Inspiration for Creating a Simple Advent Wreath

Do you make an Advent Wreath?

This Sunday is the first day of Advent. To celebrate, we will start decorating the Christmas tree, bake cookies, and light the first candle on our Advent wreath. The Christmas season is slowly starting.

my advent wreath this year, iron stone compote

The tradition of the Advent Wreath

In 1839 a German theologian named Gohann Hinrich Wichern used the Advent wreath as part of his missionary work. Advent is a Latin word meaning ” the coming.” It was established as a time for Christians to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, and is celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas. The wreath and candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world.

Make an Advent Wreath to fit your style

Today most churches have an Advent wreath, decorated with pink, purple, or white candles and ribbon. They are symbols to keep Christmas focused on Jesus. If purple isn’t your style, make it your own, just don’t lose your focus.

Here are a few Advent wreaths from Christmases past to give you ideas.

making an Advent Wreath using vintage bowl, tallowberries and pinecones — *December 2019 – Old wood bowl with tallow berries, pinecones, eucalyptus, and juniper*

making an Advent Wreath using succulents — *December 2018 – Ironstone bowl, live succulents (I added a little pea gravel at the bottom for drainage.) Seeded eucalyptus, a few pinecones, and vintage ornaments on a bed of pine clippings.*

Show off your treasured pieces. Looking back over the years, I seem to gravitate towards my favorite things when creating a wreath.

making an Advent Wreath using Ironstone on vintage cake stand — December 2015 – Ironstone cups on a vintage cake stand with tallow berries, dried hydrangeas and juniper. That year I was so inspired by Miss Mustard Seeds Advent wreath with hers in blue transferware teacups. My heart still beats a little faster when I see that one!

Look at other bloggers and pinterest for inspiration!

Making an Advent Wreath with Ironstone Server and Christmas Tree Clippings — *December 2014 – I remember this was a busy year. Four votive candles tucked in an Ironstone serving dish with clippings from our Christmas tree. Simple and pretty!*

Use items found in your home. It can be as simple as a favorite bowl or dish with cut greens arranged around the base of the candles.

Making an Advent Wreath with a vintage cake stand and moss covered wreath — *December 2013 – Moss covered wreath form on an antique cake stand with vintage candle clips and silk ribbons*

Making your Advent Wreath this year

So you see, these days you can make an Advent wreath from many materials. Gather a few favorite pieces from your home, four candles, and take a walk in the woods, or through your garden and clip away! Once you start looking, you can find lots to work with. Here are just a few ideas:

Moss
Branches, Look for gray, white, or red branches. Branches with lichen growing on them is a favorite too! Anything unusual!
Pinecones – any size! Spray paint, or spray glue and add shimmery glitter, or leave them natural.
Holly
Cypress
Dried flowers and seed pods…hydrangeas, moneyplant, daylily seeds heads, are just a few that are still hanging around in my garden this time of the year.
Boxwood
Berries: privet, winterberry, tallowberry etc..
Juniper
Ivy and other types of vines: grape vine, honeysuckle vine, morning glory vine etc..
Lambs Ear
Eucalyptus
dried fruits…oranges, apples, cranberries
various pine clippings
and don’t forget to shop your home: vintage and handmade ornaments, beads, pretty jewelry, ribbons, twine, lace, gauze and other fabric

This year, I am using an ironstone compote with the lid tucked inside and upside down for the candles.

my advent wreath 2020 ironstone and red berries

With little pea gravel from the garden to keep the candles steady.

my advent wreath 2020 with redwork and ironstone

I also added touches of red for the first time! Digging through boxes of textiles for this antique redwork I knew was somewhere! See how easy it evolves? Before you know it, you’re done!

Celebrate Advent!

Create your own tradition of making an Advent wreath. Then on the 4 Sundays before Christmas, light a candle, read from the bible, sing Christmas carols, and celebrate!