If your to-do list is longer than Santa's and decorating your home has fallen to the bottom of that list, don't despair! We are here to provide you with tips on how to make your home magazine-worthy for the holidays. Here are 3 gorgeous looks that will have you sparkling & shining over the holidays. Just pick your favourite theme; classic, cool & contemporary or chic, and follow that theme throughout all your decor. From your wreath to your stockings to your tree decorations to your table settings, follow these simple guidelines and you can't miss!

Many of these decorations are available at your local

Canadian Tire

and

Indigo

, but to really stand out over the holidays, you need those special & unique pieces, which are often found at small boutiques and local shops, such as

Simply Beautiful

Home Smith

Home & Away Interiors

and

Ecotique

, to name just a few. We encourage you to check them out and help support our local businesses. Happy Decorating!

I am terrible at doing yard work at this time of year. I almost always wait until spring to do it. I keep telling myself that I need to get outside, cut things back, rake the leaves and put the summer decor items away. This year, I'm trying to motivate myself with a mini front porch update after I've done the stuff I don't enjoy doing. The front of the house always looks so bare at this time of year. Gardens and pots are empty, Halloween decorations away, and it's too early for holiday decor.

I figure if I spend a few hours this weekend doing yard work I can justify spending a few hours shopping! I will admit, most of the sources below are online, but you could find many of these items at local decor stores and the big box retailers in the Stockyards.

This front porch update can take you right to the holiday season. Add some greens, jazz up your wreath with ribbons and you are ready to welcome all of your holiday guests in style. First impressions count, right?

Here are some ideas I have but can't decide which way I should go. I'm leaning towards the first option, funny how it mimics my wardrobe i.e. it's mostly black!

1. Black mailbox 2. .House numbers 3. Front door mat 4. Straw wreath

Another look I like a lot is adding some pops of colour. I really love this modern look on an older home. The contrast is really appealing to me.

1. Silver house numbers 2. Modern Mailbox 3. Fun doormat 4. Planter

The final look that I put together is everywhere right now. From table settings to living room decor this look is having a moment. If you want to feel like you are escaping the city, this might be the one for you.

1.House Numbers DIY 2.Mailbox 3. Door Mat 4. Wreath

Assuming I get the yard work done, I'm really excited about updating the front porch. It's easy to add a bit of extra curb appeal and won't break the bank! Happy fall clean up!

Holiday Decor - 3 Different Ways to Sparkle & Shine Over the Holidays!

Holiday ready front porch update!