Christmas on the Front Porch

Today, we’re excited to share Christmas on the Front Porch as we join more of our blogging friends for a week-long annual event, the Christmas Festival Blog Hop, hosted by the sweet and talented Kendra of Joy in our Home.

If you’re coming over from The Tattered Pew, welcome, we’re glad to have you. Didn’t you guys love Kelly’s porch? Her style constantly inspires me and she’s always on some sort of decorating adventure with her Mom too! I love to see all the fun things they put together.

Every year, the front porch is one of my favorite spaces 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 a big space to decorate because the porch runs a good portion of the front of the house. Several years ago, we divided the front porch into zones though and it was a game changer. Let me show you around…

We try to keep things fairly simple around here which means reusing Christmas decorations from year to year even on the front porch. To make things look fresh for our front door this year, we added these fun ice skates. No playing, this DIY Ice Skate Wreath was one of the easiest wreaths we’ve ever made.

This was the first time, we’ve ever added a garland of greenery over the front door which was a fun change.

The fresh rosemary trees smell SO good! Every time you open the front door you can smell them.

Given the winter weather season is pretty short in Florida, we chose container garden plants that could easily handle the transition into spring-like temperatures.

Tucked just off both sides of the front door are seating areas with wicker couches and chairs. It’s so nice to snuggle up with a good book or flip through a holiday decorating magazine. We probably keep way too many back issues of our favorites ha ha.

Do you guys bake during the holiday season? I have the biggest sweet tooth!

This is the first time I’ve ever tried to make a gingerbread house from a kit and it was so much fun.

You can easily make white-chocolate raspberry milk with flavored syrups too. Just a few drops of the raspberry syrup will get you this pretty pink color if you have a little that loves pink. I’ll share how to make the cookies next week!

I picked up all the fabric for the pillows at Joann Fabrics and the throw is a thrifted find. I was super excited to find the dusty pink fabric for our Christmas front porch décor because it was a perfect match for the ribbon I found for $1.99 over the summer.

The ribbon for all the wreaths on the windows was also a thrifted find for $2.99. It’s sort of a creamy muslin color so I think I’ll be able to use it throughout the year too.

Since I’m sharing bargains, have you guys been to Walmart lately? I found this blush colored throw there for less than $10. It’s really soft and lightweight which makes it a great option for traveling.

We’ve also used shades of pinks, whites and grays on the other end of the Christmas front porch.

If you decorate your porch as a family or have your girlfriends over, consider setting out hot cocoa and popcorn or making smore kits to celebrate an afternoon of decorating.

If you have any left-over popcorn you could always string it on your Christmas tree too!

Do you guys collect seasonal mugs like Santa mugs? We bring these out as soon as it hits November 1^st on the calendar.

And we pretty much use the smore kits year-round. You can find the berry baskets at most any craft supply store.

The day I took the photos for this post it was 40 degrees outside so we’re constantly looking for throw blankets that can be easily stored but used when needed.

Speaking of which, I wish you guys could have seen my Mom and I trying to hang up all the wreaths on the windows. It still gives me the giggles thinking about every time I asked her if the wreaths were straight while I was up on the ladder and she was in the yard with her signature, “Well….”

Honestly, my Mom was so sweet to help me decorate for Christmas on the front porch. She also helped decorate on the inside of the house too just a few days before Thanksgiving, so I could enjoy the holiday weekend. It felt like the biggest gift!

I hope you guys find lots of unexpected gifts this holiday season too.

Next up on the porch tour is Little Brags. Christine always has a fun boho style and she’s bringing her creativity to the front porch too! Once you’re finished there you can catch up on Monday’s group and look forward to all the fabulous ladies that will be sharing the rest of the week as well.

Christmas DIYs on Monday

Joy In Our Home | 2 Bees In A Pod | My Creative Days

County Road 407 | Chatfield Court

 

Christmas Front Porches on Tuesday

The Tattered Pew | The Crowned Goat | Little Brags

Follow The Yellow Brick Home | The Painted Hinge

 

Christmas Recipes on Wednesday

Crisp Collective | Love In My Oven | Countryside Cravings

Walking On Sunshine Recipes | Beyond The Butter

 

Christmas Mantles on Thursday 

anderson + grant | White Arrows Home | Elizabeth Joan Designs

  City Girl Meets Country Boy | Red Brick On The Lake

 

Christmas Tablescapes on Friday

The Inspired Hive | Curly Crafty Mom | Making It In The Mountains

Rain and Pine | Timeless Creations

I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow with a look at our Christmas inspired entry. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo