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I'm happy to be linking to:
Vignettes of Christmas Cheer
Southern in My Heart
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Christmas Front Porch Party

I finally finished the front porch a couple of days ago & took a bunch of pictures.  My front entry is very casual, not anywhere close to the "grandness" of some of yours;  but it's what I have to work with, and I want it to be inviting.  I was barely started at this point.

My "big" project for out here was creating a tree.  I really thought it would be cheaper to make one than to buy one of those pre-lit, potted ones.  I was a tad bit wrong in my calculations, but didn't realize it until I was way too invested in the whole production.  First, I bought a tomato cage & The Man attached it to a wooden base (he even painted it green) & secured the prongs.  I had planned that it would take three 9ft. swags to cover it & a 50 lite string, all of which I had.  The 3 swags covered about a quarter of the frame.

Here I'm trying to show the base.

Off to Michael's & purchased 4 more swags.  Good thing they were on sale for $1.99.  I continued the wrapping process, but "OH NO" I still need more!  Back to Michael's!  Long story short, it took 12 swags, plus a trip to Lowe's for additional lights.  I may never want to remove this from the front porch!
I decided the base needed something, so I wrapped some burlap around it & tied it with twine.

Left the tree branches in the corner (leftover from my fall display) & added the little nest from GW.   Used one of the little glittery bird picks for fun. I like this twig wreath (again, left over from fall) but added some dark twine to it.

Have had this wall hanging for several years.  Bought it at a Christmas Silent Auction.

This is one of my GW wreaths ($2.99) which just needed a small string of lights (already had), & some glittery picks (on sale from Michael's).  Have had the lighted candy cane for several years.

This lawn ornament is pretty cheesy, but it kind of hides some of the electrical cords.  Got this & the rattan snowman at Big Lots several years ago.  I'm not liking this little skirted table very much, so it may be going bye-bye.

Amazing how much better things look at night.  You can't see cords, & even tacky things take on a warmth & appeal.

I wasn't wanting to cook this big pumpkin leftover from my fall display, but didn't want to just throw it in the garbage either.  Somewhere in blogland, I saw this idea for painting pumpkins in Christmas colors & giving them a second life.  The Man painted it for me.  I may write or stencil on it, but still thinking about that.  The little wooden Santa is another one of my GW purchases ($2.99 I believe).

Thanks to Marty, at  A Stroll Thru Life, for the idea of using a flat-sided basket for the front door instead of the traditional wreath.  I had already purchased this basket at GW ($1.99?) & it was perfect for what I wanted to do.  Some of the florals are new (Michael's, on sale), but most are from my stash.  I also already had the cluster of bells.  I really like this as an alternative to another wreath.

Here's one more look at what you see just as you start up our walkway.

Hope you enjoyed your visit and please come again soon.