Christmas in Australia is very much an outdoor affair. I’m sharing tips on setting up a portable Christmas space for the backyard or park. I’ve listed below how I put it together and other general tips I’ve gleaned from eating outdoors on many camping trips.
When it comes to any sort of decorating, I like to utilise everyday items and add accents to make it festive. That’s why the star item this week is the humble picnic mat.
I got this huge 3 metre by 3 metre picnic mat (pictured below) from BIG W. It’s perfect for a dozen sprawled children. Great family Christmas present idea too.
Tablecloth
A regular tablecloth works well, but I like the idea of using a picnic mat or rug as a tablecloth outdoors. A traditional tartan picnic mat looks fabulously Christmassy in this setting. For the table covering here, I used a red and white picnic mat I already owned.
Colour Theme
As a general rule, I pick two main colours then a third (and sometimes fourth) as highlights. So the main theme here is the red and white, and then bottle green as a highlight.
Wood Rounds
I found someone to cut untreated logs to size for a rustic look. The beauty of this is it’s heavy so the table covering won’t budge.
Tip: Other items that can be used to layer the table if wood rounds are hard to secure: placemats, table runner, long piece of wood that runs the length of the table.
Holly Garland
I added a strand of holly garland and finished off with a scatter of collected pine cones.
Centrepiece
For the centrepiece I went for something simple, easy and outdoor friendly.
Plastic Wine Centrepiece
3 Plastic Wine Glasses
Small baubles (colour of choice)
3 battery-operated candles (use blu-tack to attach)
Side Feature
To add to the glass look-a-like theme, I added an upside down tumbler with two battery-operated candles to give more light. Although never as good as the real thing, these candles can give off a surprisingly decent amount of light.
Tumbler Candle
Plastic tumbler
Battery operated tea light
Tips
- Use the tumbler upright with one tea light inside
- Place a Christmas decoration or mini-tree underneath the plastic up instead of the light for a different look
Lights
No outdoor Christmas setting is truly complete without the sparkle of lights. If you have access to electricity, a heap of outdoor lights hung around a patio or in a nearby tree creates a lovely atmosphere.
Battery-operated LED lights are portable. Just pop a few batteries in and hang from wherever you like. This is what I used to create a backdrop for the outdoor setting.
Christmas Tree
This small Christmas Tree costs $5 and can be set up anywhere. Gifts can be placed under the tree or inside a dedicated tub or box (to keep them from accidently being kicked around the place).
Tip: this size tree works as a table centrepiece too.
Outdoor Dining
We camp as a family so have learned many tips and tricks for eating outside, some of which I’m sharing below.
1. Outdoor friendly tableware
Plastic plates and cups go a long way in aiding a stress-free experience, especially if there are a lot of people and family around. This really helps with pack up too: throw everything in a big tub and cart it to where you need it when finished.
2. Create spaces
Think in spaces, even when it comes to food and drink. For example:
– a large mat on the ground for lounging
– fold-up chairs for sitting
– drinks in an esky or tubs filled with ice
– a table for food and another for sitting if you can (fold-up tables are brilliant for this type of thing)
– Have a bin available: line a large rubber tub with a plastic bag
3. Food & drink tips
– While a little more expensive, drinks in serving size — cans, poppers and bottles — make things easy when outside. Place in an esky or container filled with ice and guests can help themselves without the need for cups. This saves having bottles clogging up the table too.
– A large container with water sitting on the edge of a table is ideal
– Think of food in categories. This makes it easy when allocating who brings what at Christmastime.
a) meat or protein
b) side items: salad or vegetables
c) carbohydrates: bread rolls, potato, rice
d) dessert
e) condiments: butter, tomato sauce, salt & pepper
Blow up buffet
I saw this blow up picnic buffet and though it a brilliant idea ($10). Simply blow up, fill with ice and place food containers inside.
Ice or Scrap Bucket for table
Make your own table bucket (ideal for seafood scraps) to go with a colour chosen theme. Use a hot glue gun to attach a ribbon around the top of a small metal bucket.
Drink tubs
Rubber tubs are fantastic for all kids of outdoor use, including drinks.
Set up
I set up this space in a matter of minutes. Hooray for Christmas picnics is all I have to say at the end.
Other ideas for outdoor Christmas decorating
– Hang a wreath on the front door. Love this door decoration from Seven Cherubs
– Citronella candle
– Jars with tea lights to line the driveway
– Outdoor lights
– Pots filled with holly and pine cones
– Decorate an outdoor tree with baubles
– Hang pine cones from ribbon along the windows
143 Comments
Michelle
December 4, 2013 at 10:26 amI love the baubles in the wine glasses idea!! I am definetly doing this for Chrissy and themed parties!
Sharron peacock
December 4, 2013 at 10:31 amChristmas outdoors is a fantastic idea! I’d use
Pine cones decorated on the table 🙂
Christine Millmore
December 4, 2013 at 10:31 amMy decoration tip is to a place card made out of a fly swat. You’ll need them!
