Happy Monday! I'm glad you're here today. I'm teaming up with a great group of bloggers to bring you Christmas Tours (thanks to Lovely Etc. for organizing). So, if you are coming from the blog hop, welcome! I hope you guys aren't disappointed with my tour! I decided to focus my efforts on one space. I'm here to show you that space; but also to give you some tips for Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas.
Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas
You guys want to know something kinda funny? I've always loved, and I mean loved, decorating for Christmas. The more the merrier was my mantra. But, over the last two years I've started to feel completely overwhelmed by it all. I'm not sure if it's because we have a kiddo who is involved in extra things or if it's just life in general. But, decorating the house for the holidays began to not be fun. A huge part of that was due to the fact that the decor pieces didn't feel calming. I love the twinkling lights, the feeling when you are sitting by a glowing Christmas tree, but the rest of the decor... just kinda made me look around and feel like everything was cluttered.
So, this year, I decided to let it all go and try to just enjoy the spaces that we have. So, we put up a very simple Christmas tree in our living room (with oversized yard ornaments!) and pretty much called that a day for the inside decor. I walk in to the living room and can totally breathe. It feels magical inside without all the extra Christmas decorations in there. We are majorly enjoying the twinkling lights, the Christmas books that we are reading by our tree and each other. Simplifying... I guess you would say.
But Ashley, you showed a non-simplified picture up above, you say. Yes! The need for simple and un-cluttered apparently doesn't extend to the front porch. Haha. I had a BLAST decorating the front porch and I can't wait to show you.
The non-simplified front porch really calls to me. I think part of it is that, to me, its traditional Christmas decor. The traditional decor really works well outside in this area. Whereas inside, it just doesn't go with our usual modern decor. So, this is calming for me when I see it outside. Does that make sense at all?
Sometimes, I guess you can't help how you feel (whether your feelings are logical or illogical). All I know is that, to me, this feels good. It feels welcoming.
I changed things up just a bit from the Christmas tour last year, but all without buying a single thing.
I'm still using the sleds, although they changed positions a bit. The blanket and pillow are the same. I pilfered the hanging deer heads from around the house. Last year I put the white deer head on top of the Christmas tree. It was cute up there, but I love it on the front porch with a scarf tied around it's neck.
Yep, you heard me right. I tied scarfs (like I pilfered our coat closet) around their necks to give them more texture. I also added some tree slices that we had laying around from my sister's wedding.
I incorporated more lighted garlands in the space and I think they are really key to how cozy it feels.
The wreaths got a make-under. My mom made me a wreath about 10 years ago and it was just so cute. But, I was so sick of it. With her blessing, I deconstructed it as well as another one. I wrapped some tinsel garland around the two 'new' wreaths and called it a day. It's funny how something so simple can be a nice change.
I hope you enjoyed our Front Porch Christmas Tour.
If you are in the market to shop for a similar look, I've rounded up a few options.
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Pin For Later : Decorating Your Front Porch For Christmas
If you love Christmas tours, then I'm sure you will love all the ones that are happening this week. Make sure to stop by on each day and visit all the amazing tours.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Linda @ It All Started With Paint
I love your very merry front porch decor! So lovely!
🙂 Linda
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Linda... that's a huge compliment coming from you! xoxo
Arielle
So inviting! And I LOVE the deer head!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Arielle! The deer heads are $12 at Michaels (just $6 with a 50% coupon!).
Anni
So cozy and inviting. I love it!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Anni! I love the feeling it brings when I pull up to the door.
Alicia @ Thrifty and Chic
I totally get you with the simplifying thing. I really actually just about had an anxiety attack thinking that in a month I have to take back down all the crap I just put up lol. And I feel like my Christmas tree is eating my living room. So, I totally get you! Sometimes, sanity is more important 🙂 Your porch looks beautiful! I can't wait to decorate ours. I need go and find some deer heads now 🙂
Ashley Mayes
Lol, that's hilarious! I can't wait to stop by and see your tour. Thanks Alicia~
valarie
I did enjoy it, and you gave me license to go crazy outside and still keep it calm inside, thanks!!
Ashley Mayes
Yes, go crazy outside!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design
Love what you did with your porch. So festive! And I agree with the feeling of the Christmas decor making it feel cluttered. I always breath a sigh of relief when it is all back in the attic. This year I toned it down too and didn't take it all out. I still have a lot of stuff though
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Julia! Oh man, I think I would really like the Christmas decor inside if I could start completely over with the whole palette but I just get overwhelmed by it. So, the front porch was the way to go. I can't wait to see your tour.
Amanda
It looks great! I wish I had any sort of front porch to decorate! My "front porch" is nonexistent so I usually stick to decorating inside only, other than Christmas lights.
Ashley Mayes
I love outdoor Christmas lights! We had a "stoop" at our last house and although it was pretty small.. it was still fun to decorate. Thanks for stopping by.
Sara @ Shabby Grace Blog
What a welcoming front porch! Love the use of plaid, beautiful.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Sara! I adore plaid and the front porch is the perfect space for it at my house.
Sarah @ Little Red Brick House
I love it, Ashley! It's so cozy and cute! I'm swooning over your plaid and buffalo check. 🙂 Everything looks great!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Sarah! Plaid and buffalo check don't match the inside of my house, which makes it more fun to use on the outside.
Gretchen@BoxyColonial
Looks great--I'm in love with that red sled! And I really like the idea of focusing on just one space for Christmas decorating....I felt kind of overwhelmed and scattered this year (even though I really only did 3 spaces).
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Gretchen! I collect those sleds whenever I see them. I think I got that one at Habitat for Humanity for $10! 3 spaces sounds great to me! I just need a breather.
Jessica
the best decor sometimes are already the things you own. I really appreciate how you recycled what you already have. Love the look of your porch and all that plaid---You were totally head of the game in that department and the sleds are the topping on cake. Love!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jessica! I do adore the sleds. When you find them for $10, you have to buy them. =)
Karen @ a house full of sunshine
Your porch is so cosy and inviting! Wonderful job! xo
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Karen! xoxo
Dee/reddirtramblings
This tour is great fun. I hoped I've entered the contests correctly too. Thanks for the inspiration. ~~Dee
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Dee! I'm sure you did it right. =)
Krista
So pretty and cheerful!! I love that vintage sled!!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Krista! I'm a total sucker for those sleds. xoxo
J
Love the Ho Ho Ho sign with snowmen faces! Did you make or find this somewhere. Would love to add something like this to my sled, skis and snowman (who will work for snow).
Ashley Mayes
Thanks J! I've had the sign for years! You might find something similar at Hobby Lobby.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins
Beautiful front porch styling!! I haven't decorated my outdoors yet,m and yours is simply divine? Fantastic job. Pinned and shared
Sandra L Garth
Your front porch is very inviting! This year I was thinking of scaling back on the inside also. However, may family just might stage a revolt!
Theresa
Love all the ideas. Christmas is fast approaching. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. PInned & Shared
Ashley Mayes
You are so sweet, thanks Theresa!