DIY Outdoor Christmas Decorations for the Porch

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Ideas for easy DIY outdoor Christmas decorations for the porch. Inspiration for lighting, a sitting area, door wreath, and more.

diy outdoor christmas decorations on front porch 2

Around here, one thing marks the arrival of each new season more than anything else, and that’s when our front porch is fluffed and decorated. So…Christmas has officially arrived! This year’s decor is colorful and whimsical, with a sprinkling of snowmen. As always, I followed the same formula that I’ve shared many times…but let’s go over the five steps of that formula again.

diy outdoor christmas decorations

DIY Outdoor Christmas Decorations: An Easy 5-Step Process

Here are the five elements on our porch that are updated with each new season:

  • Door Wreath
  • Doormat
  • Planters
  • Soft furnishings in sitting area
  • Accessories & lighting

pine door wreath with red plaid ribbon

The door wreath was easy and so quick to put together. You can see how to assemble it {HERE.} This wreath was made from scratch this year, but the elements were all things I had, except the ribbon. I try not to completely reinvent the wheel. If you can rework and renew your existing Christmas decorations, you will save both time and money.

Front Door Color

snowman doormat on checked rug

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The layered doormats are a combination of something old and new. I used the black and white rug earlier this year, but the snowman doormat is new. I put the planters together when I did our fall front porch, so all they needed was a string of white lights each. 

outdoor christmas decorations on traditional front porch

With the door area under control, I turn my attention to the sitting area. The base for this end of the porch hasn’t changed for several years. I use the same white rockers and round table, but by switching out the seasonal accessories, the space gets a whole new look. 

snowman pillows | lanterns | black & white throw blankets | red plaid ribbon | small flocked tree (similar) | LED candles | white lights

*The snowmen are no longer available. They were part of my mom’s collection. 

diy outdoor christmas decorations on porch

pine in ball jar with cranberries

How to Refresh Outdoor Christmas Decorations

It’s sometimes a challenge to look at your old outdoor Christmas decor, and see ways to refresh it. Here are a few tips that will get you started.

  • Add something new. You may think this is defeating the purpose, but there’s no harm in updating your things by adding new accessories. Even a couple of new bolts of ribbon would brighten any space. Don’t start from scratch…but keep an open mind about purchasing a few, well-chosen decor items. The only items that were newly purchased for this porch are the pillows and doormat. I’m not sure you’ll see the doormat again, but I can guarantee you will see the snowmen pillows someplace inside next year!
  • Switch things around and bring the inside out. Use something outside that you normally use inside. If you always hang the same wreath over your mantel, use it on your front door instead. Bring your stairway garland outdoors and use it around your front door. If you collect snowmen or Santas, bring some of them outside.
  • Add fresh greenery. Even if you don’t have any outdoor Christmas decorations at all, start with fresh pine cuttings. Put them in a bucket or basket beside your front door. If you don’t have pine trees, look around and see if a friend or family member has some. You can buy fresh pine for a great price at places like Costco or Sam’s Club. It’s pricier at nurseries and garden centers, but many times you can find small bunches for a reasonable cost.

outdoor christmas decorations snowman pillow on rocker

outdoor christmas decorations porch rocker

With Thanksgiving in just a few days, the holiday season is in full swing. The coming weeks will be busy for everyone, but I hope you enjoy the hustle and bustle…at least a little. So until next time, may your days be merry and bright.

subscribe box christmas

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21 Comments

  1. Always love your porch Ann! I’m following your advice and switching things up this year, Shopping my own bins and putting stuff in different places. I’m loving the results. I too enjoy decorating my porch. . Things were changed up this year because we got new siding and changed the color of our house from blue to red. It’s so fun!!🎄PS I live in the Midwest too and leave my furniture on the porch all year round😉

  2. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says:

    Ann, as usual, you have done a wonderful job with your front porch! It’s beautiful! Love your “snowman” theme! So nice that you have your Mom’s snowman — precious memories!

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Thanks for all you do for your readers! You are so special! We really appreciate you, Ann!

  3. Francis Moore says:

    I I love the way you decorate your front porch. Very festive.

  4. Ann, your “snowman porch” for the Winter is amazing!!! So many fun pops of colour and whimsy – and that wreath, as always with you, is lovely. Just curious though… do you bring your white chairs inside when the snow arrives as you live in the Midwest? I’d love to do more styling on my front stoop where I live in Canada but snow is always an issue.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Joan…no, the furniture stays out on the porch year round. I have no place to store it. The chairs have a hard finish on them and have weathered extremely well. Happy Holidays!

  5. Heather B. says:

    Ann, I always love your front porch! This year’s theme is festive and fun. It’s wonderful you have incorporated your mom’s snowmen into your decor. She would have loved that!

  6. You always create the best front porches. Love the black and white theme this year!

  7. Looks beautiful and welcoming. Love the snowman pillow.

  8. Rebecca M says:

    So pretty! Happy Thanksgiving!

  9. Everything looks so nice! Can you tell me how deep your front porch is? I would love to copy your ideas but our porch isn’t very deep. Thanks in advance for your help.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Lisa! The depth of the porch is 60 inches. I lose about 6 inches where the porch railing sits, so I have about 54 inches to work with. I hope this helps!

  10. Awesome as always ♥️ Your ideas 🎄

  11. Adorable,loving the snowman pillows and figures.I am a big fan of black buffalo check anything and have used it in and outside in my Christmas decor.

  12. Your front porch decor is always so lovely for every season.
    I’m getting anxious to start my decorating.

  13. Jeanette Duke says:

    Your porch is so festive and beautiful, Ann!🎄

  14. Kittyluvr says:

    When I buy a new front doormat, I move the old one to the back door! Then toss the old back door mat…. then I don’t feel so wasteful because I have kinda recycled! Love the snowman theme which can easily carry over into January.

  15. Your front porch is beautiful! I am wondering about the fresh pine cuttings in a container. Should they be in water? If so, what happens when the temperature drops below freezing?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Krista! Yes, add some water to the cuttings. If the temps drop, the water will freeze. The pine usually survives though! Just make sure that your container is able to take the freezing and thawing temps without breaking. Metal would work best. Happy Holidays!

  16. I have lived in three different states and I know the local Home Depot
    was happy to give me branches they trimmed off the bottom of trees that had been purchased. If you get there
    at the right time they have plenty.
    Free greens!
    As always ……your porch looks
    welcoming and lovely.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Great tip…thank you!

  17. This is the part I always look forward to. Decorating the porch. I love porches and have one myself. Great ideas that I will incorporate on mine for Christmas. I’m going to go into our woods and get greenery for ours this year. It’s great to add to many things we have to give a fresh look

    Thanks for always inspiring

    Happy thanksgiving