From the Front Porch: Festive New Year’s Eve Ideas

Hello from the front porch sweet friends. Welcome to the Festive New Year’s Eve Ideas Edition of this weekly series.

How has your week been?

Recently, I was up way past my bedtime hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the last big meteor showers of the year.

I’m grateful our back patio has ample seating because it was so cold we were snuggled up under thick blankets, next to the firepit, complete with peppermint hot cocoa in hand.

Growing up on the Space Coast and spending summers at the farm has afforded us lots of opportunities to catch a meteor shower over the years.

But there was something about this one that felt completely different.

Maybe it was the anticipation of Christmas.

The freezing cold or the stillness of the night.

Perhaps it was because someone in our viewing party had never seen one falling star let alone an entire shower.

Either way the excitement was palpable.

In a 45 minute period we saw between 26 and 28 shooting stars depending on the direction we were facing.

Truly, it was awe inspiring because it’s the most any of us had ever seen at one time.

As I crawled into bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the sparkling stars were set to continue dancing over the house given the meteor shower was scheduled to last well into night.

And how even though I could no longer see them, because I was all cozy in bed, the stars were still lighting up the night sky and putting on a show for all to enjoy.

I know for a lot of you, this hasn’t been an easy year.

There’s been a lot of ups and downs for us as well.

The thing that has made the hard days tolerable and the good days feel like a gorgeous celebration is holding on to my life verse from Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.” (KJV)

As we head into the New Year, I want to gently remind you to look up.

For there you’ll find beautiful things happening all around you in perfect divine order.

A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…

Seaonal Home and Garden Tours:

• This gorgeous Connecticut home with southern charm from House Beautiful is fabulous.
• Gil Schafer is a decorating genius and this Vermont party barn via Veranda is stunning.
• Speaking of party, have you seen this Gingerbread House Tea Party idea From Dogwood Hill? Talk about festive!
• This Highlands home tour by designer Sarah Bartholomew has the fresh start vibes we all need right now.

New Year’s Eve Ideas:

• This post from Home is Where the Boat Is, New Year’s Eve Celebration with Countdown Tree and Tablescape is next level fabulous.
• Speaking of next level, wait until you see Wendy’s New Year Decorations and Ideas. She had me at sparkle!
• I cannot get over all of Michele’s vintage clocks. Her tablescape and tree are amazing!
• I love all the beautiful layers on this tablescape by Ella Claire Designs
• And this one with nontraditional colors from the talented Sugar and Charm.
• 12 DIY Party Decorations for Your New Year’s Eve Celebration
• 20 Fun and Easy New Year’s Eve Celebration Ideas for Families (via The Everymom)
• 35 New Year’s Eve Festive Party Ideas (via The Pioneer Woman)
• 40 Elevated New Years Eve Party Ideas to Ring in the New Year  (via House Beautiful)
• I can’t wait to try Rachel’s 11 Festive Mocktails for Christmas and Beyond
• 75 New Year’s Eve Appetizers to Keep The Party Going Even After the Ball Drops (via Delish)

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• 5 Hacks to Drink More Water (via House of Harper)
• The Benefits of a High Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet (via The Everygirl)
• 13 Techniques For Self-Development Everyone Should Adopt (via Pick The Brain)

New Year’s Themed Podcasts and Videos to Explore:

• How Homemaking Made Me Disciplined In 30 Days: 5 Habits That Changed Everything via @intentionalallie on YouTube is so good.
• This video, A New Way to Make Vision Boards via Body Brain Alliance on YouTube is totally genius and backed by science.
• This video, How to Make 2026 the Best Year: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself via The Mel Robbins Podcast on YouTube and this one, Manifestation for Beginners: 4 Simple Steps to Manifest Anything You Want via The Mel Robbins Podcast on YouTube.
• It Took Me 12 Years to Realize This Powerful Truth About Manifestation via Jay Shetty on YouTube is full of wisdom nuggets.

Makeup, Style and Travel Inspiration:

• Elegant Holiday Outfit Ideas (via My Chic Obsession)
• 11 Easy Makeup Tips for Older Women Plus 3 Myths to Ignore (via Laura Geller)
• The 20 Best Places to Celebrate New Years Eve in the US (via Travel + Leisure)

Encouraging Words…

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

How to Prep for An Unforgettable New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Ornaments Ideas

Word of the Year Ornaments

Last Minute NYE Tablescape Ideas

17 Ways to Ease Into the New Year

DIY Prayer, Wish and Affirmation Boxes

 Shopping Notes…

(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Vision Board Book  (1000+ images to explore, waiting for my copy to arrive)
• Good Vibes Good Life (over 2 million copies sold)
• One Line a Day Journal (a 5 year journal and memory book)
• Self Love Workbook for Women (filled with activities to help you release self doubt)
• Candle (5 scents available)
• Vision Board Book (1000+ images and quotes to explore, ordered this one for the party too)
• A Year of Self Care (daily reflection and practices)
• Journal (9 colors available depending on size, I ordered the white one last year and the blue one this year)
• The Psychology of Money (over 8 million copies sold around the world and definitely a money classic)
• Financial Growth Affirmation Cards (5 variations available)
• Vision Board Book (1000+ images, quotes and self discovery exercises)
• A Year of Positive Thinking (daily inspiration, wisdom and courage to change your mindset)
• Modern Etiquette (a simple 5 step method, love her YouTube channel too)
• I Will Teach You to Be Rich (the inspiration for the series on Netflix)
• Affirmation Cards (5 variations available)
• Manifestation Vision Board Book (600+ clip art and affirmations)

As always, we appreciate you so much and weekend is peace filled and relaxing. 

We can’t wait to share even more with you!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo