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

  1. Angela says

    I was just thinking about hanging wreaths this year so this post is very timely. What did you do with your lighted hanging stars?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We want to hang those in the back (in the covered porch area maybe along with a tree) so we can see them from the couch. Feels kinda weird to decorate the back but we have such a nice view from the kitchen and living room of that freshly lofted room. Seems to be screaming out for some festiveness!

      xo
      s

  2. Diane says

    Yes – another vote for timers! We have 10 windows facing front, so four timers, and the challenge every year is being home when they all click on to catch any ‘stragglers.’ I tried the battery powered window lights but they just aren’t bright enough. I believe there are higher-tech timer systems available that control multiple units. Weirdly, I enjoy listening for the click and the light popping on in one room to make me run to the others until we get them coordinated. I also use a clear suction candle lamp holder in the windows where they can’t sit on the sill. Some years I leave the two kitchen candles in the windows long after Christmas … love them!

    Reply

    • Amy E. says

      the robbers in Home Alone always make me think that irregular timers are better. that way you can’t guess there’s no one home. we have an irregular timer for the coach lights on either side of our garage.

      running around to sync up your lights sounds fun, but i wouldn’t worry too much if they’re not perfectly N*sync (see what i did there?); might make it more like there’s an actual person walking from room to room each time they turn on and off. less likely to be a target that way. (i watched way too many episodes of “it takes a thief”, can you tell?)

    • Kirsten says

      All of our lights are on timers, so home or not, they click on and off … and I thought the middle upstairs bulb (in a room I never go into) had burned out late one night, only to discover the next afternoon that it comes on during the day!! LOL…. still need to fix that one of these days ….

      (We used to light up all the windows, but our room over the garage has some wiring problems (too many extension cords is not my idea of fun!), so I’ve left off the garage lights for balance.)

  3. rachael says

    This is beautiful! But an even bigger challenge would be if you made it look like the Griswold’s Christmas house. I bet more of your neighbors would be stopping by then. ;)

    Reply

  5. Brenda says

    Love it! However, you need the mannequin and a Michael Jordan cut out to make it complete. Oh, how about an iron jockey in front for delivery vehicles to knock down. Love your house!

    Reply

  9. Marissa C says

    Check Target for 50% LED candoliers after Christmas. Best things ever…they are battery operated and use a sensor to turn themselves on and off at night. You just stick em in the window and forget about them for a month. I switched over a few last year and I’m never going back!

    Reply

  10. Claire says

    It looks classic and lovely! Clara has terrific taste! I’ve always loved the wreaths on windows look and used to do that on the lower level windows of my parents home w/ candles in all the windows and then wrapped red ribbon around the white portico pillars for a candy cane look. Sadly, my current home has no outside outlet out front, only on the deck. Wahh! So I’ve never done much outfront for Christmas. On the lookout though this year for maybe some colorful non-lit decor.

    Reply

  13. Rachel Laree says

    House looks fab as usual, and congrats on finding out the gender today. Can I just go ahead and guess boy!? I’m always at least 50% percent right. ;-)

    Reply

  14. Erin says

    The wreaths are so classic! Just like the home alone house :). It was recently for sale so we snooped, only 4 million or something like that. Pocket change ha! Jealous that your house draws the same resemblence. Our tribute to home alone this year is our door mat, it says “Merry Christmas ya filthy animal”. Love it!

    Reply

  15. Melissa says

    I love the house! Too cute!! Did your three big lighted star decorations get nixed entirely or are you using them somewhere else? I really liked those too!

    Reply

  16. Erin@Managing the Manor says

    I’ve always loved the huge house on Home Alone! You guys did a great job with yours this year.

    Unfortunately. we are limited this year with outside decor because of our new “puppy”–who is already a 50 lb. beast. She’s not allowed on the porch, but if she happens to get up there she’ll tear up whatever she can reach. Our poor Fall front porch looked like a war zone after one weekend. She even ate a pumpkin…

    Reply

  17. Rachel says

    This is gorgeous! You’ve totally inspired me with the wreaths. We only have a ranch though, so fewer windows to decorate! :-) We hung our lights on Sunday but it needs a little “something” else, so I might just have to swing by Michaels this weekend to see what I can scrounge up.

