Christmas on the Front Porch

If you heard someone jumping up and down, clapping like a former cheerleader, using jazz hands like nobody’s business yesterday morning – it was me – because after being down with the flu for more than a week and dealing with rain nearly every day, I’m finally excited to share Christmas on the Front Porch with you today!

I know!

I didn’t know if I was gonna make it, you guys, seriously, I just did not feel well at all. Honestly, even though I’m not 100% yet it feels like the biggest victory to feel creative again AND to be out of my jammers for longer than 24 hours ha ha.

The front porch is always my favorite space to decorate because it’s the first thing we see when we leave the house in the morning and the space that welcomes us home every night. It’s also the space that challenges my photography skills the most. Because the porch is covered, it’s sometimes shady, sometimes sun streaked and runs the length of half of our home.

Once we divided the front porch into zones though, it was a game changer. Let’s start at the front door…

We picked up this wreath and ribbon at our local Joann Store just before Thanksgiving. If there’s a store you like or shop at frequently definitely consider signing up for their email list because most of the time they send you a list of special events as well as coupons. Attending their holiday open house event and using coupons really helped us to be able to buy everything from fabric to ribbon to swags and garland.

I’m normally a neutrals girl but every other year I try my best to add pops of color throughout the house and the porches.

This year, we chose red based off the red, black and white fabric we found early on.

We’re always looking for different ways to use the porches but most of the time we’re out here in the afternoons or on the weekends watching the dogs play, reading books or magazines or just enjoying quiet time.

It’s really easy to grab a sweet treat like these Fudgy Christmas Brownie Bites, or pick up some biscotti at the market.

Obviously, hot drinks are always in order too especially when it’s cold outside – peppermint hot chocolate is one of our favorites.

And you can’t snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa unless you’re also snuggling up with a cozy blanket. We collect blankets all year long.

I love them because they’re functional and they’re so easy to decorate with too. Literally, just layer a blanket with your favorite throw pillow and you’re good to go.

Anytime, we set up a drink station on one end of the front porch we try to set up some sort of easy food station on the other end of the porch.

We eat a lot of soups, stews and chili’s during the winter months so you guys know I love tureens

and don’t even get me started on how much we love monograms around here! #obsessed

What I love about both tureens and monograms is that they’re super simple to use and honestly, they go with just about anything. Wood slices are another item that make front porch entertaining easy because they can act as a tray or help to add height to a makeshift buffet.

I’m normally a crackers and soup sort of girl but on the nights we have chili we almost always have sweet corn muffins.

The sleigh just like the tureen, soup spoons and the wood slices was a thrifted find. We’ve used it all over the house! Sometimes, it’s holding presents or food or napkins or whatever is needed. I’ll share how we used it on the back patio later this week.

Speaking of which, I better get on the stick so I can get everything finished before nightfall – there’s still so much to do!

See you guys back here tomorrow. After I finished the front porch, I started working on our outdoor hot cocoa bar.  Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo