Today we tend to see wreaths hanging on front doors for the celebration of a particular holiday or season. However, in years past they were used to adorn or celebrate a person; a wreath of laurel was placed upon the head of a winner or leader. Gold leaves were twisted into diadems, which is a type of crown, and even today brides will wear flowers as wreaths or crowns on their wedding day. Harvest wreaths are a custom with roots in old Europe and are made using plants from the harvest such as wheat. These wreaths are taken to the local priest and blessed, which is a ritual that began in pre-Christian times.
Most wreaths you see during the Christmas holidays are made from greenery such as evergreen boughs and pine branches. But this year we’re going to take wreaths in a different direction and use some materials you may not always think of for a holiday wreath.
The Picture Frame Wreath
That lovely vintage frame doesn’t have to contain a picture – turn it into a wreath! Paint your frame any color you like, attach ribbons, bows, Christmas ornaments, small toys, even plants,
and make it your own. This is an idea that can be easily changed out depending on the season – pink frame with hearts for Valentine’s Day, powder blue with plastic eggs for Easter, you get the drift!
Pinecone Wreath
If you want to make it really inexpensive and have a pine tree in your yard, this is the wreath for you! Grab a wire hanger and shape it into a circle (or whatever shape you want), then grab your glue gun and go to town.
Ornament Wreath
Same as the pinecone wreath but using ornaments instead. You can make this one as large or as small as you please, and also any theme you please. Your wreath can be all Christmas ornaments, all small red bells (as pictured), candy canes, etc. A wreath with all toys would be great for a kid’s room!
Neutral / Natural Wreath
Grab a foam form from your local craft store and give it the natural touch by attaching bows made from burlap, or twist twine around it and attach felt or fabric ‘flowers’, or ornaments (check out this tutorial).
The Anything Goes Wreath
Got a round form and some hot glue? How about a random box of stuff? If you think about it, you can turn just about anything into a wreath. If you’re a tech person and have a random box of old computer parts, grab that glue gun! I have a large assortment of coat pins I inherited from my Mother that I’m going to take a glue gun to. Old costume jewelry would work great as well. Cinnamon sticks would smell wonderful! Corn husks can be twisted into shapes and glued on.
I’m serious about the coat pins. I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with them ever since they came into my possession, and I know they would look beautiful as some kind of artwork. As with everything in life, the only limit is our imagination (and in this case, lack of a glue gun!).
Comments