Guide on How to Decorate a Back Porch for the Christmas Holiday Season

Decorating your home for the holidays is a festive and beautiful way to entertain guest for Christmas. When we think of decorating for Christmas we mainly focus on the front yard or the living area of the home, but what about the back porch. You don't have to spend a lot of time and money decorating the back porch of your home for the Christmas Holiday Season.

Decorations of any kind are perfect for decorating your back porch for the Christmas holiday season. Recycle any old decorations that have since been replaced with updated items. There is no reason to throw them into a landfill when there is a perfectly good back porch to decorate for Christmas.

First, begin with a string of lights for the handrail; make sure they are long enough to go from one end to the other. Before you hang them get a length of garland, any type of garland is fine just so long as it flame retardant. Lights radiate heat and may cause a fire if you do not make sure the materials you use are 100% compatible. Be sure the lights are recommended for outdoor use.

Take the Garland and the string of lights. Intertwine them to mask the wire in between the lights. If you use metallic garland, the lights reflect off the mirror like finish making for a beautiful display. Creating this magical combination is not only beautiful, it is a bargain. For intertwined garland and light combinations purchased ready-made will cost you more than twice as much as making your own.

If you porch has an overhang ceiling, using a set of white ice cycles will brighten up the entire back porch and provide your guests with a safe and comfortable place to get some fresh air. Brighten up your outdoor furniture with a few plastic disposable Christmas Holiday tablecloths you can use twisty ties that come with most garbage or sandwich bags or zip ties.

Wreaths and small potted tabletop evergreen trees are available in most supermarkets and garden centers. Placing potted evergreens in the corners of the porch is very festive. Purchasing baby trees is great for the environment too. When the potted trees out grow their pots, you can transplant them to your yard in the spring and because they are evergreen trees you can leave them out on the back porch all winter.

Decorating the outside door of your back porch to resemble a gift wrapped package for the Christmas Holiday Season is the perfect way to brighten up the back entrance to your home.

You will need two plastic disposable tablecloths that are different in color. Using solid colors is best for doors because you can visualize the full effect of the decoration from near or far away. This lets your neighbors enjoy your decorations as well.

Begin by trimming the plastic disposable tablecloth to fit the entire door. Using removable double sided tape is the best way to hang your tablecloth without damaging the door. Use enough double sticky tape to adhere the tablecloth securely. Once you have the door covered you will need to cut the second table cloth into strips long enough to run the height of the door from top to bottom and a strip that will be placed horizontally from left to right both intersecting in the center of the door. This will resemble a lower case letter t creating a ribbon effect, just like on a Christmas gift.

Now your door is looking like a gift wrapped present for sure. The remainder of the tablecloth that you used for the ribbon on your door can be wrapped in long loops and tied together in the center, kind of like the way you would wind a long extension cord for storage, to create a bow for the center of your gift wrapped Christmas package door. Attach the bow with double sided tape and/or zip ties and twisty ties.

Top this entire look off with another string of garland and lights intertwined together and hang them around the outside of the door frame. Be sure that the lights are far enough away from the edges of the door that when you open and close the door they will not get caught up in the door or cause a safety hazard for foot traffic in and out of the home.

Always remember, safety first, be sure to avoid running extension cords where people can trip and fall. Be sure to purchase lights that are safe for outdoor use. Lights that are not specifically designed for outdoor lighting can short out and cause a fire. Be sure to read all the manufacturers instructions and warnings before using any electrical equipment or incorporating different types of decorations.

Note: Christmas Holiday lights, garland, plastic disposable tablecloths, double sticky tape and zip ties can be purchased in your local dollar store.

When you are finished decorating your back porch for the Christmas Holiday Season, sit back and enjoy your festive space with friends and family.

Happy Holidays.