Melanie Naveau
December 4, 2013 at 10:33 amKeep is simple! We are preparing all our picnic food the day before to make it quicker to get out the door and so we can sit, relax and enjoy the beach, and each others company!. Don’t forget your phone loaded up with Christmas music!!!
Melissa Antolovic
December 4, 2013 at 10:43 amSome great ideas – love the timber rounds
If your picnics at the beach make sure you pack the baby powder do get all that icky sand off you and the kids before hoping back in the car
Jessica
December 4, 2013 at 10:45 amBug spray, bug attracting candles and mesh food protectors- nobody likes bugs in the hair, eyes, or food! If you can get rid of the mosquitoes you’ve got a no fail outside party !!
Emma Phillips
December 4, 2013 at 10:49 amMake it a fun family activity: decorate outdoor plants with tinsell and home made decorations and cover pots in wrapping paper….everyone can participate and enjoy the time together 🙂
Kelly Sammut
December 4, 2013 at 10:53 amSimple paper lanterns, in a single colour or a combination to suit your theme, strung in the trees at different heights. Bright, cheerful and creates a lovely festive atmosphere!
Michelle Bamford
December 4, 2013 at 11:05 amKeep it simple! This year I have hung a few decorations on a gum tree branch for our outdoor Xmas BBQ. Only took a few minutes and looks very Aussie 🙂
Amanda Eastment
December 4, 2013 at 11:16 amBeautiful Christmas bunting hanging from the trees or fence makes for a lovely Christmassy feel. For a white Christmas look, use doilies as snowflake bunting.
Jenn
December 4, 2013 at 11:16 amFly swats and mesh protectors, lol. Our xmas always needs plenty of bon bons to decorate and have fun with. Xmas wouldn’t be the same without lame bon bon jokes.
eliz a buf
December 4, 2013 at 11:17 ammy favorite way to decorate outside is candles, candles, candles… i like them in all sorts of saved-up (from the kitchen) little glass jars with a bit of sand inside. even in the afternoon, they are cheery and visible and festive. and tiny tealights are very inexpensive, so having lots feels really splurge-y but still leaves plenty of budget for the real star — the food!
xoxo, buf
Donna
December 4, 2013 at 11:23 amWe are making a table centerpiece out of fruit in the shape of a Christmas tree. Can’t wait to create it with my daughter!! Also outside fairy lights look amazing as does other Christmas decorations in the garden.
Cheryl
December 4, 2013 at 11:34 amLove your simple creativity – makes me think even I could do it!
I think having a lots of cushions to lounge around on is crucial for outside.
Kylie D
December 4, 2013 at 11:36 amLove those ideas, I think we need a giant picnic mat for our backyard.
My best tip is Aeroguard or similar, it’s no fun being eaten alive by insects while trying to have fun outside.
Celeste
December 4, 2013 at 11:39 amWhat fabulous ideas. I love that it is so simple and understated yet looks so stylish!
Celeste
December 4, 2013 at 11:45 amMy best tip is to be prepared for the weather! A white tablecloth to reflect the heat and make sure you have something to weigh down the corners like sand filled baubles strung on the corner of the cloth so the wind doesn’t whisk it away! Or better still use a large roll of christmas wrap or butchers paper so it can have food and drink spilt on it and be thrown away afterwards with no hassle with washing.
Tanya
December 4, 2013 at 12:28 pmIn the summer months the sun can be harsh. My tip is to use a portable, easy to assemble gazebo to offer shade for your guest when the sun is beating down. We use ours over the sand pit for the kids, to extend a party into the back yard or as a temporary shaded play area for the kids.
Diane Drysdale
December 4, 2013 at 12:59 pmFabulous ideas! We cannot wait for Xmas 😀
Clair
December 4, 2013 at 1:03 pmI love a white table cloth and lots of little jars and assorted vases with beautiful in season flowers! I can wait to do my Christmas table this year!
Kate R
December 4, 2013 at 1:09 pmOne thing I love about Christmas in the summertime is all the beautiful colourful fruit we have here. The food of the picnic itself – including such lovely fruit – can be part of the decorations. I love the idea of the inflatable buffet – this would keep the fruit and everything else cool long enough to have it out for a little while looking lovely before eating!
Trish
December 4, 2013 at 1:13 pmMy first tip is Keep it simple, I’m learning a lot from u Big W squad gals! Simple colours n u don’t need the best crockery or items to have the best Xmas table setting! Your red n White setting is divine! I’m loving that plastic inflatable buffet u put ice in and throw the salads into…gorgeous! Next tip is…Do the best with what u have n ALWAYS shop at BIG W of course! Fantabulous!
E Beverley
December 4, 2013 at 1:17 pmDon’t forget to be sunsafe. Slip, slop, slap! Even Santa wears a hat!
