It happens to the best of us. One year, you put up a wreath, maybe surround the front door with twinkly lights. But then, year by year, as more of your neighbors spend thousands of dollars to do up their house Griswold-style for the holidays, you find yourself feeling the pressure to up your game. Maybe you should add lights to the tree in your front yard? Or, gasp, an inflatable Santa? Or maybe you should just surrender to the go-for-broke trend and outsource the decorating to professionals?
Resist. There is priceless beauty in humble DIY holiday decorations. Let this story be a visual palate cleanser—and a reminder that it’s hard to beat the simple and natural. Here, 10 brilliant ideas for easy holiday curb appeal. No risking of life (or going into debt) necessary.
Go evergreen.
Above: Granted, Todd Carr and Carter Harrington, of Hort & Pott in Freehold, NY, are professional makers and designers, but we think anyone can add charm to the front door with a collection of evergreens—the more, the merrier. Photograph courtesy of Hort & Pott, from Shopper’s Diary: A Botanical ‘Speakeasy’ in Freehold, New York.
Above: Crabapple tree branches surround the festive front door of furniture designer Maria Le Mesurier’s home. “I particularly like them in the winter time as the branches are covered with lichen,” she says. Photography by Maria Le Mesurier, from The Foraged Holiday: Found Decor in Designer Maria le Mesurier’s Home.
Craft some spruce ornaments.
Above: Instead of the traditional wreath, consider hanging these cherry all-natural DIY ornaments on the front door instead. Photograph courtesy of Sayuki Ueno and Kentaro Manabe, from DIY Holiday Decor: Snowflakes of Spruce, from Japan.
March 09, 2026
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