When it comes to decorating your homes exterior for the holidays, theres a lot of fanfare around the wreaths, garlands, and lights, but those porch plantersthe same ones that happily housed geraniums in the summer and mums in the falltend to go overlooked this time of year. They dont have to! Despite the colder temps, there are plenty of ways to twirl up an empty container or window box for the holiday season, from tree-shaped rosemary shrubs to boxwood orbs to lush and loose arrangements of items foraged from your surroundings. You dont even have to do any planting, necessarily. From freshly clipped tree branches and faux greenery to clusters of pinecones, you can embrace a mix of materials and textures to create an impactful and aesthetically pleasing display befitting any cottage, farmhouse, or cabin. How to Arrange Outdoor Christmas Planters Generally speaking, the classic thriller, filler, spiller rule is a good frame of reference to create any container. Start with your thriller, which is your focal plant or element (it could be a mini Christmas tree, for example). Next, layer in your filler, which is a material to round out your container. Finally, your spiller is any material that drapes or trails dramatically over the edges of the pot, such as large boughs of fir or trailing ivy. Below are 23 beautiful planters to give you inspiration. How to Care for Outdoor Christmas PlantersAs the season progresses, you can remove the more Christmas-y parts of your display, such as ribbons or ornaments, and your planter will look appropriate all winter long. Just snip out any pieces of greenery that begin to turn brown. If inserting real evergreen stems into soil in warmer climates, water the planter regularly. This will help the cuttings stay supple. In colder climates, dont worry about it: Most mixed-evergreen containers will last for months, especially if theyre not in direct sunlight.Find more inspiring seasonal dcor, flower arrangements, and holiday content:1Greenery-Filled Crock PlanterAdam Albright, styling by Kelly Ryan KegansCollect extra branches of greenery and put them upright in a stoneware crock for an easy outdoor planter. Adjust the height as desired by the length of your branches. You can even add a little water to the crock to help prolong the greenerys freshness.RELATED: 50+ DIY Christmas Wreaths to Give Your Guests the Prettiest Welcome2Woven Basket Christmas Tree PlanterDylan ChandlerIts no secret that were big proponents of a porch tree. Whether you deck it out or leave it untrimmed, a woven basket makes for the perfect skirt.RELATED: Tour the Inside of This 1830s Log Cabin That Perfects the Old-Fashioned Christmas Look.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Natural Topiary Christmas PlanterYuliia Blazhuk//Getty ImagesDried flowers, live vines, and evergreen garland twined around a conical topiary make a lovely display.RELATED: What Its Like to Own a Christmas Tree Farm4Pine Branches in a Stoneware JugNat Rea, styling by Matthew GleasonFor a twist on a traditional planter, place freshly clipped branches in a narrow-mouthed vessel, like a woven demijohn or stoneware jug.RELATED: Tour This Rhode Island Saltbox All Decked Out for Christmas with Fresh GreeneryAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Vintage Bucket PlantersNordeck Photography INC.Every farmhouse has at least one or two galvanized or enamel buckets around. So, put them to good use come Christmas as planters for small evergreen shrubs. Leave the trees bare or decorate with pine cones and even lights for extra glow. RELATED: 14 Types of Christmas Trees You Should Know About6Antique Wheelbarrow PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeWhether you fill it with soil and plantings or simply add a medley of containers, an old wheelbarrow is a great way to lend classically country charm to seasonal blooms.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Galvanized Tub PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeDainty hellebores and paperwhites look quite pretty when paired with worn and weathered metal containers. (Champagne buckets could work too.)8Greenery-Filled Urn PlantersRikki SnyderThe most instant-gratification way to flank a front door: Tuck fresh sprigs or big branches of greenery in large planters, such as these stone urns. The branches may not last into February, but they will at least sit pretty for your holiday party.RELATED: Tour Inside This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the CatskillsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Red Wagon Tree DisplayBrian WoodcockRemember how we said we love a good porch tree? Here, a smaller four-footerdecked only with a scarfsits atop a red wagon filled with presents. RELATED: Tour Inside This Charming Tennessee Cabin That is Rustic Revelry at its Finest10Wooden Crate PlanterCountry Living / Sussie BellWhether used indoors or out, a wooden crate is a useful vessel for an arrangement of amaryllis and freshly clipped greenery.RELATED: How to Care for an Amaryllis PlantAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Antique Watering Can PlanterPhotography Sussie Bell, Styling Selina LakeDress up a rusty old watering can with an assortment of seasonal clippings.12Potted Boxwood PlanterKaryn MilletYou can never go wrong with simple boxwoods, real or faux. For extra embellishment during the holiday season, tuck in a few bows.RELATED: Top 5 Christmas Decorating Trends for 2024, According to Designers. Yes, Bows are Still Very Much a Thing.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Wreaths Around Dog StatuesBecky Luigart-StaynerAs an alternative to a traditional planter, consider placing wreaths around statues that flank the front door. Here, dog statues look extra festive at a Mississippi hunting lodge designed by Richard Keith Langham.14Potted Trio PlantersDavid MeridithRound out your standard wreath-garland combo with a mini sled and assortment of potted plants and trees.RELATED: Tour the Inside of This Utah Home All Decked Out for the HolidaysAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Woven Basket Bevydmf87//Getty ImagesMatching wicker baskets hep unify this handsome wintry display of live trees and berried stems and grasses.16Boxwood and Birch Window BoxTammi Mild//Getty ImagesA combination of boxwood clippings and upright river birch branches make this a handsome window box arrangement. A light peppering of berries and a pretty poinsettia-themed bow add the finishing touches.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Lush and Lively Planterspeterspiro//Getty ImagesFilled with various types of greens and a collection of faux fruit and green stems, these eye-catching planters prove that more is more when it comes to holiday decor.RELATED: Learn All About Tudor-Style Houses18Country-Style Window BoxTammi Mild//Getty ImagesThis pretty window box is overflowing with greens, red twig dogwood sticks, and rattan balls. A plaid bow ups the country charm.RELATED: 20 DIY Window Boxes to Step Up Your Outdoor DcorAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Flocked Branches PlanterLaurie Rubin//Getty ImagesEnjoy a white Christmas, regardless of geography. Here, white pine is dressed up with flocking powder to simulate a snow-dusted arrangement. Branches of berries add some color and contrast. RELATED: A Step-by-Step Guide to Christmas Tree Flocking20Gold and Gilt PlanterSkyF//Getty ImagesA tall planter with simple lines is accented with gold ornaments and a gold star. Curly willow and berried branches add height and drama. Arricca Elin SanSoneContributing WriterArricca Elin SanSone is a freelance writer, editor, and digital content developer. She specializes in lifestyle and interior design content with a focus on gardening. Arricca earned dual bachelors degrees summa cum laude in English and classics from Hiram College, as well as an MBA cum laude from Georgia Southern University. Before writing full-time, Arricca studied in Rome, traveled in Europe, and taught school in Asia. With over a decade of experience, Arricca has pitched, researched, and crafted fresh story ideas and content to appeal to national audiences. She has written thousands of articles for print and digital publications such as Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, House Beautiful, and more. Shes passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.Janece MazeJanece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When shes not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.