How to Style Outdoor Christmas Reindeer for a Welcoming Front Garden
Outdoor Christmas Reindeer – Sponsored content by HOYECHI.
A Christmas garden to be proud of doesn’t have to be cluttered with decorations. A few illuminated reindeer will do the trick, as long as they stand out and aren’t surrounded by too many other displays. But finding the right size set is not easy, as the reindeer will need to look good from the pavement while the entrance of the garden remains unobstructed. Give this some consideration before you buy.
If your family is making outdoor Christmas reindeer in the garden the shape of the garden and how they get into the house could be a helpful beginning. Whether its broad lawn, limited frontage and well sheltered porch may all need different arrangements. Here are some handy tips to turn that festive display into a balanced group.
Begin outside your gate
Take a walk to the point at which visitors will first see your home. Be aware of what is in plain sight and what is hidden behind hedges, parked cars or the front boundary wall. Something that appears quite firm within arm’s length beside your door may hardly be perceptible from the street. Alternatively, a tall figure placed next to a small front door makes for an overcrowded approach.
Choose the size of space you will use – not the entire garden. Leave enough space for the door to open, the bins to be moved and people to walk between things. Experiment with an arrangement using empty boxes before you start to unpack everything – this will give you a feel for the size of things and sightlines without having to move the assembled decorations.
Choose a silhouette that suits the space
Reindeer flat and three-dimensional have their own effect. A flatter outline is ideal for a frontage seen only from the front. Flatwork you can see from two sides or three-dimensional work you can see from any angle. Also look at the actual depth-not just height. Photos alone do not tell how far a piece of scenery extends into a path or planting.
One family group will offer interest in different sizes and postures. The largest deer should provide the centre of attention, others smaller may be placed close and slightly offset, rather than in a line. Allow plenty of space for each figure so that they retain their integrity. For small gardens, a few well-spaced figures may be more effective than a larger set in a tight group.
Use a real product example to check proportions
HOYECHI’s HYC008 set is a three piece gold, three dimensional, lighted, reindeer family with a buck, doe and fawn. Its listed heights are 54, 47 and 29 inches and the set has 210 warm white LEDs. Those measurements provide a more meaningful planning guide than using a large sizing label on a decoration. Draw comparisons to something you know well, such as a low fence, the bottom of a window or a home’s doorstep.
The gold mesh pattern and red bows are also noticeable during the day. Be sure to look at lit and unlit photos of each set if you are selecting a whole set. Your garden can still be enjoyed during the day and a colour or material that looks amazing at night may be better off with a more neutral appearance during the daytime. Review product specs and contents before ordering as each set in a collection may vary in size, number of lights and assembly instructions.
HOYECHI HYC008_gold lighted reindeer family. Close-up of reindeer family image provided by HOYECHI.
Let one lighting colour lead the display
A tightly controlled colour scheme can link multiple decs. Reindeer lighting can be echoed on the shrub or shrubbery close by, especially if they have warm white illumination. You don’t have to copy each element precisely, but try to avoid having a colour that conflicts with the theme just to fill in an empty patch.
Work from the centre. A softly illuminated porch can add some extra context without distracting from your display. If you already own coloured lights, consider placing them somewhere other than a window or your porch – and don’t cover every surface! Capture the scene from the street after sunset and see whether the reindeer are still that visible. The image can help highlight extraneous decorations that you may not notice when standing in your display.
Plan power and placement before assembly
Verify the product is designed for your particular outdoor setting and local electrical grid. An international listing doesn’t imply every variation is compatible worldwide. Verify the model’s voltage, plug, power-supply, and installation data on the listing before making the purchase, and if unsure, ask the seller instead of assuming a tiny adapter will make it work.
Follow the manufacturer’s advice regarding connections, secure anchoring and weather exposure. Ensure there is unimpeded pathways and wires are not placed where they can be tripped over. Select equipment appropriate to the environment where it will be used. Do not take the phrase outdoor decoration as permission to have items underwater or to avoid the instructions for plugs and controllers. If you are unsure about access to power then get advice from a professional electrician.
Create a scene without blocking everyday life
Set the group where it can be appreciated without blocking access for deliveries, parking or the rest of the garden. Remove open water space around plants still being established and avoid placing ornaments where they will fill with water. An attractive layout should fit into everyday life and not necessitate a maze when negotiating the space.
Test them out in a loose triangular shape, with the biggest figure a little behind the others. This is merely a suggestion; the optimal order will depend on your angle of view and available surface. Leave sufficient space so that each outline is distinct and readable. Observe your setup once complete at night, then fine-tune the shapes incrementally according to the instructions.
Think about the end of the season, too
Don’t ignore storage when buying. See if the figures come apart and if their packed size fits your cupboard, shed or garage. Save the instructions and mark out any small parts for assembly so next year’s set-up doesn’t start with hunting for a missing piece. Save packaging that you might want to reuse.
Disassemble and store at the conclusion of each season following the directions. Dry parts before storing where manufacturer suggests and do not jam fragile frames into unsuitable containers. Check parts before storing and check again before new installation. A little moderation in layout, compatibility and handling enhances seasonal decorating, from that first evening of lit-up magic to the time the last ornament is packed away.
