Christmas Window Ideas: 15 No Paint Looks That Make Neighbors Slow Down and Stare

These Christmas window ideas are for anyone who wants their house to look magical from the street without climbing a ladder or painting a single pane of glass. Windows are the eyes of a home, and at night, when the lights are on inside, they are what every neighbor and passing car sees first. A wreath, a strand of paper snowflakes or a glowing star can turn an ordinary window into a little holiday postcard. Every idea below is removable, renter friendly and easy to pack away in January. Most cost only a few dollars and use things you can find at the craft store or already have at home. Walk outside tonight, look at your windows and pick the first one to dress up..

Christmas Window Ideas That Glow at Dusk

The prettiest Christmas window ideas layer a few simple things: a garland around the frame, a wreath in the middle, something white on the glass and a glow from inside. Here, lit evergreen garland outlines the window, a wreath hangs on a red ribbon, paper snowflakes dot the panes and a battery star shines through. A window box full of greenery and birch logs finishes the scene. A Hometalk video on MSN about a window idea everyone is copying shows how much people love this look. Which window faces your street..

You will need: Faux garland with battery lights, a wreath, wide red ribbon, white paper, a battery star, removable hooks and a window box.

How to make it: 1. Hang the garland around the outside frame with removable hooks. 2. Hang the wreath from a ribbon tied over the top of the window sash. 3. Add the snowflakes and star inside, then fill the window box.

Wreaths on Ribbon in Every Window

Nothing says classic American Christmas quite like a matching wreath in every window. It looks grand from the street, and it is easier than it seems. Buy simple faux wreaths in bulk or make them from inexpensive grapevine rings and greenery. Tie a long red ribbon to each one, loop the ribbon over the top of the inside window sash and close the window gently on it, or use a removable hook inside the frame. Make sure all the ribbons are the same length so the wreaths line up. How many windows does the front of your house have?

You will need: One wreath for each front window, red satin or velvet ribbon, removable adhesive hooks and a tape measure.

How to make it: 1. Measure each window and cut ribbons the same length. 2. Tie a ribbon to each wreath with a big bow at the top. 3. Hang each one from a hook inside the top of the frame so they all sit at the same height.

Paper Snowflake Window Garland

Paper snowflakes are one of the oldest and cheapest Christmas window ideas, and they never stop being charming. Fold a square of white paper into a triangle, cut little shapes along the edges and open it up to reveal a one of a kind snowflake. Then clip them onto a length of twine with tiny clothespins and drape it across the window. From outside, they look like snow falling against the warm glow of the room. It is a perfect family evening project with cocoa. Find more ideas in our Christmas crafts for adults. How many snowflakes can your family cut in one night?

You will need: White printer or tissue paper, sharp scissors, jute twine, mini wooden clothespins and removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Fold a square sheet into a triangle three times and cut shapes along the edges. 2. Unfold gently and press flat under a book. 3. Clip the snowflakes to the twine and hang it across the window.

Window Box With Evergreens and Ornaments

Once the summer flowers fade, the window box is ready for a holiday makeover. Fill it with cut evergreen branches, pushed into the old soil or into floral foam, then tuck in pine cones and a handful of shatterproof red ornaments. Mix different greens, like cedar, pine and boxwood, for a full, lush look. It looks beautiful from inside and outside, and the cold keeps the greens fresh for weeks. Make sure the box is firmly attached and not overloaded. If you do not have a window box, a long planter on a sill works too. What colors would you tuck into yours?

You will need: A sturdy window box, evergreen cuttings, pine cones, shatterproof ornaments, floral wire and wooden picks.

How to make it: 1. Check that the window box is firmly mounted. 2. Push the longest greens in at the back and let some drape over the front. 3. Wire pine cones and ornaments onto wooden picks and tuck them in.

Christmas Window Ideas With Paper Silhouettes

Paper silhouettes are one of those Christmas window ideas that look like a store display but cost almost nothing. Print or draw simple outlines of a sleigh, reindeer and pine trees, cut them from white card stock and stick them to the inside of the glass with small loops of removable tape. At night, with the lights on inside, they stand out in crisp shapes for everyone passing by. Kids love seeing the reindeer fly across the panes. Make the shapes large and simple so they read clearly from the sidewalk. What story would your window tell?

