A beautifully decorated exterior can set the mood for the entire holiday season. Many people focus on decorating their Christmas trees or mantels during the festive season, but outdoor Christmas decorating ideas can be just as impactful. From entrances draped in twinkle lights to front doors adorned with lush wreaths, a festive exterior sets the perfect tone and welcomes guests in style.
There are plenty of timeless ways to dress up your front porch, but this year, I’m seeking something that goes beyond the ordinary. Though Martha Stewart is often associated with heritage-inspired, traditional décor, her festive ideas are refreshingly creative – and surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
Providing the perfect solution for a lacklustre entrance, Martha Stewart's grand ornament planters elevate any home instantly. Speaking about her urns, she suggests, 'One, or a pair flanking a door, would be very, very nice, embellished with some Christmas ornamentation. Let me show you how to make it very beautiful for the holiday season.'
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Martha Stewart’s DIY planters are effortlessly sophisticated, yet surprisingly simple to recreate. Begin with a classic footed urn (similar to the styles below), then layer in foliage, a festive wreath, and sparkling baubles for a showstopping holiday display.
Drawing inspiration from antique designs, this ornate urn is a timeless piece that exudes elegance and grandeur. Pair its rustic charm with festive ornaments for a truly heritage-inspired holiday display.
Featuring a rustic glaze and intricate carvings, this pedestal planter is an irresistibly charming addition to any front door. Enhance its cottage-inspired appeal by pairing it with hand-painted ceramic baubles for a warm, festive touch.
For a sleek, contemporary look, choose this understated planter. Its footed base and clean lines make it an effortlessly stylish staple – perfect for those who appreciate a blend of classic charm and modern simplicity.
For a pop of festive color, top your planter with this faux wreath. Interwoven with gold and red baubles, it’s a playful yet elegant accent that instantly transforms your entryway.
Fill the center of your urn with colorful glass baubles, just like Martha, using these vibrant multicoloured ornaments. Playful and nostalgic, they add a timelessly cheerful touch to your holiday display.
For a traditional yet stylish look, choose this lighted Christmas wreath, woven with vibrant baubles and lush foliage – perfectly balancing festive charm with classic elegance.
Martha's winter planter is impactful yet simple to design. She starts with a layer of bubble wrap, filling it in the bottom of the urn.
She explains, 'I'm stuffing the urn with recycled bubble wrap just to give some support underneath.' Martha then goes in with a sheet of plastic and tucks it into the urn, inserting it under the lip of the pot. This will act as a bed for the sand. This will prevent the sand from going down to the bottom of the urn, explains Martha. 'The sand is the base for our Evergreens. I have an assortment that I've cut from my Evergreen trees.'
Next up is your sand (the Mosser Lee Desert Sand from Amazon is a great choice). She says, 'Now put a little bit of sand on top of this plastic. This will help to keep the urn steady when it's outside, it won't be easily knocked over.'
Once your sand is evenly spread along the top of the plastic, then go in with some branches. Martha chooses spruce, evenly scattering them around the urn's circumference. She also suggests noble fir, or even white pine, to create a similar lush effect.
Opting for some cedar 'for variety', Martha places the new foliage on top of her layers of spruce, giving the foliage even more depth, followed by some Eucalyptus that 'looks pretty flopping down the sides of the urn'.
To finish off the look, Martha adds a vibrant bauble wreath and places it right on top of the greenery. Any Christmas wreath will work for this look, but for a truly bold look, opt for a colorful design like Martha's. She then fills the gaps in the middle of the wreath with some matching baubles. She explains, 'If you want to make it more permanent, you can, of course, hot glue these ornaments together, but there's no need to; you can use these on your Christmas tree next year if you like. You can use as many or as few as long as you cover up that center area with ornaments.'
Martha says, 'This is a really beautiful way to cheer up your outdoor planters for the holiday. Gorgeous, just gorgeous, if I do say so myself.'
With the addition of ornaments, foliage, and festive lights, even the simplest planter can be transformed into a showstopping display. It’s an effortless way to bring warmth, charm, and seasonal magic to your home’s entrance, making every guest feel welcomed throughout the holiday season.
