Christmas decorations for windows and doors: ideas that light things up

When darkness falls early in the afternoon, it's the windows and front door that set the tone for the whole house. A bit of light, a wreath and a couple of hangings make the way home a little warmer, and the same goes for those looking in from outside.

Here you'll find concrete ideas for how to decorate windows and doors for Christmas, without it becoming cluttered or unsafe.

How to light things up for Christmas

Christmas decorations for windows and doors is about combining light, shape and a common thread that ties it all together. An advent star or fairy lights in the window give a soft glow from outside, while a Christmas door wreath or a couple of lanterns by the entrance offer a warm welcome. Hanging decorations at different heights add depth, and with safe light sources, it can all stay up throughout December.

You don't need big changes. Often it's enough to choose a few things that go together in colour and style, and let them stay there for the rest of the season.

Decorations for the window: advent stars, fairy lights and hangings on thread

The advent star is a classic in Danish windows. The tradition of hanging a star in the window during Advent originates from Germany, where the first one was hung up in the 1880s. The star's soft light has become a familiar sight when walking past houses in December.

Besides the star, a string of fairy lights along the window frame or wound loosely around a branch can give the same effect without taking up much space. Hanging decorations on thin thread, like stars or baubles in clear and iridescent plastic, catch the light and create movement as the wind passes by the window pane.

• An advent star in the middle of the window as a fixed anchor point
• A string of fairy lights along the frame for a calm, even light
• A couple of thread hangings dangling at different lengths

Take a look at our range of Christmas hangings, if you need something to hang up.

Decorations for the door: a wreath, hangings and lanterns by the entrance

A Christmas door wreath is often the first thing guests notice. It doesn't need to be big to make an impression; what matters most is that it suits the colour of the door and the style of the house. A wreath can stand alone, or it can be complemented with a small hanging or a bow in the same colour as the rest of the Christmas decorations.

Beside the door, a lantern or a couple of candles in a bowl do wonders for the atmosphere when you're unlocking the door in the dark. Also think about the hallway inside, so the decorations continue, and everything ties together from the street and into the house. Take a look at Christmas decorations to find things that match.

Hanging decorations: ornaments, stars and figures at different heights

Hanging Christmas decorations don't need to sit on the tree to make a difference. Glass ornaments can hang in the window, over the dining table or on a branch in the hallway, and they look great at different heights, so the eye wanders around the room.

If you fancy decorations with a bit of personality, a Boxed wine ornament in glass from Cody Foster or a Botox ornament in glass from Kersten can bring a smile along the way, while a Six-pack ornament in glass from Kersten suits those who want a touch of humour in their Christmas decorations. For those who collect figures with character, a Frida Kahlo ornament in glass from Cody Foster or a Pink B-Barbie ornament in glass from Cody Foster are great examples of hangings that stand out from the traditional baubles.

Feel free to mix a few classic stars with a single figure ornament, so the decorations feel both homely and personal. Find more options under Christmas baubles and Christmas decorations.

Lights: LED is the safe choice in the window

Real candles give off a warmth that LED can rarely match, but in the window, safety matters more than atmosphere. Real candles must not be placed near curtains or other flammable things, and a window with curtains nearby is exactly the kind of place where the risk is greatest.

LED lights are therefore a safer choice for the window, and they can stay lit hour after hour without needing to be watched. If you'd still like real candles somewhere in your home, an advent candlestick on the dining table or coffee table is a good alternative, where they can be kept under supervision.

See the safe solutions under LED lights and Advent candlesticks.

Tips for harmony: repeat a colour, and think about the view from outside

The easiest way to achieve a calm look is to repeat a colour or a material throughout the decorations. If the wreath on the door is in natural materials, a couple of hangings in the same earthy tone can tie the window together with the entrance.

Do step out onto the pavement one evening and look at the house from outside. This is how most people experience the Christmas decorations, and it gives a good sense of whether the lights and decorations are balanced, or whether there's too much or too little somewhere.

Summary

Christmas decorations for windows and doors come down to a few well-thought-out touches: a Christmas door wreath at the entrance, an advent star or string of lights in the window, and hangings at different heights that tie it all together. Choose LED for the window for safety reasons, repeat a colour throughout the decorations, and check the overall impression from outside, so the house lights up properly all through December.

Read also

• Christmas decorations for the home: Create the perfect Christmas atmosphere
• Christmas decorations with personality: how to build a unique collection
• How to create cosiness with candlelight
• When do you put lights in the window?