Here’s How You’re Going to Nail Your Holiday Curb Appeal This Year

When you’re an apartment dweller, curb appeal isn’t really a “thing.” Maybe you’ll get a funny doormat (ideally something with a punchy tagline like, “Don’t knock, I’m watching Bravo!”), or maybe you’ll put a small planter outside your door (if building management allows it). But when you’ve got some property, it’s allll about the curb appeal. I never thought I’d give a hoot about the outside of my house until, well, I owned one. Suddenly landscaping, exterior lighting, and front-door wreaths were my obsession.

Not surprisingly, when it comes to the holidays, my favorite type of decorations are the ones on the outside of the home. Yes, Christmas lights are a part of that, but what I’m really referring to are pretty (read: not cheesy!) all-weather items that will make your home’s façade really pop. Because let’s face it, people love to drive around and look at Christmas lights this time of year, and our main goal is for everyone to stomp on the brakes and admire your lovely home… right? Right. To ensure you’ve got some rubberneckers checking out your lawn this year, you’re going to go need some super-luxe chotchkies sprinkled around the front of your house. Shop my favorites below! 

Want a pop of red on your doorstep this holiday season? Here's how you're going to get it. Thanks to cherry-red metallic paint, these reindeers are as shiny as can be and also as sturdy as can be thanks to crazy-strong cast aluminum. Whether you opt for one or two, these beauties are worth the price. 

Yes, these look like glass boots, but they're not! Comprised of translucent polyweather, they're going to have everyone saying, "Awww," in unison. Glowing a bright red, the boots are even more adorable in person, and they've got some heft, too (nope, they won't blow away!). Fill them with umbrellas, or seasonal greens, or leave them empty, but just know that this is officially your new favorite Christmas decoration.,

I mean, is it really Christmas if you don't have a humongous nutcracker flanking your front door? I think not. And this one is a steal at $132! The base has optional stakes if you want to place him in the grass, and his lights can be put on a six-hour timer. It's like something you'd find in a fancy hotel... but at a fraction of the price.

Here's the thing about small, luxe outdoor items — it's hard to see them from a few yards away, especially if they don't light up. Want a showstopper? Then get yourself a giant fuzzy illuminated Santa. This Santa is jolly and beautiful in-person... and I promise, it's not cheesy at all.

If you have a ourtdoor staircase or an entry point to your home that you'd love to accent with something fabulous, look no further. This pretty potted pine is pre-lit with 200 incandescent bulbs and towers at over 6.5-feet-tall. It's perfect for that dead space between your two (or three... or four!) garage doors, and this tree looks incredibly real despite being totally faux.

Part nostalgic and part whimsical, this beautiful mailbox is expertly constructed, incredibly sturdy, and chock full of old-world touches (like Santa's brass initials!). If you've got kids, expect them to drop their wishlists daily, and all your other guests will be 100 percent smitten.

Weren't sold on the nutcracker? Then clearly you're more of a toy soldier kind of gal! Whether you opt for the trumpeter or the drummer, you won't be sorry once you see how luxe these boys are. Weighing more than 50 pounds each, they stand five feet tall and are an extravagant way to greet your carolers this year.

You know what's going to tie all the beautiful outdoor decor together? A humongous wreath. And sure, you could buy a fresh one at your local garden store, but you'd be paying well over a hundred dollars, you still have to string it with lights, and, oh right, it's going to die! A better investment (that's way less labor!) is this gorgeous pre-lit wreath that is six whole feet wide and is also currently on sale. Done and done.

For years I've been driving past a nearby mega-mansion. It isn't much to look at during the summer months, but every year at Christmas time they break out these huge, illuminated presents that are simply gorgeous from afar —  so much so that I got myself a set. These babies are sophisticated but fun all at once.

Want something homespun and sweet? This illuminated sled is just that. Great to lean against a front port chair or place adjacent to your front door, this item is also battery-operated, which means no unsightly cords.

You're going to need to round out your front yard decor with a reindeer, and this one has an all-natural look that I love. Comprised of a brown PVC material wrapped over a metal frame, this doe's head also gently moves side to side. 

This sleigh is like something you'd find in a Hallmark movie! Its elegant design is draped in more than 120 lights, giving Santa's chariot a sparkling glow that will look gorgeous on your front lawn (and it will stay put thanks to ground stakes).

Yes, this is a bit loud in its appearance, but it's super fun and your kids are going to love it! Let me just say that if you're looking for a decor pop for your stoop or vestibule, this is it. At five feet tall, it's sure to get noticed by passersby, too, and you'll definitely appreciate its' sturdy metal stand.