huge surprise! We have had other ultrasounds so there’s just one in there :)

      xo
      s

    • HeatherB says

      Maybe instead of a Chihuahua it’s a dachshund…you can name him “Hot Dog”! *snicker* Sometimes I just crack myself up :)

  12. Lauren (in PA) says

    Regarding the candles in your garage…what we did in my house growing up was put the garage candles in timers so we didn’t have to do a thing with them. Eventually we put them all on timers.

    Good luck with the bun today!!

    Reply

    • Lauren (in PA) says

      And as a side note…I’m now singing Rockin Around The Christmas Tree…with visions of Michael Jordan cut-out riding the train as Kevin pulls the strings.

    • Sarah A says

      At my parents’ big old house in New England we also used timers in the attic windows — too cold to go up there twice a night — and now in my little Cape Cod in Virginia I use the battery operated timer candles. I turn them on once at the time I want, and they know to stay on for 8 hours and off for 16. I got them at ACE hardware a few years ago, I think $24 for a 4-pack. The fake flickering flame isn’t as bright as a plugged in one, but it’s great for a house with kids, cats, and anything else that will cause difficulty with a cord dangling from the “candle” in the window.

  13. Kate says

    When I went to Chicago a couple of years ago I made sure to go visit the Home Alone house. It’s my favorite movie ever! So you can imagine how much I appreciate this post and Clara’s mutual love for the movie! Best of luck today, can’t wait to hear the news!

    Reply

    • Torie K. says

      Living in the Chicago ‘burbs…driving by the Home Alone house during Christmas is one of our favorite family traditions. (Funny fact: All of us giggle at how underwhelming it is…it looks SO much bigger in the movies!!)

    • kristen says

      nerd alert – last summer we went to chicago, and on the last day of the trip we rented a car to explore all the john hughes movie houses, including the home alone house!

      i agree that it was underwhelming – it’s beautiful but looks so much more grand in the movie!

      we also saw the uncle buck house, cameron’s house and the water tower from ferris bueller’s day off, and the school from breakfast club.

  14. Lauren says

    It looks great! We also do wreaths in each window, and I love how it looks its simple but so pretty:). We just did ours yesterday!

    Reply

  15. Angie says

    It looks sooooo beautiful. I love your house!!!
    Did you guys paint the shutters? If so, what is the paint color? Thanks!

    Reply

  16. Lauren says

    We actually got married down the block from the actual Home Alone house, it’s just as neat in person. We are supposed to go to a holiday party at someone’s home down the street from there next weekend and I’m totally looking forward to stalking the house during the holidays!

    Reply

  17. Tiffany says

    You guys did such a beautiful job decorating! When my husband and I first started dating we took a road trip during Xmas time(about an hour and half drive) to see the actual house they filmed Home Alone in. It’s in Winnetka, IL. We were so disappointed because they only had 1 small wreath on the door and that was it! They had this great house and didn’t decorate it; you guys definitely outshined them!

    Reply

  18. Abby K. says

    I love the wreaths and ribbons, but am I the only one that misses your monrovian stars from last year? Geez, I had a huge crush on those! Hoping you guys have a great day and get wonderful news about your little bun! xoxo

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      I was going to ask about those! They’ll be perfect in the back with the new veranda! So fancy schmancy!! ;)

    • Carrie Lea says

      I love the wreaths but I was totally bummed about those stars. I may or may not be obsessed with them. So glad you are using them in a spot YOU get to enjoy them!

      Also I want to hug your house in it’s cute Christmasyness. I really wanted to find some battery operated wreaths for my windows. I’m afraid to hang them outside cause crap gets stolen in my town A LOT lately. But I want want WANT them. I should be content with my inside decorations, it looks like Christmas threw up in the house, but my house is just so cute, I want to bling up the outside too!

  19. Christie Norbraten says

    Oh, how I love the candles in the windows! I lived in Midlothian for 4 years and that was the only house my family ever decorated like that. I’m back home in Texas now, but when my husband and I buy a house I think I’m going to bring back some of that Colonial charm. Good luck at the doctor today! I can’t wait to find out what y’all are having! xoxo

    Reply

  20. Wendy says

    Its our first Christmas in our first house and I’m so excited to finally be able to do lights (we previously rented in 2 family homes where we couldn’t decorate outside). We have icicle lights on the roof line, lighted garland on our front railing, colored lights on the bushes, some light candy canes flanking the steps, and a big ‘ol wreath on our front door. We have a little tree I’d love to cover in lights but I’m already afraid of our electric bill.

