Decorating Ideas for a Festive Christmas Front Porch
Decorating Ideas for a Festive Christmas Front Porch using classic red and simple touches to welcome guests through the holiday season.
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The Tour Details
You are in for a treat today! I've teamed up with 6 of my blogging friends to bring you ideas for decorating your porches for the holidays.
I'd like to give a warm holiday thank you to our host, Amy, from Atta Girl Says for hosting this fun holiday decor tour. At the end of this post, you'll find the links to the other outdoor areas. Be sure to check them all out!
No matter the size of your outdoor area, I am sure you will find some fabulous ideas to add some holiday cheer as you welcome friends and family.
Decorating Ideas for a Festive Christmas Front Porch
Latest Version of my Window Candles
Our front porch is always one of my favorite areas of our home to decorate for the seasons. Fun fact, we live in the country, and our home sits way off the road. You aren't going to see our porch unless you are invited. Ha, ha! Regardless, I love decorating the front of our home for the holiday season.
I've got some simple ideas for creating a festive front porch.
Nothing new was purchased for our 2023 Christmas porch! Each year, I challenge myself to change it up a bit.
Garland
Faux Topiary (similar) | Monogrammed Rug | Top Coir Rug | Red Velvet Ribbon
We have been in our home for 19 years now. Two years ago, I finally replaced the garland that goes around our front door. Garland has come a long way since then.
Similar Items: Grapevine Deer | Grapevine Presents | 3 Foot Santa | Garland | Garland | Zip Ties | Wreath Bells | Garland Lights | Teardrop Wreath
I purchased this garland at Hobby Lobby, and I love it! It can be pricey, but I always purchase things like this at Hobby Lobby when they are 50% off.
Nearly Natural has some great garlands this year. I have their cedar garland in our kitchen. It would also be beautiful around a door.
A great garland can instantly add just the touch of texture and color to your welcoming entrance. It's a wonderful way to add natural elements to your holiday entrance.
I opted to select a garland that is just pine and pinecones. In my experience, when you get a garland that has built-in red berries added to it, they end up breaking up.
I'd opt to add berries or additional florals with holiday picks. They're inexpensive and would allow you to change up your look while your base greenery stays the same.
TIP: Connect garland lengths with zip ties. I also use the zip ties to create loops to attach the garland to the nails in the trim.
Lights
Back when the kids were still home, we'd go all out lighting up our shrubbery. Now, not so much.
I have gone much simpler.
No longer do I put greenery garlands on our railings. I get the same look with lighting.
My favorite lights to use in the garland around our door and railings are cluster or garland lights. They typically sell out fast. At the time of writing this, Sam's still had them in stock online. This set is similar.
They look like a regular strand of lights but have 3 bulbs clustered together per interval. I purchased mine several years ago at Old Time Pottery.
It is so simple but gives off great light. It also keeps you from having to weave the lights in and out so much. Here is another similar set.
The Color Red
Red is not my favorite color. In recent years, I have moved away from it inside our home for the holidays. It just felt like it competed with our everyday decor.
For some reason, I just love it on the exterior of our home. I always use red at Christmas. It's happy, bold, and makes a wonderful holiday statement.
I use this exact red velvet ribbon outside.
Decorative Items
We are blessed with a large front porch. I can add larger Christmas decor pieces on our porch. My pieces all have some age on them. Most have come from At Home Stores, Sam's Club, and Old Time Pottery.
The large Santa has been a fun piece inside and out. His little berries have deteriorated and the paint has worn off of the berries. A quick fix is a Sharpie marker or a little craft paint.
Similar Items: Grapevine Trees | Garden Stool | Wreath | Plaid Pillow Covers | Plaid Blanket | Console Table
I tend to decorate the porch with items you'd typically see outside like little white houses, churches, and birdhouses.
I bought the throw blanket quite a few years ago to use on the porch. It washes well after the season for continued use.
Get the details on this thrift store console HERE.
Make life easier with outdoor smart plugs!
The extra length of the green extension cord is hidden in this antique bucket. I then clipped greens from our woods and added them to the bucket without water. For the porch, they will look fresh for some time. Mid-December, I'll replace them if needed. This arrangement also helps to disguise the outlet behind it.
Thrift Store Sleigh Makeover | Similar Tabletop Sleigh
Always check your thrift store for items that could be used outdoors. A little spray paint can work wonders. You will save a lot of money and if it just lasts a season or two, you aren't out a lot.
Layered Rugs
I removed the larger blue rug that has been on the porch for a while and brought back our very old monogrammed black and gold rug. I layered it with my coir doormat. The darker colors are richer looking for the holiday season.
Covering Pillows and Cushions
If you take away one tip from me today, it's plaid flannel fabric! I have been doing this for years now and it's a winner. I just replaced my flannel fabric this year. It didn't need replacing, I just wanted a new look.
Flannel fabric is a quick fix to cover your outdoor pillows and cushions for the winter season. We aren't using these chairs this time of year, so I don't have to worry about anyone noticing my little trick.
I use about 1 yard of fabric per pillow. I wrap the pillow like a present and secure it with large safety pins in the back. You'd never know unless you picked it up to inspect. The same thing can be done with seat cushions. Mine were neutral so I didn't worry about them. You can find the complete tutorial HERE for covering the pillows with holiday fabric.
In January, I just remove the fabric and wash/dry it for the next year. It's the easiest fix!
I hope you've gotten a couple of beneficial holiday porch decorating tips for the season!
More Christmas Ideas from Our Southern Home
Christmas Porches Tour List
Be sure to visit the other bloggers for even more festive ideas.
Atta Girl Says // Our Southern Home // First Day of Home // Our Crafty Mom
Worthing Court // Today's Creative Life // Postcards from the Ridge
Your porch always looks so pretty, especially at Christmas. I also try to reuse my decor every year. I love the tip about covering your pillows with plaid flannel fabric. Enjoy the holiday season! ~ Angie
Thanks so much, Angie! Such fun touring with you this year. Loved seeing your kitties in your post.
Christy, your porch is so festive and welcoming! I am a big fan of flannel in the winter and love your tip. The Santa is my favorite! Happy holidays!
Thanks so much Michelle! Santa has been inside and on the porch through the years. He is fun and has held up well!
Your home and porch are stunning! I would love to sit and have a cup of hot chocolate and visit the afternoon away!
Oh, Kim…we’d have so much fun chatting together! Thanks so much and merry Christmas!
I love your classic and elegant porch decor, Christy! I feel like I’m ready to replace my garland for something a little lighter like yours. Your console table is especially lovely with those lighted Christmas trees. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Crissy! Your full, lush garland is gorgeous. Mine had really seen better days. Lol! I replaced my inside garland this year for a lighter look. Love that it takes up less space in the attic.
Your porch is beautiful, as always. And I love that trick with the flannel fabric. So smart!
Thanks so much, Amy! I had to find a way to still get my “pillow” look without having pillows everywhere. It’s kind of a joke in our house. Merry Christmas and thanks for including me on the tour.
Love your traditional Christmas porch, Christy! Your porch is long like mine, but you do such a wonderful job of decorating it and making it feel festive and cozy.
Thanks so much, Suzy! It is long and can be a challenge to decorate and not be too busy. I’ve got to get some oversized ginger jars like yours!