This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.
Happy Holidays from my home to yours! Our front porch is open and decorated for the Christmas holiday! Check out all the homemade decorations I made from Christmas items past, a new sign (with free SVG!) that is perfect for 2020, and of course a holiday cocktail to make things merry!
Special thanks to Amy from Atta Girl Says for being the gracious host every year. Honestly, if Amy didn't do this, we'd still have all the decor up in the attic.
I so appreciate you stopping by today, and I know the other ladies in the hop would love to drop by as well, so please do check out all the fabulous tours in the links at the end of the post! Get a sneak peek now:
Even though a LOT of things changed in 2020, our residence did not. So I'm still challenged at decorating our long narrow porch. To make things really 2020, I challenged myself to use only items I already had. This was great because it meant I spent little to no money!
It also motivated me to go through at least ½ of my holiday containers to see what I could conjure up. Since I'm not out shopping in stores, I had a little shopping fest in my own home! I was surprised at how many things I was able to reuse and repurpose. So let's get down to the nitty-gritty and jump into some of those details, shall we?
I brought back my DIY vinyl farmhouse wood sign with a brand new SVG file! I kept thinking about how comfy cozy and simple our holidays at home will be this year, and I started joking in my head about staying put for the holidays and in the end, I couldn't resist this 2020 themed sign. LOL
I will of course share the file with all your lovely people- I plan to post it in the next few days, just have to do some final tweaking on it to make sure it works 100% with all your cutting machines! I want to make it as easy as possible for all of you!
It's all ready to go now! Yay! Grab your "staying home for the holidays" FREE SVG file!
The gold metal bead garland was a clearance score at Restoration Hardware many many many years ago. I trimmed a tabletop tree with it in this dining room decorating ideas for Christmas post from 2014!
Wow, that was a long time ago! You might even spy the white glass and mercury glass planter the little tree in front of the door is sitting in over on that post! The two tiny green flocked wreaths are from the dollar tree and they have been flocked several times over the past holiday seasons.
Along with the sign, I made the three hoop wreaths on that wall, as well as the hoop wreath on the door. They are easy peasy and such a fun project! I'll be sharing step by step tutorials later this week. In case you don't want to wait or are not feeling crafty at the moment- I've got you covered with this list of Amazon Christmas Wreaths Worth Ordering!
The hoops are sold in a set of 3 at Walmart for just a few dollars. They sell even bigger sets on Amazon. I used floral picks that I've had on hand for ages. I tend to buy them up when they are 70-90% off after Christmas and get them for a steal! A few snips here and there with wire clippers, some floral wire, and some hot glue, and in no time you have a one-of-a-kind-wreath!
Here are some up-close shots of the smaller wreaths! I used some of the same garland beads on the middle one along with one of my birch bark stars and it took less than 5 minutes to assemble! The clear command hooks are sure showing up in my pictures though, aren't they? haha! Sometimes you just can't get everything 100% perfect.
In the past, I had a heck of a time hanging anything, and then I discovered you can hot glue them to the brick! Easy to put on, and easy to peel off. I used Gorilla Glue hot glue sticks for the first time and they worked perfectly!
Next up is the white bench. Previously it was brown, but I painted it so that the white would coordinate better with the gold and silver color scheme. It's seen better days, but the bright white chalk paint made it more cheery for sure!
The tablescape is so easy to recreate and would look fantastic running down the middle of a dining table or on a fireplace mantel. Again, these are things I already own. The bronze candle holders are from the Habitat for Humanity Restore and were less than a dollar apiece. The tarnished silver tray and holders I picked up at an estate auction.
I also put in some of my favorite battery operated candles. These are some of my most favorite things! It's all about the flickering moving wick. It just makes them seem so much more realistic! I rounded things out with some mercury glass votive holders, some metallic bulb lights, and a bit of beaded trim.
Of course, the thing your eye might catch the most is that adult beverage propped on the edge next to the gingerbread men! I like to offer my guests a holiday drink with the porch tour. In the past, I've feature quick 5 minute cranberry ginger ale punch and white hot chocolate.
This year it's gingerbread cocktails! We are a ginger loving household for sure! My boys beg for chocolate ginger ooey gooey bars, easy reindeer gingerbread cookies , and gingerbread mini bundt cake this time of year. Since these cocktails are not kid-friendly, they make do with gingerbread hot cocoa.
Now onto more of the details. For the front door, I wrapped it in garland I've had for 20 years! Yes, that is right, I've had the lighted plain green garland that I bought at Michael's since 2001. It's seen better days for sure, and I planned on replacing it this year. Since I'm not shopping, I decided to make do.
Just like the wreath, I stuck in leftover floral picks I had. I wrapped it once with another plain green garland, hung some plastic silver ornaments, and used more of the glittery picks to tie everything together. I also did the same to several of the candles. Up top the door, I added more birch bark stars and finished the glass window off with another wire ring wreath.
My wreath hanger also said "MERRY" in bright red so I covered it with some greenery too! The glue gun was busy this day for sure! I found some glittery poinsettia flowers so those were included too! Last year I did the whole porch in poinsettias.
The year before that was the Birch Bark Star year.....
I'm so thankful Amy invited me back for the third year, she keeps me motivated all through the year, but really kicks me into gear for the holidays. She truly is a great friend and a gem in the blogging world.
I can't wait for all this craziness to be over so we can get together in person sometime soon! Until then, you and I can just virtually visit her front porch along with the other fabulous featured tours.
Grab your FREE SVG file for Staying Home For The Holidays 2020!
Spread the Christmas Cheer & Help Small Businesses! Please pin to your favorite holiday boards to share these festive outdoor areas!
MORE CHRISTMAS PORCH INSPIRATION
Be sure to visit all the participating bloggers for festive decorating inspiration for your front porch, patio, sunroom and screened-in porch.
Atta Girl Says // House of Hawthornes // DIY Beautify // Chica & Jo
Worthing Court // Cottage at the Crossroads // Postcards from the Ridge // Weekend Craft
This Worthy Life // Marty's Musings // Sweet Pea // Our Crafty Mom
Major Hoff Takes a Wife // Today's Creative Life //
Paula@SweetPea says
I love the sign that you created for 2020 for your wall, it's perfect!! I need to remember your trick to hang something lightweight on brick with a hot glue gun. My husband refuses to let me nail a hole in any of our brick! I really enjoyed all of your porch decor!
Chica and Jo says
We love how creative you got with items you already had. You've made a wonderful, inviting entryway.
Atta Girl Amy says
You’re gonna make me cry, Sara! I ❤️ you. So wish I could come visit on your porch and have one of those cocktails!
I really enjoyed your porch tour and all your DIYs and tips for reusing items you already have. Smart anytime, but so important in 2020. #stayhome
But you really rocked my world with that hot glue tip. I was going to comment that I never have luck with command hooks on brick and stone. But now I know your trick. Definitely trying it on our fireplace.
Tatanisha R Worthey says
So much to love in this porch look! The sign- staying home for the holidays is my favorite! And the tablescape, just beautiful!! Your porch is gorgeous!
Robin Smith says
It was an incredible Christmas! Thank you for your idea of decorating your front porch and front door. I tried to repeat the same finish. It looks just fabulous. The guests were delighted. I also added a small buffet table at the entrance, and this greatly lifted the spirits of my guests. Anyone could come up and take something tasty for themselves, and could no longer go into the house to share their festive mood. Looking forward to your next decors! I also like watching how the do makeovers I am delighted with everything you do! I love your block ... Thank you for working on it!