by Morgan Medeiros

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: September 19, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, unless your front door says otherwise. Although you've undoubtedly adorned the inside of your home with a variety of decorations this holiday season, it's likely that you've forgotten your front door.

Guests may be spending more time inside your home that outside it this Christmas, but your door is an equally important aspect of holiday decorating. Consider your front door as "Your first impression". Although guests see the facade of your home first, which may be festooned with lights and garnishments, the door is the object that your guests are staring at while waiting to enter. Awe them while they wait to be welcomed into your winter wonderland or cozy retreat.

First consider the walk leading to the door. Many people have long sidewalks, while others merely have steps, or just a flat surface. Long walkways can be lined with candles enclosed in lanterns or votives, and then tied with ribbon or encircled by holly. Walkways can also be lined with large "Candy Canes" as homage to the gingerbread house. Homeowners with steps can still employ the concept of the candles in votives or lanterns, but line them in ascension of the steps. In addition, tall, clear glass votives can be filled with festive glass ball ornaments or pinecones. If you have even more limited space, try two small evergreen trees or poinsettias on either side of your door. Decorate the trees with miniature ornaments, frost them with artificial snow, or just leave them plain. Small trees or poinsettias can also be used to decorate walkways and steps.

Garlands surrounding the frame of the door provide a pop of seasonal greenery and a base for adhering additional decoration. Cranberries or lights can be strung in the garland, or the garland can be sprinkled with artificial snow. Candy canes, pinecones, or small silver stars are also festive accessories. Self-adherent hooks allow for a variety of decoration. Although many families invest in holiday doormats, consider purchasing a stocking embroidered with your family's surname. The stocking can be filled with candy canes for visitors, or provide a "mailbox" for greeting cards from holiday callers.

Self-adherent hooks are the best way to attach the poster child of holiday decor: The Christmas Wreath. The varieties of wreaths are endless. Greenery, twiggy branches, cranberries, ornaments, poinsettias, pinecones, and pinecones are all feasible options concerning your holiday wreath. All can be purchased pre-made at a store, or you can make your own by first purchasing a ring at a craft store, and affixing your chosen decorations.

No matter what you choose to "deck your halls" with this year, your door is the first step of beckoning guests into your home and should announce that there's no place like your home for the holidays.

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