    Reply

  18. Needle little Balance says

    What I like most about your decoration are the wreaths in your windows. So beautiful! I wanted to make one wreath for our living room window (inside) but the snow got in the way last saturday and kept me from cutting fir and pine branches in the wood – I love the smell of fresh pine branches. ;) Do you cut some branches from your own garden/woods, too?

    Reply

  19. Johanna says

    Love all of your decorations… ESP the garland and those red lanterns! All you need now is a Christmas doormat with the quote “Keep the change ya filthy animal!”…. Ive seen a few floating around cyberspace…. just a basic plain mat with that quote painted on, sounds like an easy DIY to me! :)

    Reply

  22. Keeley says

    Your decorations are beautiful! I’m wishing you a healthy baby and a great ultrasound experience today.

    This is our first Christmas in our new home. We have two Christmas trees, a wreath out front and some (non-lit) garland on the front porch. I love the look of a wreath in every window, but I’m not sure we can pull it off because our exterior is a bit transitional/contemporary. Plus, to keep it real, I’m not trying to climb up to that crazy high window in our two-story foyer!

    Reply

  23. Lauren says

    I love the Home Alone inspired decor, Clara is one cool chick! Thank you for this post, I have been wanting to hang wreaths in our windows and I have been going over all the different scenarios on how to hang them, this will help! Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  24. Lisa says

    I love it! One thing you may consider is getting timers for the candles in the windows. I did that many years ago and while it saves me from the trouble of turning the lights on, it is even better at making sure they all turn off.

    Reply

  25. Samantha says

    We have a red brick/white trim 50’s ranch, so I hang wreathes on all of our windows with a cup hook like you have, but I do the classic red ribbon and tie a bow at the top. I love your little trapeze idea, though. That would be so much easier than tying those bows and getting them even. hmmm….

    Reply

  27. Darcy says

    I love your idea of using the Moravian star and a tree on the veranda — you guys worked too hard on that area, it definitly deserves some holiday cheeriness!! Besides, since you don’t have your christmas tree in the living room, I think its a necessity to have some exra decorations in (and around!) that space!!

    Beautiful job on the outside — so glad you got to use those lanterns again– I am a big fan of them!!

    Reply

  28. Susan says

    LOVE it! Clara is a decorator in training, no doubt! Thanks for the details on how you hung the window wreaths – my husband and I have been talking about how to hang ours. Hope bean #2 cooperates for you today!

    Reply

  29. Brenda says

    Home Alone is one of my favorite Christmas movies! As soon as I saw the first picture I totally got why Clara made the connection. She’s a smart cookie. I’ve been toying with the idea of making some sort of simple wreath to hang on my apartment door. I have a friend who used to hang a red berry wreath on their apt door, and it always looked so nice. Given that I didn’t do any decorating for Christmas last year, I’ll be doing well if I get my tree up and decorated.

    Reply

  31. Amy E. says

    love it! it’s what i was picturing when you first mentioned you’d like to do up your house like the one in Home Alone.

    we’re one of those houses that outlines the roofline. we used all white c9 (large bulb) light strands for the first few years. it looked more like a marquee at a small town movie theater than christmas decorations. so this year we bought replacement c9 bulbs that were colored and swapped out every other one for a red or green one. i can’t wait to get them up and see them in action!

    our little one (2.5 years old) wanted to get the inflatable dinosaur with the scarf and santa hat. not sure that’s gonna fly since i’m more of a traditionalist with the decorations, but my husband might break under the cuteness and give in. wouldn’t be the first time!

    Reply

  33. Kim says

    It looks so great! Very classic!
    Praying you have a great appointment today. I’ve been looking forward to hearing the news all week!! Hopefully the bun will stay still long enough for you to figure it out!

    Reply

  35. Kristen Brown says

    Your house looks so beautiful and classy! It’s often too easy to go overboard on the Christmas lights. Loved reading about Clara’s seal suggestion! I’m so excited for you all and can’t wait to hear what you’re having!

    Reply

  36. Krissy says

    Beautiful! Since we have little white lights on the Christmas tree inside (Nathan’s choice) we have big, colorful lights outside for the porch (my choice). It was a compromise. I just kind of swag the lights from the framing of the porch roof. And our friend makes wreaths (by hand) every year for a bunch of us, so one goes on the front door.

