Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Christmas Decorations for Businesses
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Time to read 9 min

Outdoor decorating is an essential part of commercial holiday decor. External decorations attract foot traffic, keeping brands competitive during the holiday season.
Although effective, outdoor decorating can be challenging. You must consider safety given the elements, and purchase decorations that can withstand outdoor environments.
This article will serve as an outdoor Christmas decorations guide, providing outdoor decoration ideas for companies and ensuring successful results.
Table of Contents
Why Outdoor Christmas Decorations Matter for Businesses
Commercial outdoor Christmas decorations are arguably the most critical part of a business display. Here are some reasons they are so important.
First Impressions That Attract Customers
Your business is likely in an area that attracts foot traffic. It may be on a busy avenue or in a shopping center. Either way, most owners will choose a prominent location for their business.
But getting your business seen isn’t enough. You must add display elements that attract attention. Christmas is the perfect time to achieve this goal. You can create a standout display that gets your business noticed and helps forge relationships with customers who will continue to visit your store year-round.
Creating a Memorable Brand Experience
Most business owners aim to get their brand noticed and remembered. Large-scale Christmas displays can help achieve this objective.
Your display will draw people in. Unique elements will make them remember your brand, ensuring it will be the first they think of when they need your products and services. You can make your brand even more memorable by providing holiday interactive experiences like selfie stations and Santa visits.
Enhancing Festive Spirit for Employees & Visitors
Holiday displays do more than attract consumers. They put employees and visitors in the holiday spirit, which can pay off in more ways than one.
Studies reveal that bright, colorful displays release dopamine, a feel-good chemical the brain produces. When employees are happy, they provide better customer service, are more motivated and productive, and become more loyal to their companies.
Consumers will also feel happy, making them want to stay in your shop longer and increasing the odds of purchasing. Your store will also have positive associations that make customers want to return.

Planning Your Outdoor Christmas Decor Strategy
Outdoor decorations must be thought out carefully to attract customers, look professional, and help you reach your ROI goals during the holiday season. Here are some things to consider as you create your outdoor Christmas decorations guide.
Define Your Budget and ROI Goals
First, you must define your budget. Consider:
- The cost of decorations
- The expense of hiring a professional holiday decoration installation services (If applicable)
- Related costs such as wiring, tools, commuting, or shipping costs involved with acquiring decorations
Compare that to ROI (return on investment). Determining your ROI based on holiday decorations can be challenging, but you can judge returns based on linger time and foot traffic. Most companies make 20% to 40% of their yearly income during the holidays, so decorations are integral.
If you exceed your budget, consider ways to save. You may need to eliminate some decorating elements or replace expensive ornaments with cost-effective holiday decorations.
Consider Foot Traffic and Visibility Zones
You also want to place your decorations where they can be seen. Here are some general guidelines:
- Choose the Most Visible Locations: Walk by your business from different starting points. Note the areas that first come into view. Place your decorations in those spaces.
Get Attention Up High: Place decorations up high to be seen from freeways and faraway locations.
Keep Decorations Contained: Some businesses may want to build out to make their displays more noticeable. However, it is essential not to interfere with other properties or create tripping hazards.
Timeline for Setup and Takedown
Your timeline for setup and takedown is another crucial component. Here are some things to consider:
- What is the Best Date to Put Up and Take Down Your Decorations? Businesses should put up decorations on time to stay competitive with other companies. If all the other businesses are decorated except yours, you may lose customers. However, if you put up decorations too early, they may cause holiday fatigue. After Halloween and before Thanksgiving is typically ideal. Businesses should also avoid keeping decorations up too long. Take them down after New Year's and prepare for Valentine’s Day.
- What Time Will You Put Up and Take Down Decorations? Time of day is also crucial, as you want to avoid decorating when customers are in the store. Doing so could interfere with shopping and cause a safety hazard. It’s best to plan for a time when the store is closed.
- How Long Will Decorating Take? The duration of your decorating efforts is a factor, as you may need to pay your staff and professionals by the hour. Additionally, considering the need to close the store and the busyness of the season, you won’t want to spend a lot of time on it. Hiring a professional ensures the job gets completed quickly and lets you focus on making this holiday season the best ever.

