When the holiday season rolls around, lakefront decorations for your home offers a magical backdrop for festive decor. The shimmering water, serene surroundings, and natural beauty provide the perfect canvas to create stunning holiday displays. This year, focus your decorating efforts on the lake side of your property to make the most of the unique setting. Whether you’re hosting holiday gatherings or simply enjoying the view, here are creative ideas to elevate your lakefront home’s festive spirit.
Illuminate the Waterfront
Lighting is key to creating a festive atmosphere, especially along the lake. Here are some ideas to light up the waterfront:
- String Lights Along the Dock: Wrap string lights along the rails or posts of your dock to create a warm, inviting glow. Opt for waterproof LED lights to ensure safety and durability.
- Floating Lanterns: Place floating LED lanterns or candles on the water for a magical effect. Choose lights in holiday hues like red, green, or white to tie in the seasonal theme.
- Pathway Lighting: Line the path from your home to the lake with solar-powered luminaries or festive stakes featuring snowflakes, stars, or reindeer.
Decorate Your Dock
Your dock is a centerpiece of your lakefront property, so let it shine this holiday season:
- Christmas Tree on the Dock: Set up a weatherproof artificial Christmas tree at the end of the dock, adorned with shatterproof ornaments and outdoor-rated lights.
- Garlands and Wreaths: Wrap evergreen garlands around the dock rails and hang festive wreaths with lake-themed accents like starfish, seashells, or mini paddles.
- Themed Dock Displays: Create a lakeside holiday scene with Santa in a rowboat, reindeer on paddleboards, or a sleigh filled with wrapped presents.
Dress Up the Boathouse
If you have a boathouse, use it as a focal point for your lakefront decorations:
- Lit-Up Rooflines: Outline the roof of your boathouse with string lights to make it visible from across the lake.
- Seasonal Signs: Hang a cheerful holiday sign, such as “Lake Christmas,” “Happy Holidays by the Water,” or “Santa’s Lakefront Stop.”
- Nautical Holiday Accents: Add buoys painted like ornaments, life preservers with festive ribbons, or an anchor wrapped in twinkling lights.
Lake-Themed Decorations
Embrace the charm of your waterfront home with decor that nods to the lake lifestyle:
- Oar Accents: Paint old oars in holiday colors or patterns and lean them against the dock or boathouse.
- Buoy Garland: Create a garland using small, painted buoys strung together with rope.
- Snowmen with a Twist: Build snowmen from stacked fishing buoys, driftwood, or even rounded stones.
Reflect the Scenery
One of the unique aspects of lakefront decorating is using the reflective surface of the water to your advantage:
- Mirrored Ornaments: Hang mirrored ornaments on trees near the water’s edge. They’ll catch and reflect the sunlight during the day and the glow of lights at night.
- Floating Displays: Set up small holiday scenes on floating platforms anchored just off the shore. Ideas include a nativity scene, a mini Christmas village, or Santa’s sleigh.
Festive Fire Pits
If you have a fire pit by the lake, make it a cozy and festive gathering spot:
- Holiday Seating: Add seasonal cushions, throws, and pillows to your outdoor furniture.
- Decorated Firewood Holder: Stack firewood in a holder adorned with fairy lights or ribbons.
- S’mores Bar: Set up a holiday-themed s’mores station with peppermint marshmallows, chocolate snowflakes, and graham crackers.
Natural Elements
Incorporate the natural beauty of your lakefront surroundings into your decorations:
- Driftwood Centerpieces: Use pieces of driftwood adorned with greenery, berries, and candles for holiday tablescapes or mantel decor.
- Pinecone Garlands: Collect pinecones from the area and string them together to create rustic garlands.
- Nature-Inspired Ornaments: Craft ornaments from found items like acorns, twigs, and shells, accented with glitter or paint.
Holiday Kayaks and Canoes
Turn your watercraft into festive decorations:
- Lit-Up Canoes: String lights around your canoe or kayak and place it on display by the lake. Fill it with holiday greenery, wrapped presents, or oversized ornaments.
- Festive Paddles: Prop paddles near the shoreline, decorated with bows, lights, or painted holiday motifs.
- On-the-Water Parade: If your lake community organizes holiday boat parades, deck out your canoe or kayak with a fun theme, such as “Santa’s Sleigh” or “Elf Express.”
Celebrate Wildlife
Many lakefront homes are surrounded by wildlife, so incorporate them into your decor:
- Bird Feeders: Hang holiday-themed bird feeders shaped like ornaments or stars to attract feathered friends.
- Reindeer Decor: Place reindeer sculptures by the shore, made from wood, wire, or even recycled materials.
- Animal Tracks: Use stencils to create festive animal tracks in the snow or sand leading to your dock.
Host a Holiday Lakeside Event
Once your lakefront is beautifully decorated, share the magic by hosting a holiday event:
- Lakeside Caroling: Invite friends and family to sing carols by the water, with a bonfire and hot cocoa to keep everyone warm.
- Light Show: Organize a synchronized light show with music, using your dock, boathouse, and shoreline as the stage.
- Floating Luminary Night: Encourage neighbors to join in by placing floating luminaries on the lake for a breathtaking community display.
Photogenic Touches
For those who love capturing holiday memories:
- Photo Backdrops: Set up a holiday photo backdrop by the water with a decorated bench, props like Santa hats, and a view of the lake.
- Water Reflections: Plan decorations that look stunning in photographs by day and night, taking advantage of how the water reflects light and color.
Final Thoughts
Decorating the lake side of your lake home for the holidays is a delightful way to celebrate the season while embracing the unique charm of waterfront living. With a little creativity and a nod to your home’s natural beauty, you can create a festive wonderland that captures the magic of the holidays—both for your family and for everyone who passes by. Whether it’s a simple string of lights or an elaborate lakeside display, your efforts will make this holiday season truly special by the water.
Posted by Scott Freerksen “The Lake Guy”