Christmas Front Door With Wreath and Lanterns

About this drawing

A Christmas front door is the first thing guests see, so many families decorate it with as much care as the tree. The entrance becomes a kind of greeting that says come on in, we're celebrating.

Hanging greenery by the door in winter is an old custom. Branches of fir, holly and ivy were placed over doors and windows because they stayed green in the darkest season, and people saw them as signs of life and good luck.

Lanterns and candles add another idea: light to guide whoever is coming home. Many households kept a light burning at the door to welcome family and travelers on long December nights. Porch lights and string lights do the same job today, though candle lanterns remain a favorite touch.

Lately, the cozy trend has taken front porches even further, with plaid blankets, doormats, planters and small evergreens by the steps. The goal is a home that feels warm from the outside, even when everything is buried in snow. Some families even hold friendly contests with neighbors to see whose entrance looks the most festive, turning the whole street into a little holiday display.

• christmas door
• christmas
• holiday decor
• cozy