![poinsettias-and-burlap-porch.jpg Poinsettias and burlap porch](http://lh4.ggpht.com/--4N5gjjzFO4/VIejCLywl4I/AAAAAAABMPk/nVJ8IJkkXV8/poinsettias-and-burlap-porch.jpg?imgmax=800)
I’m not actually going to give a whole “Christmas Home Tour” this year, but I did want to share my front entry way since I do that every year and this year is no exception.
I personally think your front entry is one of the best places to decorate for the holidays since it sets up the rest of your house as you walk through the door.
This is the first year I did a full christmas tree by the front door. I picked this 6 foot little guy up on black friday for $15 It sure doesn’t look like a $15 tree! I used burlap ribbon and some vase filler twine balls as “ornaments” along with some red berry floral picks. Simple yet pretty.
![burlap-christmas-tree.jpg Burlap christmas tree](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lCP04J3FxBo/VIejW8DOcqI/AAAAAAABMQk/yHLwThyAYZ0/burlap-christmas-tree.jpg?imgmax=800)
Having a tree works out really well on my porch since I have a tall thin area only on ONE side of the door. The tree helps balance the space. (I always struggle with getting enough height next to the door every time I decorate this porch.)
![christmas-tree-by-front-door.jpg Christmas tree by front door](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2D_qupaFgu8/VIejQflFnSI/AAAAAAABMQM/j2s22IvO2Bw/christmas-tree-by-front-door.jpg?imgmax=800)
I wrapped a bunch of empty boxes with brown paper (so technically they are “brown paper packages”) and added red ribbons and a little toy sleigh to fill out the space underneath the tree.
![brown-paper-packages.jpg Brown paper packages](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gtpf-yHxzIE/VIejbDbYEXI/AAAAAAABMQ0/8gyIli955wo/brown-paper-packages.jpg?imgmax=800)
On the other side of the door I have my teak bench and to continue with the red color theme, I added 6 poinsettias that I picked up on Black Friday for 99c. I use these poinsettias every year (including on BOTH of this year’s mantels and on last year’s porch.) They are my black friday staple! I buy as many as they will let me (this year the limit was 15.)
![christmas-bench.jpg Christmas bench](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1fec_rG4HMk/VIejSmcNXJI/AAAAAAABMQU/xp4NTqmJvz8/christmas-bench.jpg?imgmax=800)
As you approach the door you are definitely submerged in Christmas cheer:
![christmas-tree-front-porch.jpg Christmas tree front porch](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-847UiExmi4g/VIejNQFCEXI/AAAAAAABMQE/02VSxp3LyHs/christmas-tree-front-porch.jpg?imgmax=800)
On one side of the bench I put a couple of Ikea lanterns and on the other side I tied my thrift store ice skates I bought specifically for decorating.
![ice-skates-on-bench.jpg Ice skates on bench](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hkw9xUSDQaQ/VIejJPy7hoI/AAAAAAABMP0/1msdc1T2P5A/ice-skates-on-bench.jpg?imgmax=800)
The door wreath is another $5 Black Friday buy. (Maybe I should call this my “Black Friday Porch!”)
![burlap-and-bell-wreath.jpg Burlap and bell wreath](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AY6Wf-eLiXM/VIejYwNHOhI/AAAAAAABMQs/07pMqeuym4s/burlap-and-bell-wreath.jpg?imgmax=800)
![burlap-tree-front-porch.jpg Burlap tree front porch](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vgB7JseC6qw/VIejUja_rLI/AAAAAAABMQc/GJTvuq2W0gg/burlap-tree-front-porch.jpg?imgmax=800)
I found this faux vintage sleigh bells last year on clearance at the craft store. I love that they jingle when the door opens and closes:
![vintage-sleigh-bells-on-wreath.jpg Vintage sleigh bells on wreath](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a6fQc4EclGo/VIejG2M7CjI/AAAAAAABMPs/3rT1UFMKTj8/vintage-sleigh-bells-on-wreath.jpg?imgmax=800)
I wish you all lived closer, so you could stop by for a visit! My front porch is ready for visitors!
![front-porch-with-bench.jpg Front porch with bench](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y5_ZSXhocbo/VIejLNLBGBI/AAAAAAABMP8/1-agSvTHB00/front-porch-with-bench.jpg?imgmax=800)