Wreaths
The tradition of wreath making can be traced back to
the ancient Persians who created circular headdresses
(diadems) meant to signify royalty or importance. Wreaths
made of laurels were awarded by the Greeks to their
Olympic champions and were hung on the walls of these
champions' homes to commemorate their superiority. Through
legends and myths of ancient times, the wreath has appeared
as a gesture of honor to heroes or as a token of remembrance
for lost loved ones.
In pre-Christian Germanic traditions, the making of
the wreath came from a ceremony where bonfires were
lit and encircled with evergreen branches, a tradition
which somehow signified hope for these dwellers of the
dark forests of Eastern Europe. This carried over into
Christian traditions where 5 candles were lit on a wreath
to signify hope, more specifically hope brought by Jesus
Christ.
We
have come to think of wreaths as Christmas decorations,
with evergreen, pinecones and red ribbons, but they
can be made for any occasion or with any materials.
Go beyond the holly and the ivy for some homemade holiday
decor that really stands out from the crowd!
 "What? Me make a wreath? Who am I, Martha Stewart?"
you're probably asking. Well, guess what – it's
not that hard and it will make your house feel a whole
lot more festive, especially if you make it with fragrant
natural materials.
With organic flowers, branches, herbs – or even
grapevines – you can make a wreath that signifies
what it is that you want to celebrate this year (sustainability!).
All it takes is a couple wire hangers and some twisty-ties,
like those ones you've been saving up in a drawer from
so many trips to the grocery store. Click here
for step-by-step instructions for making a wreath, then
add some your own creativity to make it uniquely yours
this holiday season.
Here are some fragrant and festive possibilities:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Tea bags filled with cloves,
tied with ribbon or twine
- Dried lavender
- Orange rinds (cut into flower
or leaf shapes)
- Interesting twigs and bark
(like aspen)
- Tiny pumpkins
- Your favorite organic dried
herbs
For a non-toxic holiday craft project, try using ties,
string, staples – whatever you can find that's
not a hot glue gun. A biodegradable wreath makes for
less post-holiday waste in the landfill. Incorporate
the natural elements of the season and whatever items
make you feel festive.
Did you know?
- It takes 108 sprigs to make
a Christmas wreath.
- The wreath is considered
to be a precursor to the crown, made from jewels rather
than leaves.
- Nevada 's state flag features
a wreath of sage brush.
Where to find organic wreaths
and wreath making events:
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