Funny Christmas Decorations: 15 Hilarious DIY Yard Ideas That Make Neighbors Stop and Laugh
Funny Christmas decorations are the easiest way to make your street smile this year, and most of them cost less than a takeout dinner. Elegant lights are lovely, but a pair of Santa legs sticking out of a chimney gets people to slow their cars, wave and snap a picture. That is the magic of a silly yard. Every idea in this list is a weekend build from plywood, thrifted figures, pool and beach gear and a little outdoor paint. Most pieces are flat cutouts or simple stuffed props, so you can make them at the kitchen table and stake them in the lawn in minutes. Pick one or two, or go all in and build the funniest house on the block..
Funny Christmas Decorations Start With Santa Stuck in the Chimney
The idea that kicked off this list is Santa stuck headfirst in the chimney, boots kicking at the sky. Creator Dylan Anderson showed how much people love a homemade laugh when his comedy roof display video passed 83 million views on YouTube. You do not need to climb anywhere risky for this one. Build a short brick chimney prop on the lawn or porch, then pair it with more easy yard decorations for a full scene. These funny Christmas decorations prove that one simple prop can steal the show..
You will need: an old pair of red sweatpants, black rain boots, pillow stuffing, a large sturdy box or plywood crate, brick contact paper or red and white outdoor paint, outdoor sealer, two wooden stakes and zip ties.
How to make it: 1. Stuff the pants firmly, push each leg into a boot and tape the waistband closed. 2. Cover the box with a brick pattern, seal it and cut an opening in the top. 3. Slide the legs in boots up, zip tie them to a stake inside the box, and anchor the box on the lawn with the second stake.
A Sand Snowman for Warm Weather Yards
No snow where you live? Build your snowman out of sand and let the neighbors do a double take. Damp play sand packs just like snow, and a light mist of water and white glue helps it hold its shape for days. Give him driftwood arms, dark pebbles for eyes and a smile, and an orange clay nose. For more ways to style a frosty friend, browse these snowman decor ideas and borrow a hat or scarf idea.
You will need: two or three bags of play sand, a bucket, a spray bottle, white school glue, driftwood sticks, dark pebbles, orange air dry clay and a small knit scarf.
How to make it: 1. Mix the sand with enough water to pack, then shape a wide base, a middle and a head, patting each layer firm. 2. Mist the surface with one part glue to four parts water and let it dry. 3. Press in pebbles for the face, add the clay nose and driftwood arms, and tie on the scarf.
Funny Christmas Decorations: The Reindeer That Crashed
Every yard needs one reindeer who took the corner too fast. This plywood deer is cut at the shoulders, so only his back half shows, legs up and tail in the air, as if he dove nose first into the snowbank. It is one of the cheapest funny Christmas decorations you can make, since you only cut half an animal. Old fence boards or pallet wood projects are a great source of wood, and the rough grain makes him look nicely weathered.
You will need: a 2 by 3 foot piece of exterior plywood, a jigsaw, a printed reindeer outline, brown and white outdoor paint, sandpaper, two wooden stakes, wood glue, brad nails and a red knit scarf.
How to make it: 1. Trace the back half of a reindeer with the legs kicked up and cut it out with a jigsaw. 2. Sand the edges, paint the body brown and add a white tail and belly patch. 3. Nail two stakes to the back, push them deep into the snow or soil at an angle, and drop the scarf nearby.
A Little Snowman Guarding the Woodpile
Small figures in unexpected spots are a quiet kind of funny. A cheerful snowman in a top hat standing watch over the logs looks like he takes the job very seriously. Tuck him by the woodpile, the shed door or the steps, and add a tiny plaid scarf so he stands out against the logs. He also fits right into your winter porch decor long after the gifts are opened.
You will need: a thrifted resin or ceramic snowman figure, clear outdoor sealer spray, a small piece of plaid flannel, a wood slice or paver for a base, outdoor glue and a handful of faux snow.
How to make it: 1. Spray the figure with two coats of clear outdoor sealer and let it dry. 2. Glue it onto the wood slice or paver so wind cannot tip it over. 3. Tie the flannel piece on as a scarf and set him by the woodpile with faux snow around the base.
The Melted Snowman Puddle
This one makes people laugh twice, once when they spot it and again when they realize it is a snowman who simply gave up. A wavy white puddle shape lies flat on the lawn with his hat, carrot nose, coal eyes, twig arms and scarf scattered on top. It is one of the funny Christmas decorations kids love to help design. Let them choose where everything lands, then try more snowman crafts with the kids indoors.