Natashia
December 4, 2013 at 1:31 pmBig W is selling solar charged LED lights these days. Simply put the solar unit out to charge the day before and you have a battery free decorating option. The solar charged lights have more lights on the string and last longer than the battery option. Bonus is that you can use them before and after Christmas as outdoor decorations too!
Mel
December 4, 2013 at 2:02 pmIn Australia I think a cute/ funny idea would be an individual mozzie sunscreen with the person’s name on a tag around the rim to keep the burn and itches away while you enjoy your special time!
Rebekah
December 4, 2013 at 2:15 pmChristmas is about chilling out and having FUN! Why not fill a plastic tub full of water balloons (already filled with water) in the kids area and a spray bottle with water (put onto fine mist) with each placemat for the adults to keep cool too. Of course every Xmas should have a hammock strung between two trees..
Katrina Corbett
December 4, 2013 at 2:17 pmWe all love the Christmas bon bon’s in our family so we decorate with those.
Tennelle
December 4, 2013 at 2:43 pmI like to let my kids take charge of decorating outside, the always have bright ideas and arent afraid to be different.
Charlotte L.
December 4, 2013 at 3:00 pmSimple is always best! Mozzie Spray and sunscreen are a must. If you are having seafood then having bowls of water with cut lemons to wash your hands in is a good idea to get rid of fishy smells or pack hand wipes.
Michelle Gray
December 4, 2013 at 3:07 pmRecycle, use items such as empty drink bottles to make new items like decorated tea candle holders. Cheap, easy, the kids can help and they look fantastic, and if they get damaged, who cares!
katie
December 4, 2013 at 3:40 pmLots and lots of Gorgeous Fairy Lights, thank you for sharing all your ideas. xx
Toni Balkin
December 4, 2013 at 3:52 pmmy eco-friendly silly season tip is to collect some branches discarded from trees, place the branches in pots (old coffee tins, formula tins work awesome) and fill with soil/sand/gravel to hold branch in place. give them a spray with red spray paint and load it up with green baubles (or your favourite xmas colours). very cost effective and looks amazing. HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALl.
Cath D
December 4, 2013 at 4:43 pmDecorate natural environment with Christmas lights. Lay out picnic blanket and scatters cushions. Enjoy Christmas music and festive cheer!
Fran
December 4, 2013 at 6:18 pmIf the weather is nice I just move the indoor decorations outdoors, also if I offer hubby a couple of beers, he will agree to putting up the lights.
Susan daly
December 4, 2013 at 6:20 pmHave a few throw pillows or sleeping bags on the mat or rug to make it a bit comfortable for the kiddies – or grownups lounging around!
Michelle
December 4, 2013 at 6:26 pmMy kids love to help decorate by putting tinsel and Chrissy baubles on our outside trees.
Alisia Cameron
December 4, 2013 at 10:35 pmSome flowingy streamers hung above the table will blow around gently above the food and to dissuade flies and other flying insects that threaten to invade your Yule-time festivities!
Summer Hinaki-McDade
December 4, 2013 at 10:52 pmI love fresh flowers and greenery and scented candles on the table with a nice throw rug and comfy pillows on the ground.
Karlene
December 5, 2013 at 12:48 amCitronella flares – they keep the bugs away without applying smelling sprays to your skin.
Lisa
December 5, 2013 at 7:26 amHave everything labelled and stored in boxes so when putting up your Christmas lights your display will shine brightly.
Kirsten
December 5, 2013 at 7:36 amDefinately a fly cover!
dianne inwood
December 5, 2013 at 8:38 amWe hang solar lights, like baubles and wind chimes with color changing lights all around the pergola. We also have fairy lights. At night time its magical, just like a fairy garden.
Sarah D
December 5, 2013 at 9:44 amHave fun don’t make it a “job”.
Michelle Buckton
December 5, 2013 at 1:32 pmThere is no need to buy new decorations. As with your upturned glass idea, many items you already have at home came be re-used as decorations with a little imagination. Try filling Xmas Tree decoration balls with a little sand, attach a ribbon to hang with and pin to the corners of your tablecloth to stop it from blowing away for those outdoor Xmas parties. Decorative and functional.
Liz Pollard
December 5, 2013 at 2:58 pmMy best tip for decorating outside is to not go outside. It’s too damn hot! Keep everyone inside.
Krystal D
December 5, 2013 at 3:42 pmNever underestimate the weather. Try to anchor any decorations so they’re not blown away and if they’re waterproof even better.
Chloe Barber
December 5, 2013 at 4:10 pmmake use of nature! hang fairy lights/lanters off trees
mellie jane
December 5, 2013 at 4:24 pmTinsel in the garden use your plants as outdoor christmas trees and don’t use breakables as this always ends in disasters.
Katie @ The Imperfect Housewife
December 6, 2013 at 7:36 pmHanging Christmas decorated pinecones in trees along with some tinsel 🙂
Natalie
December 6, 2013 at 7:37 pmGet kids to decorate outdoors. It may not look perfect but it will have character and meaning and more than likely lots of sparkle and color 🙂