Ways to Illuminate Your Yard This Winter

By Winnie Yu

Brighten long winter nights with the twinkle and glow of luminaries. Perfect for parties or everyday enchantment, these simple ideas warm a winter landscape -- and your spirit.

1. Light up the path to your door.

Guide holiday guests and family members to your door by placing can-style luminaries (about $30 for 30) along a driveway or walk. These 10-inch-tall cylinders are made of white plastic flashing. Drill holes in the plastic to create your own design -- stack pieces to drill multiples quickly. Tuck the cylinders into the snow or grass on either side of the path and then add candles. The more the merrier!

2. Make your garland glow.

Old-fashioned canning jars hang out with pre-lit artificial garlands to add some swag to a plain fence line or deck. Make handles for the jars (about $10 for 12) with 18-gauge wire. You can cut a single length to wrap the neck and form the handle. Drop in a votive candle and hang from the hooks used to hold the garland.

3. Add bursts of light to your yard and windows.

Give landscapes a touch of rustic style with these simple glass-and-metal lanterns (around $36 for 5). Just attach storm collars to jelly jar glass globes. For a secure fit, seal the collars to the glass with clear caulk. Randomly scatter your creations across a snowy yard or line them up neatly along a ledge or railing.

4. Brighten your stairs, railings and walkways.

Lend a helping hand to the night sky by adding twinkle to the winter landscape. Make a set of luminaries (about $25 for eight) out of canning jars by wrapping each in a square of aluminum screen. Cut the screen to size and then cinch it in place with galvanized steel wire. These portable night-lights create enchantment just where you need it: along stairs, railings and walkways -- even under a bare tree dressed up with clear string lights.

5. Hang a star.

Bright orange by day, brightly lit by night -- this dramatic star goes together quickly for about $11 plus lights of your choice.

Gardening - Great Ways to Illuminate Your Yard This Winter