Types of Outdoor Christmas Decorations for Businesses
Once you have a plan, it’s time to decide which weatherproof holiday decor to include in your design. Here are some business holiday lighting ideas.
Commercial Christmas Lights
You can’t do a commercial holiday display without lights. Lights attract customers, which can be seen in the growing darkness during the holiday season.
Outdoor LED Christmas lights are popular in holiday decor because they offer energy-efficient Christmas lighting. They last longer than incandescent lamps and use less energy, resulting in long-term money savings. Ensure your lights are outdoor-rated for optimal safety.
Giant Ornaments, Bows, and Garlands
Giant ornaments, bows, and garlands add cheer to outdoor holiday decor for businesses. Here are some ideas for integrating them into your design.
Bows: Bows can be tied around poles for high visibility. Large bows can be hung on walls. Smaller ones can be tied to tree branches.
Garlands: Garlands are ideal accent pieces. They bring a sense of nature to holiday decor. They can be hung on walls, tied on banisters, or integrated into other aspects of your holiday design.
Giant Ornaments: Giant ornaments are commonly included in shopping centers and mall displays. They make excellent photo opportunities, which can lead to free marketing bonuses. Someone may take a picture near a giant ornament, post it on Facebook, and tag your location, raising awareness among followers.
Outdoor Pre-Decorated Trees and Wreaths
Few displays are complete without a tree or a wreath. Pre-lit outdoor Christmas trees are ideal because they are pre-decorated. They will save you time and money on decorating efforts and look professional.
Wreaths are popular decorative elements that can easily be hung on walls and doors, so they don’t take up space in retail settings. With so many wreath designs, you can easily find one that matches your brand image.
Custom Branded Decor Elements
Branded holiday decor for businesses makes companies more memorable. It reminds people there’s a name behind the display, so they will be more likely to think of you when they need your products and services. Here are some ways to include branding in your decorative efforts:
Integrate brand colors into your display
Choose ornaments and display elements that feature your brand logo
Integrating products you sell into your display; for example, a clothing company may use ornaments that feature their jeans, t-shirts, and accessories
Safety & Durability Considerations for Outdoor Installations
An outdoor holiday display is excellent for business, but safety is paramount. Here are some retail Christmas decoration tips that ensure no one gets hurt.
Weather-Resistant Materials and Fixtures
Weather-resistant materials and fixtures are a must. They will withstand the elements and ensure safety in dangerous conditions. Typical characteristics of commercial-grade Christmas ornaments include the following:
Material Type: Common materials include metal, plastic, and weather-resistant fabrics.
Ratings: Some fixtures will have weather resistance ratings. For example, outdoor Christmas lights have IP ratings indicating how well they withstand weather and dust. Others have weather-resistant labels.
UV Protection: Decorations may feature coatings that protect them from UV-related fading and other elements like water and abrasion.
Electrical Safety and Energy Efficiency
Electrical safety is a huge concern for businesses during the holiday season. Injuries can be devastating. They can also cost companies millions of dollars and ruin their reputations. However, the right approach can keep your company, employees, and customers safe.
Use Outdoor Rated Lights: Outdoor-rated lights feature waterproof connections and sturdy installation to prevent shocks and fires. Most feature a red UL mark, which indicates the product is safe for indoor and outdoor use. Ensure extension cords are outdoor-rated as well.
Use GFCIs: Ground fault circuit interrupters detect when a load is too powerful and shut systems down before a hazard occurs.
Scrutinize Components: Inspect components to ensure they are not damaged. Frayed wires and broken bulbs and filaments may cause a fire.
Fasten Cords and Ornaments: Fasten these elements so they don’t get blown around by the wind, potentially causing damage.
Keep Wires Dry: Hang wires to prevent contact with snow or standing water.

Conclusion
This outdoor Christmas decorations guide reveals the benefits of exterior displays. They attract foot traffic, ensuring your holiday season’s success. However, using quality decorations and staying safe is essential.
Dekra Lite offers assistance. Our durable outdoor Christmas decor will withstand the elements and the test of time. We also provide professional decorating services, ensuring safety and saving your company time during the busy holiday season.
Contact us to learn more about our holiday products and services.
FAQs
What types of outdoor decorations are best for high-traffic areas?
The best outdoor decorations for high-traffic areas are the ones that catch people’s attention. Lights are ideal because they stand out when it’s dark and gloomy outside. Oversized ornaments can’t be missed. You should also consider hanging ornaments high up to increase visibility.
How early should businesses install holiday decor?
It’s best to install holiday decor sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. If you install lights too early, people will get holiday fatigue. Install them too late, and your business may get overlooked as the one undecorated storefront on the block. Consider putting them up after taking your Halloween decorations down for effective results.
Are outdoor commercial decorations reusable?
Yes, most outdoor commercial decorations are reusable. The only exception is ‘real’ decorations like Christmas trees, wreaths, and foliage. However, other decorations will last for years with proper care.
Where can I buy outdoor decorations for my business?
Various retailers sell outdoor decorations for businesses, including online and brick-and-mortar locations. Here are some things to look for when finding one that’s right for you.
Reviews: Look at customer and expert reviews to ensure the seller has a history of providing excellent service to their community.
Selection: Ensure the seller offers a selection that aligns with your taste and decorating needs.
Price: The seller should offer reasonable prices.
Ship Time: When buying online, ensure the seller ships promptly so you get your decorations on time.
Can outdoor Christmas decor be customised to match our branding?
Yes, you can purchase Christmas decor customized to match your branding. You may order ornaments that feature your logo or the products you sell from sellers that offer personalization services. Businesses can also invest in lights that feature their brand colors or match their branding, which can save some money and effort, but may not be as effective in marketing.
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