Outdoor Holiday Lights and Decorations

Outdoor Christmas and holiday decorations are often the first signs that it's officially time to celebrate the season. Light up your world wherever you live and whatever winter holiday you celebrate: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year's.

Size really doesn't matter -- you can decorate a tiny balcony or bedazzle your theme park-sized estate. Decorations range from wreaths and garlands to inflatable Christmas characters and computerized light shows.

While holiday lights became popular in the 1920s, it wasn't until after World War II that entire neighborhoods got together to present themed decorations and lighting displays. Trends and innovations have followed, including plastic blow mold Christmas figurines; large C7 and C9-sized light strings; white icicle lights; computerized, synchronized and animated extravaganzas. More recently, holiday decorators have favored big inflatable characters and decorations, along with energy-saving LED lights. Enjoy this diverse tour of holiday homes.