What goes into a Christmas display?
Ours started in 1990 with a single blow mold manger scene out in the yard. Here's what most displays are built from, and how the pieces fit together.
Lights
Lights do most of the work, so start there: outline the roofline, wrap a tree or two, and cover the bushes before you add anything else. White looks clean and multicolor looks classic. If you use white, keep warm white and cool white apart, because side by side they clash.
Blow molds and yard figures
Blow molds are the hollow plastic figures that light up from inside: Santas, snowmen, candy canes, nativity sets. They've been around for decades, and older ones still turn up at estate sales and thrift stores. A few grouped together read better from the street than the same number spread across the yard.
Wreaths and garland
A wreath on the door and garland on the porch railing finish off the house. Bonus: they look good during the day.
Inside
Indoors, the tree is the centerpiece, real or artificial. Handmade and hand-me-down ornaments give it more personality than a matching boxed set. Warm white lights make a room feel cozy, and cool white or blue looks crisper.
Making it look planned
Pick a color plan and stick with it, and vary the heights so everything doesn't sit at the same level. A walk through a home store in November will give you more ideas than you can use.
Still choosing lights? Start with picking Christmas lights for your house, or see how to sync them to music.