We love this time of year! The nip in the air, barren trees, and yes, even that wretched, drifty snow. It's more than just the holidays; everything in Sioux City and Yankton tends to slow down as we all hibernate and spend more time inside with our families. It's nature's way of saying, "I'm taking a break. You should, too."

The other reason winter is a favorite season is the holiday decorations that show up on the homefronts like magic. The Christmas lights on the gables, the wreaths on the doors, the pointsettias on the porches. Everything pops on our barren canvas, and it's just fun to watch.

If you need some inspiration for holiday decorations this year, we've pulled some of our favorites from Houzz.com (have you been there lately? Do you have a few hours?). 

Dream of a White Christmas

Snow, especially the freshly fallen stuff, is the perfect holiday decor. In fact, the more snow that falls, the less you have to decorate. Warm white lights are always in season, and when they glow from within the house, the whole backdrop benefits. As with this house, when you maintain beautiful curb appeal throughout the year, anything that nature gives you is just...icing.

One Wreath to Rule Them All

When you have a huge gable above your three-car garage, what else can you put there but a big, beautiful wreath? We love this idea for several reasons:

1. It's one huge piece of decor, but it's really the only thing you have to do.
2. It draws attention our beautiful garage doors.
3. It's simple premise means minimal damage to siding while providing maximum holiday curb apeal.

Naturally Inspired Holiday Decor

Evergreens provide a warm haven for birds in the winter, a natural wind break for your yard and home, and color amidst a rather stark winter palette. When they are added around your house, they also provide a natural way to decorate for the holidays, whether you dress them up with ornaments and lights or leave them plain, as these homeowners have done. Keep with the "authentic" curb appeal by using warm white lights, raffia, and pinecone ornaments rolled in peanut butter and birdseed. With any luck, you'll have cardinal or two come visit and add a beautiful pop of red to your mix.

Let the Holidays Come Full Circle

Even sheds can get into the spirit with lights and wreaths. Wreaths are suprisingly versatile and the same basic form can be used throughout the year with core, seasonal elements switched out as needed. This shed, found in our nation's more southern climes, makes pretty use of white blooms to soften the look of the barn doors. You can achieve the same look here in Sioux City by using bay leaves, cedar, juniper, spruce, or pine. Wreaths don't need to be complicated to be gorgeous; in fact, we would argue that the more you allow the main textures to show through, the better the end result.

Go all out

We know some of you have a garage full of holiday decorations you can't wait to pull out and hang up. (We also know it's why half of you can't park two cars in your two-car garage). So blow your neighbors out of the water. Light up your topiaries. String up your gutters. Trim your garage doors and your entry way. Put a red bow on...everything. And don't forget the waving Santa or the inflatable snowman. The holidays only come once a year, after all.

Whether you decorate your whole house, just your front door, or just your garage doors, holiday decor is a pretty home-owner specific thing. 

Don't feel like decorating your garage door for the holidays on top of everything else? We don't blame you. Of course, that's mostly because we think our doors look beautiful just the way they are.