Wooden outdoor Christmas decorations are flat, painted cutouts that stand in the yard on their own stand. Compared with inflatables they don't need power, don't sag when the blower stops, and look the same in daylight as at night under a spotlight. The pieces we sell are handcrafted in the USA by G. DeBrekht Artistic Studios from UV-coated plywood.
This guide covers how to choose a theme, how big a piece you need, where to put it, and how to keep it in good shape from one December to the next.
Why choose wooden yard decor?
There are three main types of outdoor Christmas decoration, and each has trade-offs.
| Wooden cutouts | Inflatables | Wire-frame lights | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looks in daylight | Fully painted, reads as a picture | Often deflated or wrinkled during the day | Bare wire frame |
| Looks at night | Needs a spotlight | Lit from inside | Lit, but only the outline shows |
| Power | None needed | Needs a fan running | Needs power |
| Wind | Needs staking or weight | Can tip or blow away if not tied down | Light, needs staking |
| Storage | Flat, stacks against a wall | Folds small | Bulky frames |
| Style | Traditional, hand-painted art | Playful, cartoon style | Modern, minimal |
Wooden pieces suit people who want their yard to look decorated during the day too, and who prefer painted artwork to cartoon shapes. The trade-off is that you'll want a small spotlight if you want them visible after dark.
Pick a theme
Most people start with one piece and add to it over a few seasons. Choosing a theme first keeps the yard looking planned rather than random.
Nativity scenes
A nativity is the most common reason people look for wooden yard decor, because it's hard to find in other materials. Our nativity pieces are designed by G. DeBrekht and by artist Dona Gelsinger:
- Nativity by G. DeBrekht, about 39 x 32 inches, $308. Our largest single piece and a good centerpiece.
- Three Kings Nativity, about 32 x 25 inches, $223.80.
- The Magic of Three Kings Nativity, about 28 x 32 inches, $223.80.
- Glory to God Nativity, about 30 x 29 inches, $223.80.
- Woodland Angel Nativity, about 32 x 26 inches, $233.80.
- Freedom Angel, about 32 x 26 inches, $233.80.
A simple way to build a scene is to put the Nativity in the middle and add the Three Kings on one side and an angel on the other.
Santa and snowmen
For a lighter, family-friendly yard:
- Knocking the Door Santa, about 32 x 20 inches, $223.80. Narrow enough to stand next to a front door.
- Snowman Family, about 32 x 30 inches, $212.50.
- Sno Buddy Like You, a design by artist Jody Bergsma, about 32 x 38 inches, $298.80.
Wildlife that works past December
Wildlife pieces don't look out of place in January, so they can stay up through the winter:
- Woodsy Moose, about 31 x 31 inches, $241.50.
- Prancing Deer, about 32 x 30 inches, $241.50.
The 36 inch freestanding wreath
The Christmas Wreath is about 36 x 32 inches and $287.50. It's freestanding: it sits on its own stand rather than hanging on a door. That makes it useful on a porch, beside steps, or in a garden bed where there's nothing to hang a wreath from.
Size and placement
Going by the product titles, most of our pieces are between 28 and 39 inches tall. That's roughly knee to waist height on an adult, which is a good size for a front yard seen from the sidewalk or street.
A few placement rules that help:
- Think about where people see it from. A piece seen from a car across the street needs to be larger or grouped. A piece next to the front path can be smaller.
- Group pieces with a little overlap. Set the tallest piece at the back or center and stagger the others in front so they read as one scene.
- Give it a plain background. A hedge, a wall or a lawn works better than a busy flower bed. Painted cutouts get lost against clutter.
- Light it from the front. A single outdoor spotlight in the ground, angled up from a few feet away, lights the painted face without glare. Put the light below eye level so it doesn't shine at people walking by.
- Leave room to walk. Keep pieces back from paths and driveways so they don't get knocked by feet, shovels or snowblowers.
Weather and care
Every piece we sell is made from plywood with a UV protective coating, and the descriptions say they're suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The UV coating helps the paint hold its color in sunlight. Plywood is still wood, though, so the goal is to keep water from sitting on it for long periods.
- Raise it off wet ground. Don't let the bottom edge sit in standing water, snow melt or a puddle. A paver or a couple of bricks under the base helps on soggy lawns.
- Brush off snow. Snow piled against the face or on top edges melts and refreezes. A soft brush after each snowfall keeps it from soaking in.
- Check the edges each season. If you see a chip in the coating on an edge, touch it up with a clear exterior sealer before putting it back out.
- Bring it in for long storms if you can. It only takes a minute for a single piece.
We don't describe these as waterproof, and you shouldn't expect bare wood edges to survive years of standing in wet snow. With a little care they should come out looking good each year.
How to keep yard decor from blowing over
Flat wooden pieces act like a sail in wind. The stand keeps a piece upright on a calm day; staking keeps it upright on a windy one. Here is what works:
- Use the stand it comes with. Each of our listings says a stand is included. Set it on firm, level ground.
- Stake the base. Drive two garden stakes or lengths of rebar into the ground behind the piece and tie or zip-tie the stand to them. Wooden or green-painted stakes disappear at night.
- Turn the edge into the wind. If your yard has a usual wind direction, angle the piece so the wind hits the edge rather than the flat face.
- Add weight on hard surfaces. On a porch or patio where you can't stake, set a sandbag or a heavy planter against the back of the stand.
- Shelter it. Placing pieces against a hedge, fence or the house cuts down how much wind reaches them.
If a big storm is forecast, it's easier to lay pieces flat or bring them in for a night than to repair them.
Can wooden yard decor be used indoors?
Yes. The descriptions say the pieces are UV-coated for indoor and outdoor use. The smaller pieces work well in an entryway, beside a fireplace or at the end of a hallway. Use the stand on a hard floor, and put felt pads under it if you're worried about scratches.
Storing wooden yard decorations after the holidays
Storage is where wooden pieces outlast inflatables, as long as they go away dry.
- Let each piece dry completely indoors for a day before storing it.
- Wipe off dirt and leaves with a damp cloth, then let it dry again.
- Store pieces flat or standing on edge, face to face with a sheet or cardboard between them so the paint doesn't rub.
- Keep them somewhere dry, such as a garage wall, a basement or a closet. Avoid unheated sheds that get damp.
- Keep the stands with their pieces, labeled, so setup next year is quick.
Before you order
We ship to the contiguous 48 US states. Each product page shows its own delivery estimate, and standard shipping is free on orders of $70 or more. Every yard piece we sell is above that, so shipping is free on any of them. If you're buying for someone else, our luxury Christmas gifts for the home guide has more ideas.