    Reply

  37. Olivia says

    I was just thinking that it would soon be time to find out the sex of your baby (is that weird?)… so excited for you guys!! :)

    Reply

  38. John says

    Many times we will design a house with a Christmas tree lighting circuit, with an outlet under each window that can be turned on by a single switch. Looks great!

    Reply

  39. Isabel says

    Really like what you did, especially love the wreaths outside every window and the three lanterns too :) We went all out last year; we have lamp posts all the way up the driveway so decorated those with wreaths AND string lights (the lights never did make it down) and we put icicle lights all around the first floor roof line (those didn’t come down until September, I know, I know, the shame!), went crazy with garlands, etc. Every year hubs says we won’t go overboard, every year we go more overboard than the last one, but I’m really digging the nice and simple approach this year. I too have the window sill lights (break them out in October) but mine are light sensitive so they come on and off on their own. You may want to consider that for the garage. I got them at AC Moore (not sure if there’s one by you) but I’m sure Michael’s has them too. So excited to find out what you’re having! Fingers crossed that all goes well today.

    Reply

  41. Tessa says

    I love that garland, what a great deal! The wreaths & candle lights are just perfect for your house. I think I would do a red lantern on each side of the stairs and use the other one elsewhere. But maybe that would be a pain to plug in across two sides?

    And who am I kidding, I doubt we’ll even get out much of the exterior holiday decor we bought/made the first, excited year we owned our home!

    Reply

  42. Sandra T says

    Aw guys! There’s soooo much about this post that I love! I love the decorations and your ties to the “Home Alone” house (awesome smart Clara!), I love how exciting it is to find out the sex/gender (which one did “we” decide is correct?) of the new sweet little baby, I love the idea of seals on the roof (hello, if reindeer are ok, why not seals?ha ha), and lastly, I love the pic of John standing on the bush! I’m really happy for you guys, and thanks for sharing your happiness with us! :)

    Reply

  43. Erica says

    This is so great. I love Clara’s love for Home Alone and her awesome imagination (and your willingness to run with anything in reason).

    My mom has the most genius idea for hanging her wreaths safely and easily. She sews a little loop at the end of the ribbon that’s not attached to the wreath and puts a pencil through it. She then puts the wreath outside (from inside) by pulling down the top of the window and holding the pencil while she closes it up on the ribbon. BAM!

    Reply

  44. Amy says

    I LOVE, love, love your window wreaths, they are so definitively classic and Home Alone-esque! Since I moved into a brick house about four years ago, I have done the same thing – there’s just something about brick that beckons for window wreaths, but I grew tired of how dark the windows were at night, so I scoured the stores and scored four realistic looking battery operated wreaths with LED lights that have a built in timer which keeps them lit for 6-hours every night (5-11 pm for me) on one only D battery that lasts for the entire season, so you just “set it and forget it” and all the windows are lit up like magic. And of all the places to find them, they were at good old Sears! Just search for “Battery Operated Wreath With Led Lights” at sears.com. I just did, since I’m already thinking of getting more for the second floor, and they’re already marked down. Throw in a coupon, and they’re hard to pass up!

    Reply

  46. Karen E says

    Good luck with the bun photo today! Love the house deco!!! One question tho… You bought 11 wreaths for the windows and had the 9 window lights, but the pics only show 9 windows with wreaths and lights…. where did the other 2 wreaths go? The garage? Back of the house, but without the lights? Can’t figure it out.

    Reply

  49. Laura says

    Our outside lights are on a photosensitive timer. They go on when it’s dark and you can set how many hours for them to stay on. It wasn’t very expensive at Home Depot. We replace our outside garage lights with lighter wreaths. (Cheap from michaels with a strand of light woven in). Those are already on a photosensitive plug in.

    I got DH to wash the upstairs windows since he was on the roof anyway.

    Reply

  50. Jenn says

    Your house looks great!

    We have a river rock bed feature in our front yard. I picked up several strands of white twinkling lights and ran them down the length of the river. At night it looks like a moving stream in our front yard. Now I just need to pick up one of those white Christmas lights deer and make it look like it’s drinking from our stream. :)

    Reply

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