Take your holiday display to the next level
If you have columns on the front of your house, you’ve got the perfect blank slate for Christmas decorations. It’s easy to let your imagination run wild, but taking a little time to plan your decorating strategy means you’ll have all the supplies you need—and that the finished product matches the vision in your head. Here’s what you need to know to spruce up columns for Christmas.
Maybe you’re having a little friendly competition with the neighbors to see who can put together the most impressive Christmas display, or perhaps you’re just looking to add a bit of Christmas cheer to your front porch. There are many reasons to decorate your home’s columns for Christmas, but the simplest explanation is that you just want to! This can be an easy, fun way to spruce up your curb appeal for the holiday season.
Decorating columns for Christmas can cost nothing if you have spare materials like ribbons on hand. Professional string light installation costs range from $220 to $650, but that’s for the entire exterior of the house. You may pay less if you are having a pro install lights on your columns only.
If you want to save time and money on Christmas lights and other decor, look for off-season deals, consider thrifting for reused items, and make sure to measure the space so you are buying the right amount of decor for your columns.
Are you adding stripes of colorful ribbon to your columns, or do you want a more rustic look with evergreen garland? There are options to suit any style, and they can be mixed and matched for an ultra-festive look.
Before you begin hanging string lights, make sure to securely set up a step stool or ladder so you can reach the top of the columns. You’ll start at the top and work your way down the column when wrapping the string lights.
Attach the string lights to the columns with hooks, ties, clips, or tape. The fastener you choose will depend on the type of column you are working with. Hooks with adhesive backs work well on smooth, flat surfaces, while ties or tape may be best for rounded columns.
If the plug for the string lights doesn’t reach an outdoor outlet, use an outdoor extension cord. Be sure to keep the path to your front door clear to avoid a tripping hazard.
Garland adds a natural, rustic touch to your Christmas decor, and it’s easier to hang up than fussing with string lights (although you can certainly wrap your columns in both for a magical Christmas display).
To hang garland, start by attaching it to the top of the columns with hooks, nails, clips, or ties. Then, wrap the garland tightly around the column until it reaches the base. Secure it to the base with another fastener. If your fasteners are visible, you can add ornaments, bows, or other decorative elements to disguise them.
Adding some weatherproof bows and ribbon to your columns can give them a festive pop of color with minimal effort.
Use tape, staples, or nails to adhere ribbon to the top of a column. Wrap the ribbon tightly around the column, then secure it to the bottom of the column and cut off any excess.
Attach bows to either the ribbon or column itself using ties or double-sided tape.
Wreaths add a festive touch and only require a few minutes of your time to put up. Just add a nail or hook to the top or center of a column and hang the wreath from it. You can keep it minimal with just one or two wreaths or deck out every column on your wrap-around porch.
Decorating columns for Christmas isn’t hard if you choose the right materials for the job. From finding outdoor lights and UV-resistant ribbons to deciding between hooks or nails for hanging decor, consider these tips before you start decorating.
Unless you want your bows and ribbons to fade from red to pale pink, make sure you are hanging decor that is suitable for outdoor use. With string lights, you must choose outdoor lights with a waterproof IP rating for your safety.
For other decorations, look for options that are weather-resistant, waterproof, and/or resistant to UV rays and fading. This will also help your decorations last season after season.
With hooks, nails, staples, ties, and even tape to choose from, consider what type of fastener will work best with your decor and column type. If you have square fiberglass columns, removable adhesive hooks are an easy (and damage-free) way to attach lights or garland. But for wood columns, nails or staples might be easier. Tape is a good option for round columns. Brick poses some unique challenges, but there are specialized clips and hooks available that are designed to work without the need to drill holes.
If you already have inflatable reindeer in the front yard and a projector that’s flashing an array of colorful snowflakes on your house, you may need to exercise some restraint before, say, adorning your columns in blinking string lights. Sure, you should opt for a style that you love, but try to pick one theme or color palette for the entire property to achieve a cohesive look that won’t keep you or your neighbors up all night long.
Hanging decorations on columns is an easy DIY project you can take on in an hour or so, depending on the number of columns you have and how tall they are. You’ll only pay for the cost of the decorations and basic supplies like fasteners and outdoor extension cords.
If you’re pressed for time or aren’t comfortable standing on a ladder to reach taller columns, you may want to hire a handyperson to help you. Hiring a handyperson costs about $60 to $125 per hour in addition to the cost of materials. You can also hire a pro to hang string lights on columns and elsewhere around your home, which costs between $220 and $650.
Start at the top of the column and secure one end of the garland to the column with a hook, nail, staple, or other fastener. Tightly wind the garland around the column until you reach the bottom. Secure the garland to the base of the column with another fastener before trimming away any excess.
You can use alternating weatherproof ribbons or string lights in red and white. Hang them at a slight angle and wrap them around the columns, working from top to bottom.
For a 7-foot-tall column, choose a light strand that is at least 32 feet long. You’ll also need to measure the distance from the column to the closest outlet to get outdoor extension cords that are the right length.
