5 Ways to Prep Your Porch for Winter Enjoyment

If you want to take gatherings outdoors this holiday season, look no further than your front porch. Simple seasonal additions and easy decorating tips can create a holiday hangout that'll have you and your guests sitting cozily and comfortably no matter what the season brings. It takes only some lights, cozy accessories and a few tasty treats to achieve holiday porch goals.

Light It Up

The first step in making your porch a place you can gather throughout the holiday season is to add some lights. And don’t just stop at string lights — the goal here is to turn off your porch lights and still have an ambient glow all around. Add mini lights to greenery and evergreens for a charming seasonal vibe, then layer in some lanterns and luminaries to light up a path.

Get Cozy

To create the ultimate cozy environment on your porch, start by stashing a few hats and mittens close by in a cute container (Image 1). A basket, Christmas-themed lunchbox or any other container that matches your porch’s aesthetic will do. Next, go all in with fuzzy pillows (Image 2). Not only are they the ultimate comfy, cozy accessory for your sofa or swing, but they also offer a visual that will make the season bright. To top off the cozy additions, don’t forget some faux fur throws to help you and your guests stay warm on chilly nights (Image 3).

Add a Fiery Focal Point

One thing many porches are missing is a fiery focal point. This can easily be remedied by partially filling a large cement planter with lava rocks, placing some canisters of fireplace gel fuel on top, then filling in the gaps with more lava rocks. Place the DIY fire bowl on a fireproof surface that's out of reach of kids and pets, like a tabletop, and bask in the warmth and ambiance. Note: Never leave a burning fire unattended.

Cozy Up With Hot Drinks

One surefire way to double down on the cozy this Christmas is to heat up some warm beverages and serve them on an outdoor bar cart. Coffee, apple cider and hot chocolate taste even better when served from vintage thermoses and are sure to stay hot for the entirety of the evening. To make things even more merry and bright, stock your bar cart with all the necessary holiday drink garnishes.

Make S’mores Seasonal

What's a fire without s’mores? Give this classic indulgence a seasonal shakeup with the addition of crispy wafer cookies, peppermint bark, chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate and chocolate-covered marshmallows (Image 1). Create easy mini marshmallow-roasting sticks with wooden skewers and see who can make the most delicious Christmas combo (Image 2).

If you follow these simple tips, your porch is sure to become the go-to cozy spot to spend the chilly winter season!