You will need: a 3 by 4 foot sheet of thin exterior plywood or white corrugated plastic, a jigsaw, white outdoor paint, an old black top hat, a foam carrot, five black river rocks, two twigs, a knit scarf, outdoor glue and landscape pins.
How to make it: 1. Draw a wavy puddle outline, cut it out and paint it bright white with a light gray edge. 2. Glue the rocks, carrot, twigs and hat onto the surface in a messy melted layout. 3. Lay the puddle on the lawn, pin it down at the edges and lay the scarf across it.
A Waving Penguin in a Santa Hat
A penguin waving at visitors from the front walk is funny because it looks so pleased with itself. Ceramic and resin penguins show up at almost every thrift store, and a tiny red Santa hat turns any of them into a holiday greeter. Line up three or four in a row, from biggest to smallest, so they look like a family marching to the door. Group them near the steps with greenery and wrapped boxes from these front porch ideas.
You will need: three or four thrifted penguin figures, mini Santa hats or red felt, white glue, white and orange acrylic paint, clear outdoor sealer and a few pavers to set them on.
How to make it: 1. Touch up the bellies and beaks with paint and let them dry. 2. Glue on mini hats, or sew small cone hats from red felt with white trim. 3. Seal everything, then set the penguins on pavers in a line along the walk, tallest first.
Funny Christmas Decorations With a Bitten Gingerbread Man
Somebody got hungry. A giant plywood gingerbread man with a big round bite missing from his arm is a sweet joke that works for every age. Stand him by the walkway so guests pass right by his missing bite and grin. Funny Christmas decorations like this one are easy to scale up, so make a second, smaller cookie with a missing foot for a matching pair. Pull the colors from your indoor gingerbread decor to tie the house together.
You will need: a 4 by 2 foot sheet of exterior plywood, a jigsaw, a large round bowl to trace the bite, brown, white and red outdoor paint, a white paint pen, sandpaper and two wooden stakes.
How to make it: 1. Draw the gingerbread outline, trace the bowl on one arm for the bite, and cut it out. 2. Paint him brown, then add wavy white icing lines, a smile and three red dots. 3. Seal the paint and attach stakes on the back to stand him by the walk.
A Snowman Packing His Suitcase
Why is the snowman packing? Because he heard about the beach, of course. A plush snowman sitting in an old open suitcase is a funny little scene for the porch or a spot near the front door. Tuck a pair of tiny sunglasses or a rolled beach towel next to him to finish the joke. If you love retro charm, this pairs well with other kitschy holiday pieces.
You will need: a vintage hard suitcase, a plush or felt snowman, a mini beach towel or washcloth, toy sunglasses, a small bag of faux snow and clear waterproof spray.
How to make it: 1. Clean the suitcase and spray the lining with waterproof spray. 2. Set the snowman inside with the lid propped open behind him. 3. Add the towel and sunglasses, sprinkle faux snow around it and place it on a covered porch.
Funny Christmas Decorations at the Mailbox: Santa Got Stuck
The mail carrier will enjoy this one most. Santa seems to have climbed into the mailbox to deliver something special and never came back out, leaving only his red pants and black boots kicking at the street. Wrap the post in garland so the mailbox looks festive from every side, and see more mailbox makeover ideas for the post itself. Funny Christmas decorations at the curb are the first thing visitors see, so this is a great place to start.
You will need: a pair of child size red pants, small black boots, white faux fur trim, pillow stuffing, a wooden dowel, zip ties, a short evergreen garland and floral wire.
How to make it: 1. Stuff the pants and boots and glue fur trim around the cuffs. 2. Zip tie the legs to the dowel and slide it into the back of the mailbox so the legs hang out the front. 3. Wire garland around the post and check that the mail still fits inside.
Reindeer in Cozy Sweaters
Reindeer get cold too. A pair of simple wooden reindeer dressed in knit sweaters and red bows is funny in the gentlest way, and it is a great use for baby or doll sweaters from the thrift store. Stand them nose to nose in the snow so they look like they are chatting about the weather. Love the sweater joke? Try these ugly sweater projects for the family too.
You will need: a 4×4 post for the bodies, 2×2 lumber for legs and necks, a saw, wood glue, brad nails, two baby or doll sweaters, red ribbon, gray and cream outdoor paint and two wooden stakes.