    Reply

  21. Kelli says

    Love this! It’s classic which is my favorite when it comes to outdoor Christmas decor. I’m always impressed by Clara’s good taste! Have you thought placing some spotlights to shine up the front of the house and show off those pretty window wreaths at night? It looks fantastic!

    Reply

  23. Penny Smith says

    Oh come on!! Get those pretty star/snowflak lights from your front porch and put them a couple each side of your porch or in the window by your tree already! Those are too pretty to sit in a box!! :0)

    Reply

  24. Jaclyn says

    Hey guys, how do the candles stay on your sill when you have blinds in the window? Do you have to pull the blinds up a little?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Our sills are decently deep so they can sit on the sill and the blinds just go in front of them (they stick out a smidge on the bottom but it’s not too bad).

      xo
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes we’d love to get those going on in places we can see them from inside the house (we’re thinking stars on the back porch so we can see them from the couch).

      xo
      s

  28. Lisa says

    The best tech gadget for Christmas lights is an outdoor plug with remote control. You plug the base into your outdoor outlet, and then plug your lights into the base. You can turn your outdoor lights on and off from inside your warm house with the remote control. I use one inside for the Christmas tree, too. They are cheap, between 10 and 20 dollars. I have been using ours for over 7 years now, and they still work fine.

    Reply

  30. DawnSC says

    Looks fantastic! Decorating is on my list of things to do this weekend. We’re in the no-outlets-outside camp (ZERO. boo), so we’re limited. But, because we live in sunny SoCal, I splurged on some solar Christmas lights! They work great on our potted Christmas tree that we have outside. Overly curious toddler = no tree inside for a few more years. And, hey, if I don’t get to enjoy the holiday snow I grew up loving in the northeast, I might as well take advantage of the lovely “winter” weather and have Christmas morning outside, right?
    p.s. Sabre tooth tiger reference for the win! I can’t stop seeing it now, that’s awesome. :)
    p.p.s. Good luck with the bun!!

    Reply

  32. Lori Terceira says

    I’m going to guess it’s a boy! Our neighborhood has a competition each year. We have 4 categories, most traditional, most lights, best themed, and I’m having a Mommy moment because I can’t for the life of me, remember the 4th.

    Reply

  37. Christina L says

    Oh I love it! Seeing these decorations made me think of your 2nd house and made me wonder how the new owners may decorate it. Any chance you’ve been in touch with either of the new owners of your past home? Do you have any curiosity as to what they have changed or kept? I think a Christmas drive by for both would be neat to see! That being said, this house is my favorite of the bunch. 3rd time is a charm!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have the same thought! We want to drive by and see how they have it decked out! We have heard from them just through forwarding mail and stuff that they love the house. So glad our baby is with happy and adoring parents. Haha!

      xo
      s

  40. Sara L. says

    Love your decorations, looks great! I also love the bunny at the bottom of the stairs. I have a thing for stoic rabbits, and he is perfect.

    Reply

  41. Meredith says

    Wow, the decorations look fantastic! I love it all. I especially love that Clara asked for it to look like the Home Alone house, that cracks me up :) Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  43. Shannon says

    So pretty! One thing new we did this year was to put lights all around the deck outside. It looks so pretty with the curtains open and we can see them from our family room, unlike the lights in the front. It is like they are “our” lights. Merry merry!

    Reply

  45. Brooke says

    So I am slightly lazier when hanging my wreaths. I just tie a knot in the ribbon and once the window is closed the knot keeps it from sliding out. It took a few extra minutes to get them even the first year. But since I put them up every year it was worth it. I love how beautiful a few classic
    decorations can be. Clara has impeccable taste!

    Reply

  48. Liz O says

    Looks great! I love the classic wreath look. And in my opinion you can’t go wrong with lanterns. I love lanterns. I’m working on Christmasing mine up so they can continue to live on my shelves and look festive. I’m thinking of filling them with ornaments, although I might just steal your idea of adding lights. Okay, I have a project for tonight. and I’m rambling… :)

    Reply

  49. Natalie says

    I find it so bizarre that I am so excited to find out if your baby will be a boy or girl, but I am! Ha,ha. I’m almost three months along and although I have a few more weeks before I get to find out the gender, I hope to hear the heartbeat for the first time tomorrow. I had a tramatic pregnancy/birth (baby girl was born almost two months early). She is wonderful, completely healthy and happy at almost two years old, but I find this pregnancy far more worrisome then the first, but am trying to enjoy it. Can’t wait to hear your news!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw Natalie congrats on your little bun! Hope it’s a nice uneventful pregnancy! And I love that you’re excited to hear what’s in my belly. I think John and I are pretty psyched, only to be outdone by Clara! Haha!

      xo
      s

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