Tall estate entrance with columns wrapped in fresh Christmas garland (example image)

The Celebration Collective · Journal

Christmas Porch Ideas for a Two-Story or Tall Entry (2026)

By The Celebration Collective, Rocklin, CA

✓ No need to be home · ✓ Gated communities welcome · ✓ Delivery, setup & styling included · ✓ Free delivery within 15 mi of Rocklin · ✓ Reserve with 25%

Tall entries are everywhere in Granite Bay, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Whitney Ranch and the newer parts of Roseville: two-story foyers with a window above the door, 8-foot doors, tall columns and long front staircases. They look stunning dressed for Christmas, but a standard wreath on a door that tall can look like a postage stamp. Here’s how to decorate a tall or two-story entry so it reads from the street, and what each look costs if you’d rather have it done for you.

Everything below uses fresh greenery: real cut wreaths, garland and live plants. Our porches don’t include lights.

The short version

Scale up: a tall door needs garland around the full frame and a wreath that matches the door’s width.
Add height at the sides with tall urns or live mini trees so the door isn’t the only thing decorated.
Use columns and railings: they are the easiest way to fill a two-story entry.
Don’t try to decorate all the way up to a second-story window. Dress the area people see at eye level and from the street.

1. Frame the whole door, not just the top

On a tall entry, garland that only swags across the top leaves a lot of bare door. Run fresh garland up both sides and across the top so the whole opening is framed. A quick way to estimate: add the door’s height twice plus its width. A standard 80″ door takes about 16 ft, an 8 ft door about 19 ft, and a door with sidelights takes more. Every one of our packages includes 18-20 ft of fresh garland around the door, and an extra 10 ft is $125 when the frame is wider.

2. Size the wreath to the door’s width

A taller door doesn’t always need a bigger wreath. Size the wreath to the door’s width (about two-thirds of it), then let the garland handle the height. A tall, plain door can carry a larger wreath, and double doors look best with a matching pair. Our front door wreath size guide has a chart and tips on how high to hang it, so it still looks right from the driveway.

3. Add height on each side of the door

A pair of tall urns filled with fresh greens, cut branches and velvet bows brings the decor up toward the middle of the door, so the entry looks balanced instead of decorated only at the top and bottom. That’s our Welcome Porch package ($599, most popular). For even more height, live mini trees on either side of the door work beautifully; Merry & Bright ($899) adds two live mini trees, poinsettias and a second wreath or swag.

4. Wrap or swag the columns

Columns are a gift on a two-story entry. Fresh garland wrapped or draped on a pair of columns carries the look up and out, and makes the whole front of the house feel festive from the street. Columns and long railings are what our Grand Celebration package ($1,299+) is built for: it adds 20-30 ft of fresh staircase or railing garland plus larger trees and urns.

5. Dress the staircase or front steps

Many tall entries sit at the top of a run of steps. Garland along the railing and potted greenery or poinsettias on the steps lead the eye up to the door. If there’s no railing, a pair of mini trees or planters at the bottom step and another at the top does the same job.

6. Leave the second-story window alone

It’s tempting to hang something on the window above the door, but it’s hard to reach safely, hard to secure in wind, and usually unnecessary. A fully framed door, tall urns and dressed columns already fill the entry at the height people actually see. Keep the window clean and let the decorated entry below it do the work.

7. Secure everything for wind and rain

Tall entries catch more wind, especially in the foothills and on open new-build streets. Wreaths should be secured at the bottom as well as the top, garland tied off at several points, and tall urns weighted so they stay put. We use non-damaging hangers and ties, with no nails or screws. Our post on professional wreath and garland installation explains how we anchor everything, and if you’re in an HOA, see Christmas porch decorating in HOA and gated communities.

Keeping fresh greenery looking good

Many tall entries are covered, which helps: fresh greenery lasts longest in shade, out of direct sun and dry wind. A sunny, south- or west-facing two-story entry dries greenery faster. Our fresh greenery care guide has simple tips for sun, wind and frost.

What it costs

Packages are Joyful Door $349, Welcome Porch $599 (most popular), Merry & Bright $899 and Grand Celebration $1,299+. Most two-story entries land on Merry & Bright or Grand Celebration. Unusually tall doors, several doors, long railings or very large entries get a custom Christmas quote. Popular add-ons for tall entries are an extra 10 ft of fresh garland ($125), an extra wreath ($95), an urn pair ($199) and a live mini tree ($99). For details, read how much Christmas porch decorating costs or which package fits your home.

We install from November 15 to December 20, with 4 PM or 6 PM arrival windows, and you don’t need to be home (see how we decorate while you’re out). Delivery is free within 15 miles of Rocklin and $25 from 15 to 30 miles; we confirm your fee at booking. Optional removal after the season is $125, or $150 for Merry & Bright and Grand Celebration.

Text a straight-on photo of your entry to (916) 289-2538 and we’ll recommend a package, or pick your install date. Want to surprise someone? See Christmas porch decorating as a gift, or browse Christmas porch ideas by city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size wreath do I need for a tall front door?

Size the wreath to the door’s width, about two-thirds of it, and let garland around the full frame handle the height. A plain tall door can carry a slightly larger wreath, and double doors look best with a matching pair.

How much garland does a tall or two-story entry need?

Add the door’s height twice plus its width. An 8 ft door takes about 19 ft around the frame, and sidelights, columns or railings add more. Our packages include 18-20 ft around the door, extra garland is $125 per 10 ft, and Grand Celebration adds 20-30 ft of staircase or railing garland.

Which package is best for a two-story entry?

Most two-story entries fit Merry & Bright ($899) or Grand Celebration ($1,299+). Grand Celebration is built for tall columns, long staircases and railings. Very large entries get a custom quote.

Do you decorate up to the second-story window?

We focus on the door, columns, steps and railings, where decor is seen and can be secured well. The window above the door is usually best left clean.

Do you install Christmas lights?

No. Our porches use fresh greenery, ribbon and planter arrangements, and no lights are included.

When are Christmas installs, and can you take it down?

Installs run November 15 to December 20 with 4 PM or 6 PM arrival windows, and you do not need to be home. Optional removal is $125, or $150 for Merry & Bright and Grand Celebration.

Have double front doors? See our Christmas porch ideas for a double door entry.

Have a low craftsman or bungalow porch instead? See our Christmas porch ideas for craftsman and bungalow homes.