Christmas Wreaths

Long before the introduction of central heating and other luxuries of the 21st century, people required greater faith that they would safely survive the harsh upcoming winter.  One such symbolic display of this hope was the beautiful Christmas wreath.  Now creeping back in fashion and available in a number of guises, they can be found hanging on doorways, both inside and out, as a centrepiece on a table, and even hung on walls as decorations.

Although we may have lost the traditional reasoning behind displaying such garlands, I’m on a mission to bring them back … in whatever style suits your home.

The word ‘wreath’ is linked to the word ‘wrist’, both words describing the form of a continuous circular shape.  Fuse this with ‘wrethe’ from middle English (meaning a twisted band or ring of leaves) and you have the wreath as we know it today.

The circular shape is symbolic of eternity, or everlasting life because it has no beginning or end.  In ancient Rome the symbol became a popular display of victory.  From a Christian perspective it represents the unending circle of life, with the traditional Holly as the thorns on Jesus’ crown and the red berries as his blood.

At this bleak time of year, it’s wonderful to use evergreens and other brightly coloured flowers, foliage, or fruits to adorn your wreath.  The addition of expensive and rare fruits such as pomegranates, indicated wealth, but wreaths also included the display of pinecones, seashells and even imported products.  Once the decorations had been taken down, the edible decorations would be eaten and the bounty of summer enjoyed in the depth of winter.

Making your own wreath is fun and easy, and can vary from a simple and cheap evergreen circle to an elaborate bauble ring.  For those who like a quick and easy option, simply buy a circle of oasis and soak it in tepid water, before sticking in sprigs of evergreen foliage from the garden, flowers, berries, dried fruits, nuts, and bows.

If you have more time why not make your own base by taking a ring of string wire and covering it in moss or hay, holding it in place using thinner gauge wire, then wiring in the foliage and decorations.  Be aware though that holly wreaths are tricky and gloves should be worn!

The Americans seem to be leading the way in the contemporary wreath, so why not try something a little different this year such as a circle of pine cones, dried leaves, dried sweetcorn cobs, pussy willow or even a ring of astroturf!

Merry Christmas.