You will need: White card stock, printable templates or a pencil, sharp scissors or a craft knife (adult help) and removable tape.

How to make it: 1. Trace or print large simple shapes onto card stock. 2. Cut them out carefully, with an adult handling the craft knife. 3. Tape them to the inside of the glass in a scene, reindeer flying up and to the right.

Christmas Window Ideas With an Ornament Curtain

Of all the Christmas window ideas here, an ornament curtain may sparkle the most, day and night, and it is a great way to use extra ornaments that did not fit on the tree. Fit a tension rod inside the top of the window frame, then tie shatterproof ornaments to ribbons of different lengths and knot them along the rod. Mix red, silver and gold, and big and small balls, for a joyful look. Sunlight bounces off them in the day, and room lights make them glow at night. Shatterproof ornaments are the safe choice near glass. How many ornaments are sitting in your storage box?

You will need: A tension rod, 30 to 40 shatterproof ornaments, narrow satin ribbons in red, gold and silver, and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Fit the tension rod snugly inside the top of the window frame. 2. Tie each ornament to a ribbon cut between 10 and 30 inches. 3. Knot the ribbons along the rod, mixing colors and lengths.

Battery Light Star in the Window

A single glowing star in the window is simple, classic and visible from far down the street. You can buy a star frame or make one from a wire hanger or thin wooden dowels, then wrap it tightly with a strand of battery LED fairy lights. Hang it from a small clear hook at the top of the window so it floats in the middle of the glass. Set the battery pack on a timer so it turns on at dusk every night. It is a lovely, quiet way to say Merry Christmas to your neighbors. Which window would your star shine from?

You will need: A wire star frame or five thin dowels, a strand of battery LED fairy lights with a timer, zip ties and a clear adhesive hook.

How to make it: 1. Bend or tie the frame into a five point star. 2. Wrap the fairy lights tightly around the frame and secure with zip ties. 3. Hang it from the hook in the center of the window and set the timer.

Garland Swag Over the Frame

A garland swag across the top of the window gives the outside of a house a warm, finished look. Choose a full faux garland or fresh pine roping and hang it from small removable outdoor hooks at each top corner, letting the middle dip in a soft curve. Wire a cluster of pine cones and a big red bow at each corner and let the ends hang down the sides. It frames the window like a picture and looks wonderful in the snow. Use outdoor rated hooks so the garland holds in the wind. Would you add lights to yours?

You will need: A 9 foot garland, two outdoor removable hooks, pine cones, two large red bows and floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Fix a hook at each top corner of the window frame. 2. Hang the garland from both hooks, letting the middle dip. 3. Wire pine cones and a bow at each corner and let the ends drape down.

Christmas Window Ideas With Felt Ball Strands

Felt ball strands are one of the most cheerful Christmas window ideas, and they are lovely in the daytime when other decorations disappear. Thread colorful wool felt balls onto strong thread with a big needle, leaving a little space between each, and hang the strands side by side from a tension rod or removable hooks at the top of the window. Red, white and green feels classic, while pastels feel modern. They move gently and look like a soft holiday curtain. Kids can help with the threading, with an adult nearby. What colors would you string first?

You will need: Wool felt balls in three colors, a long needle, strong thread or fishing line, and a tension rod or removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Thread a felt ball every 2 to 3 inches on a long piece of thread and knot each one in place. 2. Make 15 to 20 strands. 3. Tie the strands evenly along a tension rod at the top of the window.

Window Ledge Village

A deep window ledge is the perfect spot for a tiny Christmas village that glows at night. Little wooden or ceramic houses, a church, a few bottle brush trees and a sprinkle of faux snow create a whole world in a few inches. Add a strand of tiny battery lights behind the houses so the windows seem to glow. From outside, it looks like a scene in a storybook. If you love minis, our bottle brush trees gallery has more ways to use them. Which little building would you put in the middle?

You will need: Small wooden or ceramic houses, bottle brush trees of different sizes, faux snow and a strand of battery micro lights.

