Christmas Wreaths
Christmas wreaths are among the most popular of Christmas decorations, and the easiest to set up. A simple nail in the wall or door will do the trick, though special wreath hangers or picture hangers are usually more desired (and less permanent) since a Christmas wreath is very seasonal.
There are wreaths out there to suit anyone’s taste, and if you can’t find what you want, it’s easy enough to make your own wreath, or buy a plain one and decorate it yourself. Many people even redecorate their Christmas wreaths to suit other holidays, such as Easter or Halloween, and I’ve often seen patriotic 4th of July wreaths. This is no different than redecorating your tree for different holidays, except that it’s cheaper, faster, and takes up far less room!
Artificial Christmas Wreaths
Artificial Christmas wreaths are popular for many reasons. Naturally (or unnaturally, in this case) one of the main attractions of a fake wreath is its durability. Natural wreaths lose their needles, usually all over your floor or porch, sometimes within weeks. They can’t be used season after season and year after year like their plastic or silk cousins, and it’s generally much more difficult to find an attractive, decorated live wreath than it is a decorated artificial wreath.
Of course, a fresh wreath can be simply thrown away at the end of the season, where as an artificial wreath should be carefully stored, and styles do go out of fashion so you’ll still end up replacing your wreath after a few years.
Fresh Christmas Wreaths (also live Christmas wreaths)
Fresh Christmas wreaths have one strong attraction that faux wreaths do not- fresh wreaths are fresh. Yes, obvious, I know, but nothing beats the smell of fresh conifers in the winter. There are other kinds of natural wreaths, of course, such as ivy wreaths or holly wreaths, and they’re very attractive too. But the smell of a fresh cut pine wreath can fill the room and truly bring the season’s joys into your home. Live Christmas wreaths certainly don’t last all that long, but they generally will last from after Thanksgiving until after New Year’s, which is, of course, the Christmas Season.
Christmas Wreath History
There are many stories about Christmas wreath history, but like many traditions, the history of Christmas wreaths is shrouded in the mist of time. Likely one or two separate traditions morphed and merged and over time became simple decorations as we use today. It is known that ancient Celts as well as many other ancient peoples considered the evergreen a symbol of life and used them as decorations to remind themselves that spring would come again. There are some traditions that placed the evergreen at windows and doorways to block evil spirits from entering. The Romans used laurel wreaths as symbols of victory. All of these suit our current traditions, and what we now do probably reflects back to those times.
How To Make A Christmas Wreath
Making a Christmas wreath is fairly simple, but there are many ways to do it. A wreath is basically a circle (though you can, of course, make heart shaped wreaths, wreaths shaped like a star, and other such things if you have the right frame and skills), and you can easily tie branches together where the tips of the branches will cover over the ties. Craft shops sell wreath frames. If you attach the branches correctly, those frames can be reused year after year. Plant wire (the green, heavy kind that florists use) can be used to weave the branches together yet leave the wreath fairly flexible while still giving it form.
Of course, you could always just buy a plain wreath and decorate it.
Do you have any suggestions for anyone who is searching to buy or make a Christmas wreath?