by Kate Johns

Created on: December 03, 2009   Last Updated: January 11, 2010

Cheap Christmas decorating ideas for outdoors does not mean you have to go all Griswold on your home, by stringing up so many lights and sparkling Santas that airplanes flying overhead, think your home is the new landing strip for the airport.

No, this year go cheap due to the economic recession.

Here are ten ideas for decorating outdoors on the cheap this Christmas:

1.String one line of colorful lights on one central location. Decorate the gutter of your home, or one tree out front, or that big old beautiful fir tree. You don't need to dress up every window, and the entire roof.

2. Create a focal point such as that one large pretty fir tree and decorate it like you would inside. Place lights on it, and some large ornaments. Make that one area shine, not the entire yard.

3. Buy your outdoor decorations on the super cheap at garage and estate sales. You can buy a multitude of great Christmas items at estate and garage sales for the lowest prices known to man! Buy wreaths, large ornaments, and colorful ribbon. When these items become super soggy from rain and snow you can throw them out, because they were so cheap!

4. Buy all those Christmas outdoor goodies after Christmas. You have to wait and watch the ads for the cheapest prices. But you can get the lowest Christmas prices for outdoor and indoor decorations.

5. Go in with your neighbor. Decorate a shared fence or tree. Put up an inflatable while he does the same at the property line. Then it will look like there are more decorations!

6. Use everyday items as decorations. Take an old sled, or a wagon, and decorate it with pretty Christmas inventions, or colorful lights.

7.To decorate the outdoors cheaply this Christmas use the same decorations you used last year. Nothing says you have to buy new decorations every year. Place large inexpensive red ribbons on items outside, like a lamppost, the front door, and the front window.

8. Make your own decorations. Hang handmade snowflakes in your windows. Take colorful Christmas wrap you bought super cheap last year, and adorn your front door with it.

9. Buy undecorated wreaths and place ornaments and ribbon in them, Use a wreath on the front door, and a window or two.

10. Place your old Christmas tree in a corner on your front porch, or back deck. It will be semi-protected from the snow and wind, and you can light up the outside.

It's possible to decorate the outdoors for Christmas super cheap. Every year does not have to be an overdone affair draining your bank account. Borrow decorations from relatives or friends, if you have to, but do decorate and share your Christmas spirit!

Learn more about this author, Kate Johns.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.