How to make it: 1. Cut a 12 inch body block, four 10 inch legs, a short neck and a head block for each reindeer. 2. Glue and nail the parts together, then paint them gray or cream. 3. Pull a sweater over each body, tie on red bows and stake them nose to nose.
Funny Christmas Decorations: A Snowman Snowball Fight
This scene tells a story the second you see it. Two teams of plywood snowmen face off across the lawn, arms raised, with white wooden rounds frozen in midair between them. The trick is stiff wire that holds each round in place. Paint every snowman a different scarf color so the teams are easy to read from the street. Leftover lumber from these 2×4 craft builds works well for the stakes.
You will need: two sheets of exterior plywood, a jigsaw, white, black and bright outdoor paints, six 3 inch wooden craft rounds, stiff 12 gauge wire, needle nose pliers and wooden stakes.
How to make it: 1. Trace four snowmen in throwing poses, cut them out and paint faces, hats and scarves. 2. Paint the wooden rounds white and wire them to stakes at different heights between the teams. 3. Stake the snowmen in two pairs facing each other across the yard.
Gnomes Dressed as Tiny Santas
Garden gnomes already look like they are up to something, so dressing them as tiny Santas is an easy laugh. Tall red hats, fluffy white beards and little round noses turn a plain garden path into a meeting of holiday helpers. Place a pair on the walk leaning together, as if they are sharing a secret about your gift list. For more patterns, try these handmade gnome projects and make a matching crew.
You will need: two red knee socks, rice or dried beans in a zip bag, white faux fur, two wooden beads, red felt, hot glue and clear waterproof spray.
How to make it: 1. Fill a zip bag with rice, slip it into the foot of a sock and tie it off for the body. 2. Glue a faux fur beard across the front and a bead nose just above it. 3. Roll the rest of the sock into a tall hat, add felt trim, spray it and set the pair on the path.
Santa Takes a Snow Day Vacation
After months of work, Santa deserves a break. Set a stuffed Santa figure in a red and white lawn chair on the snowy lawn, with sunglasses, a mug of cocoa, his boots up on a cooler and a beach umbrella planted beside him. The mix of summer gear and winter weather is what makes people laugh. Lean into the silly side with more whimsical holiday decor around the yard.
You will need: a red sweatsuit with white fur trim, pillow stuffing, a foam head form or round pillow, a faux beard, a Santa hat, white gloves, toy sunglasses, a folding lawn chair, a small cooler, a plastic mug, a beach umbrella and zip ties.
How to make it: 1. Stuff the sweatsuit and gloves, then add the head form, beard, hat and sunglasses. 2. Seat Santa in the chair and zip tie him in place so wind cannot move him. 3. Prop his boots on the cooler, tape the mug to one glove and anchor the umbrella in the snow.
A Lazy Snowman Face on the Snowbank
Not every snowman needs a body. When the snow is too dry to roll, press a face right into the side of a snowbank and call it a lazy snowman. A carrot nose, a few pieces of charcoal and two twig eyebrows are enough for a goofy grin that greets everyone walking by. Change the face every few days, from surprised to sleepy, and your neighbors will start checking for the new look. It also pairs nicely with a classic figure, like these vintage blow molds, for a mix of old and new.
You will need: a fresh snowbank, a carrot, five or six pieces of natural charcoal, two short twigs and a small paintbrush for shaping.
How to make it: 1. Smooth an oval area on the side of the snowbank with a gloved hand. 2. Push in the carrot for a nose and set charcoal pieces in a smile and two eyes. 3. Add twig eyebrows at a funny angle and brush loose snow away for a clean face.
Funny Christmas Decorations Finale: Flamingos Pull the Sleigh
End with the biggest laugh of all. Santa’s reindeer must have the day off, because a team of pink lawn flamingos in tiny Santa hats is pulling his sleigh across the yard. Plastic flamingos are cheap, and you can build or thrift a simple wooden sleigh and pile it high with wrapped boxes. Need a sleigh plan? These sleigh builds make a great base. Funny Christmas decorations like this turn a plain yard into a holiday story.
You will need: six plastic lawn flamingos, six mini Santa hats, a wooden sleigh or wagon, empty boxes, waterproof vinyl gift wrap, outdoor tape, wide red ribbon and floral wire.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the boxes in vinyl, tape the seams and stack them in the sleigh. 2. Glue or wire a mini hat onto each flamingo head. 3. Set the birds in pairs ahead of the sleigh and run ribbon reins from each pair back to the front of the sleigh.
