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Good morning friends. I know there are two camps for Christmas decorating, those that like to decorate early and those that wait until after Thanksgiving. This year though it seems as if more people are jumping on the early bandwagon. I think it is great because if you decorate early then you have lots of time to enjoy all of the things on your Christmas bucket list.
Christmas Decorations on Your Front Door and Porch
One of my favorite things is to decorate for the holidays and I think that it starts at the front door. Your front door welcomes your family and friends and sets the tone for whats to come inside.
How do you decorate your front entrance? Do you have a wreath? A tree? Do you use fruit? A sled? This year I am using lots of pinecones and natural elements, and am hoping to have a few small live Christmas trees in pots that I can re-plant later.
Decorating your front door or entry can be as simple as adding a pinecone wreath or as elaborate as adding garland, a wreath or swags, lanterns and more.
Garland
Garland is an easy addition to make to your entrance. You could use this gorgeous live garland inside or out. I cannot remember the name of the account but on Instagram recently someone used layers of fake garland and then added eucalyptus from the market, and other foraged pine and holly from their yard, it was stunning.
Or you could forage for pinecones like I did and make your own garland. I have never made pinecone garland so if you have any tips and tricks let me know.
Magnolia is another natural and popular element to use and the best part is that it is free if you have your own tree. If not there are many places you can buy magnolia leaves to make your own garland or to purchase the garland including, Esty, your local florist or even a garden center.
Image Balard Design
Wreaths
A simple wreath or two or three made from greens, colorful Christmas ornaments or even a combinations of all three is another way to add festive cheer to your front door.
I think this wreath with cinnamon sticks and oranges is another piece that you could easily make, If you do not feel like making one this Williamsburg style with pinecones and oranges is beautiful, as is this one with its plaid wreath.
A wreath on every window along with the porch is a beautiful look. This little fairy tale cottage looks beautiful with its red bows, wreaths and urns filled with greens.
Door Mats
Door mats are an easy and quick fix to add a touch of the holiday to every door in the house. You could add one on the front porch, one at the side door and even one in the garage so that you have a touch of the holiday spirit in an unexpected place. I like this gingerbread inspired one, and this plaid one. I wish I had seen the plaid one before I ordered this one and this one.
Christmas Trees on the Front Porch
A tree on the porch in a beautiful pot, basket or crock is an easy idea. You can use a faux tree or head to the nursery to get a few live ones that you can use later in your own yard. That is what I am planning on doing. I was going to use faux trees but there is a shortage and they are hard to find.
While you are at it, bring a little of the inside outside by using baskets or pots that match your decor to hold the trees.
You could also add swags of fruit, like apples, oranges, lemons and the traditional welcome symbol, pineapple as they do at Colonial Williamsburg.
Or add a sled, skies and other winter paraphernalia, that you could leave up all season long.
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There are so many fin things to do to add a little holiday or winter charm to your porch and door, you are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
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I am absolutely in LOVE with that first pinecone garland!! I want one!! The husband doesn't agree. What does he know. We just have an apartment, so no front door decorations. But someday… I love your taste, these inspirations are fabulous 🙂
~April
Merry Christmas!!
All of these examples are really beautiful. You always round up such lovely products! Our front door and porch area are sort of awkward to decorate. I always do a wreath on the door and a potted tree on the porch, plus some garland on the eaves.
Thank you Marie! They are all fabulous! I cannot wait to see your space.
Inspiring photographs. I'll do my door next week, I usually keep it simple as we go to France for New Year, so probably just a wreath.
I hope you had a relaxing and happy Thanksgiving, I just wish you were in London to come to the chocolate event on Friday.
Have a lovely week
Jude x
GORGEOUS!!!!! I am just now starting, I like changing my planters out to more seasonal looks, and adding an oversized wreath with boxwood and pinecones and sometimes a garland around the door. It is such fun to decorate for the holidays……enjoy your day!
Love the 4th photograph! Not too flashy, not too simple. I have now seen two christmas photographs with pineapples. I have never seen them used before. I must be unaware of a holiday tradition that utilizes them. Have a great day! – Tonya
THEY MEAN WELCOME THOSE PINEAPPLES!
They do indeed. It has also been said that women would leave a pineapple outside while their husbands were at sea if they were open to “guests.”
GOOD MORNING PRECIOUS! A lovely post to start this new week that will lead us into DECEMBER! Can you believe it?
I love to decorate my front door with natural elements. I have been down the glitter route (I LOVE THE STUFF but with the winds here? NO THANK YOU!) and I have to stick with the more natural look.
I WISH YOU a happy week getting your home in order so that your guests enjoy every minute of their stay! LOVE to you, Anita
What a lovely post, I love all the ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Cynthia
What gorgeous door decorations!! I am inspired to really decorate my front porch right this year!
Enjoy your day! xoxoxo
Loved the pineapples Elizabeth…praps I'll do this in Paris??
Elizabeth, those are each entries to love. Wow!
I've finished my front porch, but I haven't taken photos yet either. Coming soon.
I haven’t decorated my front door for Christmas in ages. Maybe if I move I’ll do that. Thanks for the inspiration!
Brenda
I hope that you are able to decorate at the new place! I have faith that God is going to do what is best for you!
Admittedly I do not decorate, since I find Christmas a difficult time of year.
I am sorry that you have a hard time William.
Beautiful porch ideas. Before I even opened your post, I remembered the yellow house with handmade Magnolia wreaths from Southern Living.
So many fun ideas! I love the ones that have mini pine trees – they’re so pretty!
Thank you Stacey, I like that one too!
WREATH on the FRONT DOOR AND A TREE THATS ABOUT ALL I DO AS THE HOUSE IS DECORATED ENOUGH YEAR ROUND!!!
I always do one simple traditional live wreath on our door, but I have candles in all of the windows of our Victorian house. Our neighborhood goes nuts with decorations and I like to be the counterpoint of simple elegance.
That picture of the house with dozens of wreaths in every window stressed me out for some reason :). All I could think of was how would I dispose of or store all of those after Christmas? Loved the others though 🙂
Amy it sounds lovely! I love the look of a candle in every window! I have wanted to do that for years but I have never lived in a house that it looks good in.
What lovely ideas. These are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Thank you Paula!
I could look at these doors all day, Elizabeth! So much great inspiration … I need to rethink my front door now! xo
There are so many amazing and talented people, I am amazed at what people do with their spaces. I am a huge fan of Lucy at Craftberry Bush she is amazing.
Such beautiful inspiration!
Thank you!
They are all beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration.
thank you!
Lovely ideas! I think my readers would love to see this inspiration. You can share it on my 3 link parties at LIfeasaLEOWife.com. I’d love to have you! My mom has a magnolia tree in her yard. I’ll have to try to make a garland or wreath with the leaves. I’ve got to find a way to keep them alive through the season,
Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife
Thank you Niki! I actually already link to your parties! I will be sure to link this one as well. Happy Thanksgiving.