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Can you spot the differences?

The top picture is how my front porch looks today and the bottom, how it was styled for Christmas.

I love creating welcoming, seasonal “displays” but didn’t want to be That Neighbor who keeps their Christmas decorations up all year so I removed all obvious Christmas references and kept the rest.  I’d like to think it’s “Rustic Ski-Lodge Cabin Glam” which is a fancy name for stuff I had in my garage that my kids won’t use to play in the snow.

You too, can create this look.  I bet in your garage you have an old sled, skates, or maybe even skiis.  The best would be snow shoes.  I found a pair at a local antique store, the Apple Wagon Antique Mall, but they were $200! Yikes.  So I guess if you find snow shoes in your garage, you should hug them.  They are valuable.

If you don’t have room for a bench like I have, you can still add some winter welcome to your front door.  I asked my neighbor if I could style her door to show you some examples.  Again, I am using items that most of you already have — who wants to spend money when we’re all saving up to buy snow shoes?

I used a wicker basket, some firewood and my sled for Look #1.  I also used a plaid scarf I have to add some warmth (in case the sled gets cold!) and some texture.  If you don’t have a plaid scarf, a big, woolly scarf would look amazing too.  If you don’t have a stack of firewood in your backyard, my local hardware store sells wood by the bundle and it’s really reasonable. Plus, you could burn it in the summer for a campfire!

For Look #2, I removed the sled, but kept the basket, the wood, and the scarf and added a lantern.  I love this look too! If you don’t have a lantern, placing a candle in a mason jar would work too. Both of these would look even better with a wreath on the door, but I wanted to show you how easy it is to style a winter “look” with everyday items.

I hope this weekend you give it a try.  If you do, be sure to send me a picture.  I’d love to see it! And if you find snow shoes…well, feel free to brag! I will be jealous.

*Thanks to my neighbor for sharing her beautiful blue front door.  I know you’re dying to know — it’s Sherwin Williams Royal.  Also, isn’t her rug awesome?