I'm going to outline this editorial in list form- because, really, all you need is the information! (And fast, its already December 9th!). Basic guidelines for classic Christmas decorating for the exterior of your house:
-Use classic white lights. If you feel white is a little tired for your taste, use a single color (red, green) to maintain tradition while standing out.
-Use an appropriate amount of lights. Too much or too little, in essence, does the same thing- it looks bad. A guideline is to follow the architecture and roof line, framing windows and doorways and highlighting architectural features. As for the landscape, don't forget to light shrubs (and trees, if you wish).
-Do not use "lawn ornaments" or "roof ornaments". If you really want to, use them sparingly and set uplights on them. If you have lawn or roof ornaments, rotate them. Do not use them all at once. Sometimes these decorations are fun for kids. All that's needed is a little restraint.
-On the front door, hang a natural wreath of noble fir, douglas fir, evergreen, bay leaf, or boxwood. If you want to dress it up, wrap the top of the wreath with a red, gold or white wire ribbon bow (the contrast of white or gold against green looks nice from afar). Refrain from other distracting decorations on the exterior wreath.
-Natural garland of either noble fir, douglas fir, evergreen, bay leaf, or boxwood framing your front door not only smells wonderful, but looks very finished alongside your wreath.
-If you have the space at your formal entry, a pair of conical boxwood or coniferous topiary in cast concrete urns or metal pots (copper, oil rubbed bronze- depending on the style of your home) flanking the door will set off your entry. The symmetry will also lend a more formal look to your home.
-If you can, plant some red or white poinsettia in your landscape. Just take a mature, live plant and plant it, rather than keep it in a container. Lining a walking path or in flower beds are generally pretty safe yet visible places. If you would rather not plant them, or if space does not permit, re-container them and arrange them as you see fit. In pots, ideal places are around water features, up stairs, along a walk way, etc.
-Don't forget how lovely it is to see from outside, the Christmas tree on the inside! Position a tree in a front-facing window for that quintessential view from the outside.
-If you have a gated entry to your house or estate, the wreath guideline holds true here, too. I suggest a pair of wreaths, one for each gate door or each gate post. Keep in mind that you will need a larger size to keep proper proportions.
-For the posts between your fencing, mount swags. For a more festive gate display, commission custom garlands and swags for the front perimeter of your estate's gate.
-Earliest to start decorating: the day after Thanksgiving. This goes for the interior Christmas decorations, as well.
-Latest to take down: January 3rd (and that's only because I trust you throw a smashing New Years party and need the 2nd to recover!). Its best to schedule your take down before the season gets into full swing. That way, it can't escape your mind to the point that the lights and decorations don't come down until spring.
-Things to generally avoid (there are always special situations and exceptions to the rule; however, think critically to determine if your house or estate falls into one of the two): window decals, blinking lights, fake snow, music on a loop, anything that may obstruct a view or disrupt your neighbors to the side or across the street, metallic "garland", the icicle lights that everyone now has, artificial wreaths and garland.
