How to Decorate Your Front Porch for Christmas

Let guests and passers-by know you're in the Christmas spirit by decorating your porch. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes
• Gift Ribbons
• Plywood Sheets
• Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Christmas Trees
• Santas
• Boxes
• Candle Lanterns
• Candy Cane Yard Decorations
• Cardboard
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Luminarias
• Paints
• Poinsettias
• String Lights
• Twig Or Wire-frame Reindeer
• Wrapping Paper
• Cardboard
• Saws
• X-Acto Knives
• Saws
• Tissue paper
• Boxes

1. Cut a Christmas stocking shape out of cardboard or plywood. Paint and decorate it (and make sure some "gifts" show at its top) and hang it near the front door.

2. Cut a snowman shape out of cardboard or plywood and paint or decorate it for front-porch decor. A real hat and scarf give it a three-dimensional look.

3. Place a potted poinsettia - or several - near the front door. Use real plants if your climate is not too cold for these tropical plants.

4. Purchase a large Santa and have him stand near a couple of twig or wire-frame reindeer.

5. Gift-wrap several empty boxes and arrange a pretty stack near the front door. Use colored plastic wrap and ribbon if your porch is not protected from the elements.

6. Decorate a real or imitation Christmas tree beside your front door. If space allows, flank the door with two trees.

7. Mark the path to your front door decoratively. It will look especially welcoming when bordered by luminarias (traditional candle lanterns) or giant candy canes.

8. Light your porch and walkway to make it safer and more festive for guests who visit during the long nights of the holiday season.

Resources

• Santa Letter
• Christmas Recipes

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on 11/22/2005 Take one of the tomato cage wire frames. Turn it upside down and secure the three wires. Use bushy garland starting from the bottom and wind it around the cage frame. Secure it at the top. You can add lights and decorate if you wish. It looks great outside.

on 11/22/2005 When having company over during the holiday season, I place some candles outside near the entry way. Light them just before your company arrives. It makes a nice, welcoming entry.

on 11/22/2005 We like to put wrapping paper over the door then tape ribbon length-wise and across so that the door looks like a big present. It's really cute and very inexpensive.

on 11/22/2005 Wrap some empty food boxes (square) with brown paper, tying each with string or red ribbon. Stack them on a traditional wood-and-metal sled. Edge the sled with lighted evergreen garland, and tie down boxes to keep them from blowing away in the wind.

on 11/22/2005 I prop an old sled in one corner decorated with a swag of greens, large pine cones and a fabric bow. On an old paintless chair, I have a wooden country Santa. Near the steps is a rusty metal basket filled with dried flowers, greens and berries.