CHRISTMAS DIY: FRONT PORCH TRANSFORMATION
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The holidays are here, and it’s time to deck out our front porch with all the Christmas cheer we can muster! I am on a mission to turn my house into the North Pole this year, and I am not pulling any punches. Check out my total front porch transformation, complete with my hack for hanging garland on brick! Whether you’re going for simple elegance or a playful holiday vibe, there’s no wrong way to make your porch feel merry and bright. Let’s dive into some easy, budget-friendly ideas to bring your Christmas spirit to your doorstep!
TURNING MY HOUSE INTO THE NORTH POLE: FRONT PORCH TRANSFORMATION
One of the most fun (and surprisingly impressive) ways to dress up your front door for the holidays is by wrapping it like a giant gift. I won’t lie—it’s a bit of a hassle, but totally worth it for the "wow" factor.
I started by carefully wrapping the door in festive wrapping paper, making sure every inch was smooth and tight. When I got to the handles, it took a little extra time to cut around them and fold the paper neatly, but it was totally worth it for that polished look. After securing the edges, I moved on to the window, carefully cutting around it to keep the design crisp and tidy.
The result? A front door that looks like it’s straight out of a holiday catalog, and it instantly made my porch feel even more festive. It was a bit of a challenge, but honestly, the end result made every minute of the effort so much fun—and it always gets so many compliments!
Once the door was wrapped up like a present, it was time to add some fun decor to really bring the holiday magic to life. I started with a cute doormat that had a cheerful holiday message—nothing says "welcome" like a festive greeting right at the doorstep! Then, I added a small fir tree in a decorative pot, nestled next to the door to give it that fresh, wintery vibe. For a playful touch, I tucked in a “Letters to Santa” box, which not only adds a whimsical feel but also encourages a little holiday imagination.
Of course, no Christmas setup is complete without a statement piece, so I added a giant nutcracker by the porch steps, standing tall and full of character. To top it all off, I placed a couple of lanterns on either side of the door for some warm, cozy lighting that really sets the scene as evening falls. The combination of textures, colors, and lights transformed the porch into a picture-perfect holiday scene that was both inviting and festive!
To really finish off the North Pole vibe, I decided to hang garland across the brick archway above the door, and I wanted a solution that was both sturdy and semi-permanent—something we could use year after year but still easily take down if needed. For this, we used hardware cloth (or chicken wire) to create a frame that would hold the garland in place. First, Daniel rolled the cloth around a broom handle and then carefully cut it into strips using aviation snips. After that, we secured the strips to the brick using masonry screws, ensuring it was firmly in place but could still be removed if we wanted to change things up.
Once the frame was up, I draped the garland over it and attached it with zip ties, making sure it hung just right. For that extra festive touch, I zip-tied clusters of ornaments onto the garland, completing the look with pops of red. This setup isn’t just for Christmas; we leave the frame up all year round so we can easily decorate for other holidays too, from Halloween to springtime—keeping the porch always looking seasonal and fun!
Overall, turning my front porch into a Christmas wonderland has been so much fun, and it really sets the mood for the whole season. From wrapping the door to hanging garland on the arch, it’s all those little touches that make it feel extra festive. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the holiday lights with a cup of cocoa, snap a few pictures, or just get into the spirit every time we come and go. And the best part? The setup is easy to adjust for different holidays, so we can keep the porch looking seasonal all year. It’s a simple way to spread some cheer and make the house feel more inviting, whether we’re hosting friends or just enjoying the season on our own.
