Outdoor Christmas Display
Outdoor Christmas Figures
Outdoor Nativity Set

And there were always those yards -- you remember -- that had all manner of outdoor Christmas decorations depicting every single aspect of the holiday season with a spectacular flourish.

The outdoor Christmas figures ranged from the lone outdoor nativity set to an outdoor Christmas wreath hung on a door to yards festooned with animated snowmen, to Mr. and Mrs.

Claus sharing a wink to Santa's reindeer and his sleigh to outdoor Christmas trees, to Seasons Greetings!, Happy Hanukkah!, Merry Christmas!, Happy New Year! and Happy Holidays! writ large and bright in lights. And of course what would Christmas have been without spying the Nativity scene?

And the highlight -- thousands of outdoor Christmas lights twinkling everywhere we looked.

If this is the year you'll set up your own outdoor Christmas displays, you're gonna need some tips and ideas to help you get your Christmas rear in gear and get your cheer on!

So here's your first move: Decide what your display will depict.

If your theme is purely whimsical and low-key, then Santa and Mrs. Claus are always fabulous choices.

But don't stop there. Be daring and let your imagination run wild!

Think traditional and not-so-traditional outdoor Christmas lights, festive outdoor Christmas trees and warm, wonderful, whimsical outdoor Christmas wreaths.

There are all sorts of outdoor Christmas lights and other illuminated, animated, and inflated outdoor Christmas decorations, like Frosty and other snowmen, Snoopy, penguins, Pooh Bear, the Simpsons, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Santa's reindeer, the Grinch, Santa's elves, characters from the Nightmare Before Christmas, and good ol' inflatable Santa himself -- just to name a few.

We'd be here all day long if I went through the entire list of inflatables and animated characters you could choose to use to take your holiday display completely over the top!

You could even display a huge inflatable snow globe where the entire scene takes place inside!

Or take it up a notch with an animated display of Disney's "It's a Small World" -- complete with music.

In fact, every outdoor Christmas display needs music -- don't you think so?

On the other hand, you could do a Nativity scene replete with the three wise men to really convey the true meaning of Christmas.

You may even consider a Christmas combo and have Santa kneeling in front of the baby Jesus.

Or, what about using a Victorian bicycle rider like this one.

Hey, that could be your theme -- a totally Victorian Christmas!

And what would an outdoor Christmas display be without an outdoor Christmas tree, or an outdoor Christmas wreath to welcome holiday visitors?

And don't forget all the other outdoor Christmas figures and flourishes that take your displays to another level.

All righty then, your next move...location, location, location.

You want the display to be as conspicuous as possible -- trust me on this one.

The more conspicuous the better I always say!

This way, you'll be sure to bring holiday cheer to everyone who passes by.

Once you've decided where the scene will take place, make sure there are plenty of safe, accessible power sources.

Because outdoor Christmas lights are essential in bringing your entire Christmas display to life.

Speaking of Christmas lights, why not incorporate lighted, animated creatures like Bambi nestled under your outdoor Christmas trees.

The illuminated, animated topiar y's head moves up and down as if nibbling on the evergreen foliage.

Now a word of caution: If you've ever watched the Griswold family in the movie "Christmas Vacation", you probably thought all their wacky, zany holiday mishaps and antics were funny.

We'll they really were pretty funny -- but it's only funny on screen. If it ever happened in real life, thos e mishaps could mean serious injury.

So, be sure to take all the necessary precautions, including keeping your walkways clear and using only electrical devices specifically designed for use outdoors.

When you've decided on the message your outdoor Christmas display will convey, and you know where you'll put it, and how it will be powered, all that's left is a little creative free-thinking.

So, gather all the kids around, take your time, have some fun, and create a family memory!

Christmastime is magical!

An outdoor Christmas display entertains travelers and guests alike. And it's a great way to welcome the holiday season.

And setting up an outdoor Christmas display is the perfect memory maker.

So gear up for the season with outdoor Christmas decorating ideas and use these helpful tips and you'll be well on your way to creating an outdoor Christmas display that spreads holiday cheer to everyone!