OUTDOOR HOLIDAY ENTRYWAY FOR CHRISTMAS

Creating a festive entry for the holidays not only welcomes guests, but it can also spark inspiration for neighborhood holiday decor. When we first moved in to our rented home here in AZ, our block had very few decorations at Christmas - I think we were the only ones. Last year, a few more added lights, and this year, it's so nice to see so many stoops dressed for the season! Each year when I set our holiday entry, I reuse the same core pieces: One lit garland around the doorway, one wreath on the door, two large urns and two lanterns. When it comes to the entrance, I really like symmetry! Since I also have two ledges, I vary what goes on either side of the door or he ledge to change it up a bit. In Florida, I didn't have the space for anything extra, but I'm enjoying the versatility I get to display on our stoop here in AZ. Usually here, I've used black lanterns throughout the seasons, but this year I tried something different: I swapped the two black lanterns for two galvanized lanterns I had inside - and was also actually able to light them. Something else I also love using here in AZ are scarves en lieu of ribbon...

 

To get a longer drape on the urn with the scarf, I tie the scarf around a grapevine wreath at the neck of the urn. The urn is filled mostly with craft paper, and I stabilize the branches - large from Florida and smaller branches with greens from the area - with newspaper towards the neck, and cover with moss.

 

I had some oversized snowflakes, I had used on the stairs in our dining room in FL back in '08, and decided to use them outdoors this year...

 

 

Last year, I had used the large urns away from the door and out on the two ledges, but I found these two mini trees while thrifting to use instead. I just nested them into two painted black containers I had, and covered the container tops with white rock (to look like snow). To give the two trees a little decor, I reused some sparkle snowflakes I use to use on the (inside) tree. I also found two galvanized pails while thrifting last year, which work great to hold my white poinsettias (which really pop against the stone at the entry...

 

The light inside the lantern is a simple single candlestick light, just hot-glued inside the lantern. The lantern I had gotten at HomeGoods back in 2011, and I had used it inside, hanging with rope for my Summer entry. Now, with the candlestick inside, it casts a great shadow on the house...

It's snowing!!

(Don't I wish!)

 

To light the poinsettias, I just tucked some icicle lights I no longer use the window. Net lights (we had to replace this year) get wrapped around two small bushes - and just like the wreath, I used the large snowflakes on them...

 

 

I leave the bark mulch piles & pinecones from the Fall entry, and sprinkle faux snow on them for holiday...

 

The scarves I used on the urns are another thrift find here in AZ - One is  houndstooth and the other is check...

 Below is a peek behind the scenes creating my Christmas Entry - cutting the branches, cleaning the door & sweeping the stoop, running the electrical extensions & hiding them, fluffing the garland + wreath -- and this year, re-lighting the garland with new lights. I use the garage to set a mock-up of what the entry will be and tweak as I set...

Below is last years holiday entry...

 

Holiday Entry 2012

 

Holiday Entry 2012

 

Holiday Entry 2012

 

Holiday Entry 2013

 Hope you're enjoying your holiday season - and some of you will be enjoying a White Christmas! 

Let it snow and thanks for stopping by!

Linking post to:

The DIY Showoff - Holiday Project Parade