Christmas Decorating 10: The Wreath

Christmas Decorating 101: The Wreath

Did you know that the wreath stemmed from the tree? Yes, the iconic Christmas tree is responsible for why we have a wreath as holiday décor. During the 16th century when northern and eastern Europeans started the Christmas tree tradition, they had to prep and prune trees by cutting off limbs and excess branches and foliage to make the triangular evergreen shape look more uniform. The excess pieces of greenery, instead of being thrown away, were then used to create extra decors for the tree in the form of wreaths. The circular wheel-like shape was thought of primarily for convenience’s sake and not for the symbolism we know today. It was simpler to hang a round ornament onto the branches of the tree.

Now, we see the wreath as a symbol of divine perfection, of eternal life and the Savior’s unending love for us. Hanging a wreath on one’s door at Christmas is an invitation for the spirit of Christ to come into our homes.

Have you hung your wreath yet? You still have enough time to decorate your home for the season. To help you get started, here are some holiday wreath inspirations.

Go Green

Stick to tradition and do it the old fashioned way. Use a basic green wreath (think spruce, holly, ivy, pine box) and simply dress it up with a variety of even more greenery like fresh eucalyptus and thistle. For a bit of color variation, add silvery or bronze foliage.

You can also use fresh sage in making a wreath. Use a Styrofoam as base and floral pins to attach the herb onto it.

To liven up a basic green wreath, you can add Christmas bells, white berries, extra large pinecones, and of course ribbons.

Go White

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Snow isn’t a guarantee but when it comes to holiday decorating, you can always use a dreamy white aesthetic to enjoy a wonderful white Christmas. Secure yourself an artificial wreath with wintery charm. Consider snow-dusted foliage and white twig wreaths. Just adorn these with white decorative elements like iced berries, white blooms, and snow powdered pinecones.

Get craftier and create a DIY wreath using glued white snowflake ornaments. Form them into a wreath then light it up with fairy lights.

Go Earthy

You can go rustic this year and hang an earthy and whimsical wreath. You can use a basic grapevine wreath and decorate it with dried blooms plus battery-operated fairy lights. The good ol’ burlap is your best bet for a chic country bow. Feel free to use twigs or wild vines, too. Adorn them with a red poinsettia, some pinecones, a wooden tag, and a candy cane-colored twine and you’re ready to welcome your guests.  

Go Citrusy

Decorate a basic magnolia wreath with traditional Yuletide fruits – oranges and clementines. You can use both fresh or dried oranges in creating a holiday botanical décor.

Cut oranges into 1/8-inch thick slices then bake them for about three hours or pop them in the air fryer. Simply string two to three dried slices together using twine and use them to adorn a basic green wreath. For texture, add dried floral bits like berries, seeded eucalyptus, and magnolia leaves.