How to make it: 1. Spread faux snow along the ledge. 2. Arrange the houses with the tallest in the middle and trees between them. 3. Tuck the battery lights behind the houses and hide the battery pack at one end.

Frosted Glass With Removable Film

Frosted window film gives glass that pretty icy look of a winter morning, and it peels off cleanly when the season ends. Look for static cling frosted film, which sticks with just water and no glue. Cut snowflake shapes or a wavy border along the bottom and corners of the glass, mist the window, and smooth the film on with a credit card. It also adds a little privacy for street facing rooms. In the evening, the frosted shapes glow softly from inside. It is a great choice for bathroom and front door windows too. Where could you use a little privacy and sparkle?

You will need: Static cling frosted window film, a spray bottle of water, sharp scissors, a pencil and a plastic card for smoothing.

How to make it: 1. Draw snowflakes or a wavy border on the back of the film and cut them out. 2. Mist the clean glass with water. 3. Press the film on and smooth out bubbles with the card.

Christmas Window Ideas With Shutter Bows

If your house has shutters, they are begging to be part of your Christmas window ideas. A big red velvet bow on each shutter, with a sprig of greenery tucked behind, makes the whole front of the house look dressed for the holidays. Hang them with outdoor removable hooks or wire them through the louvers. Choose weatherproof velvet or wired outdoor ribbon so they keep their shape in rain and snow. They look sharp on dark shutters against white or light siding. From the street, the effect is instant and cheerful. How many shutters does your house have?

You will need: Wired outdoor velvet ribbon, floral wire, small evergreen sprigs and outdoor removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Tie a large bow from about 2 yards of wired ribbon for each shutter. 2. Wire a sprig of greenery behind each bow. 3. Hang them at the same height on every shutter with hooks or wire.

Mini Wreaths on Suction Hooks

Mini wreaths turn a divided window into a cheerful grid of holiday cheer, and suction cup hooks mean no holes at all. Small boxwood or pine wreaths about six to eight inches wide are perfect. Stick a clear suction hook in the top center of each pane and hang a wreath with a short ribbon loop. Add a tiny red bow to each one. They look lovely in kitchen windows, where you see them while you wash dishes. Make a few from scrap greenery and craft rings for almost nothing. How many panes does your favorite window have?

You will need: Small 6 to 8 inch wreaths, clear suction cup hooks, narrow red ribbon and glass cleaner.

How to make it: 1. Clean the glass so the suction cups hold. 2. Press a hook into the top center of each pane. 3. Tie a small bow on each wreath and hang it from the hook on a short ribbon loop.

Candy Cane Window Frame Trim

Turn a plain window frame into a giant candy cane with a roll of striped ribbon. Wrap wide red and white ribbon around the outside trim, or lay red ribbon in a diagonal spiral over white trim, and secure it at the back with removable outdoor tape. Add a bunch of greenery and a bow at the top corners. It is playful, bright and very easy to remove after the holidays. This idea is especially cute on a kitchen window or a child’s bedroom window. Use outdoor ribbon so the color does not run in the rain. Would your kids love a candy cane window?

You will need: Wide outdoor ribbon in red and white stripes, removable outdoor tape, greenery sprigs and two small bows.

How to make it: 1. Start at a bottom corner and tape the ribbon end in place. 2. Wrap it around the frame in a spiral, taping at the back as you go. 3. Finish at the top corners with greenery and a bow.

LED Bottle Lights on the Sill

Empty glass bottles filled with tiny LED lights glow like little lanterns on a windowsill, and they cost almost nothing to make. Wash and dry clear wine, olive oil or soda bottles and remove the labels. Feed a strand of battery fairy lights with a cork battery pack into each bottle, then cork the top. Group three bottles of different heights together for the best look. From outside, they twinkle softly in the dark. A Hometalk video on MSN, string lights and a dollar store bottle, shows how magical this simple trick is. How many bottles have you saved?

You will need: Three clear glass bottles, cork style battery fairy light strands, and warm water and soap for removing labels.

How to make it: 1. Soak the bottles in warm soapy water and peel off the labels. 2. Dry them completely inside. 3. Feed the light strand into each bottle, press the cork battery pack in the top and switch on.