by Julie Wood

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: September 25, 2011

With the Holiday Season upon us, it is time to start thinking about new and interesting ways to decorate and celebrate. No matter what the occasion, try to include the front door or entryway in your decorating scheme. The tone of the event can easily be set by dressing up the front door to your home. It is possible to make a seasonal statement without a big budget or time commitment.

Starting with some basics, that can see you through the entire year, is a great idea. On either side of your front door place a slow growing evergreen tree, planted in large decorative, but plain pots. As the seasons change, you can alter the look by adding a couple of smaller pots of seasonal flowers or baskets of seasonal flags and holiday ornaments.

For Thanksgiving, try a woven basket filled with pine cones collected by the kids, and a couple of decorative Gourds. These are readily available fresh from the grocery store and last for a few weeks. Add a beautiful orange wired ribbon to the basket and you will have the start of a wonderful first impression for your guests. Complete the look with a wreath on your door dressed with a matching ribbon and the effect will be more cohesive.

A wreath does not have to be expensive or elaborate and can be made from items found around the house or the garden, such as evergreen boughs, holly sprigs, pine cones and even old mittens. Most craft stores sell inexpensive wire forms, or basic wreaths that you can add to and personalize with found items. Using the same themes inside your home will give your decorating a more finished look. A small door hanger placed on the coat closet door decorated with the same ribbon is an easy way to continue the theme and incorporating more of the same ribbon into your table centerpiece is another easy step.

If you have kids who love art projects, and never tire of seeing their masterpieces displayed, try a plain wooden wreath and let them paint and decorate it themselves. Or buy some blank plaques and have your kids design their own seasonal welcome sign, let them paint it and hang it by the front door. It is a great way to entertain the kids on a cold afternoon, and will make a nice keepsake.

After thanksgiving, Christmas rolls around seemingly instantly. This time add some baubles and maybe some tiny Christmas lights to your trees. Top them with a star and you have two mini Christmas trees. The baskets can now be filled with candy canes and Christmas ornaments and topped off with a lovely red velvet ribbon. Again add a wreath to the front door, and finish it with the same ribbon. A few jingle bells glued to the wreath will add a touch of whimsy, and in no time at all your home will be ready for the holidays.

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