Christmas Mix on the Front Porch

Happy December, Everyone!

Hi Friends, are you having fun transforming your home to Christmas?

We had a couple of nice days over last weekend, so I wanted to get the outside decorating done while we wouldn't be freezing. Missouri weather is notoriously crazy at best, but after Thanksgiving it's just as easy to be a snowy wintry mix as anything above 50. So Thanksgiving weekend is when we all shoot for porch and outside decorating. 

Last Christmas (our first Christmas here) kind of caught me off guard, because I was thinking about what kind of theme and color scheme I'd used in the past. I was just planning on using my old standby theme. But one big element sort of threw me off. 

You all know I love Tartan Plaid everything, and in the past I'd used it on the porch (wherever we've lived). There was only one problem at this house. I have a slightly, orange/ bittersweet/ pumpkin colored door. Yes, the door I love during the rest of the year just doesn't go well with red Tartan plaid! I learned that too late last year, so this year I was trying to be ahead of the game. 

(The gray plaque on the left is our house numbers

that I just cloned out, in case you were wondering

why I would have have a plain piece of wood hanging there)

A little red and a smidge of plaid will work, but I just can't make it the focus.

I was on the line with the large red plaid ribbon on the sled and watering can,

but oh well, I'm living dangerously.

During the Fall I started looking for pillow covers for the old metal bench.

I wasn't planning on Buffalo Check but it seemed like the best option

 that didn't have a lot of red in it.

Then I found this adorable "JOY" lumbar pillow,

and thought how cute they would look together.

Once I put them on the bench I loved them!

I'm using my larger gray wash wicker basket again,

with some faux evergreens, fruit and red berries.

I have some larger Black/White Buffalo Check ribbon,

but thought two different sizes of check might look confusing.

So I went with a wider black grain stripe burlap ribbon instead.

My old beat-up French watering can

and my hubby's childhood sled

both have some of that red plaid ribbon.

The heavy antique concrete urn which usually holds a Boston fern, 

now has the other small lighted tree from Target. 

They came in a two-pack and the other one is in the goat cart in the Garden Room.

I used a bundle of burlap to stabilize the tree. 

     It has white lights that make the porch very charming when seen from the street.

One little weird thing is that the basket naturally leans off-center. 

I guess it must be the handle. 

It makes me a little crazy trying to straighten it frequently.

Last year I had my little white wheelbarrow out here

and I may add that when I'm finished with everything else.

I'm not used to having space for more pieces of decor on a porch.

I just don't want to overdo it and junk things up.

It's a fine line with me... haha.

I found the frosty red berry wreath in my stash. 

I thought it coordinated with the wreath on the pillow.

Otherwise there are big ugly nails imbedded in the brick wall.

So best to try to cover them up.

Where do you start your Christmas decor?

 Is the porch first or last?

*This isn't a sponsored post.

Buffalo Check Farmhouse Pillow Covers

Joy Lumbar Pillow Cover

Come by Monday evening and join us for:

joining in here:

Finding Silver Pennies-Sunday

The House on Silverado

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

 Celebrate Your Story at The Zucchini Sisters,  

Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z,  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Party in Your PJ's at Apple Street Cottage
  Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles  Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage
Charming Homes and Gardens at Shiplap and Shells

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  
Embracing Home and Family at the Everyday Farmhouse

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge