I have always been enchanted by small white lights on porches and trees during winter. They bring warmth and a little magic to the darkest months.
Last year, shortly after we moved in, I discovered these Moravian stars while looking for porch lights. I hadn’t seen them in person on the West Coast before, but I thought they would make a beautiful addition to our winter decorating and traditions.
These Moravian stars make a wonderfully magical statement. They deliver impact without needing a lot of space or large items, so they’re ideal for smaller homes.
They fold flat for storage, which is a real advantage for our small house—easy to tuck away until the season returns.
We prefer the plug-in Moravian stars because they stay bright and cheerful on the porch.
At first we bought battery-operated stars thinking they would be more convenient, but they dimmed quickly, so we returned them for plug-in versions. We power ours with an extension cord run up a porch post; in the future we plan to add an outlet on the porch, but a white extension cord works well for now.
We appreciate the symbolism and tradition of Moravian stars and enjoy decorating with items that carry meaning.
Moravian stars have a long history. They were first seen in the Moravian community of Herrnhag, Germany, as early as 1747. Many people hang them beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas as a nod to the Star of Bethlehem—a symbol of hope and the anticipation of light overcoming darkness. I find that sentiment especially moving.
It snowed on Christmas last year—a rare treat here in the Northwest. We sat by our cozy fire and watched the stars sway in the breeze as snowflakes drifted past, then quietly blanketed the neighborhood. It was peaceful and lovely.
Best of all, our Moravian stars are more than decoration—they brought us comfort and joy through the darkest days of winter.
As I mention in my book A Lovely Life, embracing simple rituals and cozy moments helps winter feel less heavy and more special. The stars became a small tradition we looked forward to each year and often remembered fondly through spring and summer.
We don’t always get snow here, though I’m happy to see a flake in the forecast this week. Regardless, we’re grateful to have the stars brightening our porch and bringing joy to our little corner of the world.
Winter Porch Sources:
Moravian Stars: I recommend the plug-in style if you can use them, since battery-operated ones tend to dim quickly. They come in various sizes—consider your space when choosing. I ordered the 18-inch size but ours measure closer to 21 inches, so double-check sizing when ordering.
White extension cord: We don’t have a high porch outlet yet, so a white extension cord brought up a post has been an easy temporary solution to power the lights.
Plaid pillow covers, white birch trees and other decor pieces add texture and seasonal interest to the porch and entry. Fresh cedar garland is another favorite—one 30-foot strand wrapped around our small porch does the job, and it smells wonderful as it moves in the breeze. Cedar also holds up well outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Similar white Adirondack chairs complement the porch and create an inviting look when paired with stars and garland.
More winter ideas and traditions we love:
Winter candle in the window is a simple tradition that creates a cozy, welcoming feel. A DIY candle lantern on the porch and tips for making Christmas garland extra full are easy projects that add charm and warmth to your home.
For more seasonal inspiration, consider my book A Lovely Life: Savoring Simple Joys in Every Season for ideas on creating meaningful rituals and cozy spaces throughout the year.
Shop seasonal decor to find items that are beautiful, meaningful and special for your home.
TIP: Keep a curated list of favorite items for the seasons so you can easily find decor and gift ideas. Updating that list over time helps you discover new pieces that feel special for your home.
