Supplies
Materials
needed for: Base:
Spaghnum
moss wreath form orOasis florist foam in wreath form or
Vine wreath form or
Styrofoam, straw, or other type of wreath form or
Wire Frame or
Ready-made Christmas wreath Candleholders:
florist candleholders or
large nails or spikes or
wire or
other materials of your choice Greens
Live evergreens of your choice or
permanent or artificial greens Candles
3 purple and 1 pink taper or pillar candles, depending on wreath or
4 white candles Ribbons and decoration
Purple ribbon
pine cones, seed pods, red berries, etc.
Prep Time: 2 hours
The Advent
wreath is an old German tradition that has gained much popularity in the last
few years. Most Christian homes and communities practice this custom during the
Advent season. This sacramental is rich in meaning, is easy to implement and
can either be simple, costing little, or very elaborate, costing more, handmade
or storebought, with fresh greenery, or permanent greens.
The Advent
wreath is a wreath, or circle, of evergreens, made in various sizes. It is
either suspended from the ceiling by ribbons (preferably purple) or placed on a
table. The devotion is usually incorporated during the family meal, or during
family night prayers. Fastened to the wreath are four candles standing upright,
at equal distances. These candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Three of
the candles are purple, reminding us of the penitential nature of the season. A
rose or pink candle is lit for the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as
Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday. The name is taken from the entrance antiphon or
Introit "Rejoice (gaudete) in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice."
It is reminding us that the end of Advent is almost here, and we can hardly
contain our joy.
The wreath
should be in a circle, a symbol of eternity, and a reminder that God has no
beginning nor end. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life and a reminder
that God is immutable or unchangeable.
The
appearance of the actual Advent wreath is varied—everyone has their own
interpretation of the Advent wreath. The look of your family's wreath depends
on how much time and creativity you have to devote. Your family can create
their own special wreath, or add personal touches to a store-bought wreath.
With this devotion being so popular, one can go into any craft or garden store
and buy a wreath. Any religious goods store carries several varieties, and the
prices range from inexpensive to very costly.
Some
families want to create a new wreath every year, with everyone involved in the
activity. Using evergreens, however, does add the risk of fire hazard,
especially as the greens go dry. For less risk, or with smaller children or
tight schedules, you may want to consider making a permanent wreath that you
can reuse every Advent.
DIRECTIONS
There are
five elements to the wreath: 1) Base, 2) candleholders, 3) greens, 4) candles
and 5) ribbons and decoration. Your wreath can either be live or permanent.
Below are several different ideas for each element, so you can create a wreath
of your own.
1. The Base:
a)
Spaghnum moss wreath form The form needs to be pre-soaked and full of moisture
for the evergreen. This should be done overnight, excess water allowed to drip
off. This pre-soaked form then needs to be wrapped with green florist wreath
wrap.
b) Oasis
or some type of wet florist's foam shaped into a wreath form This foam usually
comes in blocks, and you must find some round waterproof container to cut and
shape your form in. If you do some searching, there are Oasis wreath forms
available.
c) Vine
Wreath form You can put attach live or artificial greens to a vine wreath. The
vine wreath can either be purchased, or handmade using vines from wisteria,
grape arbor, cane or willow. Presoak or moisturize the vine ahead of time,
because the vine must be pliable to be able to curl into a wreath.
d) Styrofoam,
straw, or some other type of wreath form At any craft store you can find a
variety of wreath forms available in different materials. Styrofoam is the most
readily available and the least expensive. There are also straw forms, either
wrapped in plastic or wire bound to keep the straw from falling out. Any of
these forms do not provide any moisture for the live evergreens. Unless you are
using permanent greens, expect to either change the greens every so often, or
have a very dead wreath by Christmas!
e) Wire
frame There are several types of
ready-made wreath wire-forms you can purchase, or you could form your own out
of strong wire, or even coat hangers. You could also purchase an actual Advent
wreath form, consisting of a simple ring and candleholders.
f)
Ready-made Christmas Wreath You can purchase a ready-made Christmas wreath,
either artificial or live. Usually the purpose of these wreaths is to hang on
doors, so if you are suspending your wreath, make sure the underside is as
attractive as the top.
2. Candleholders
a) Florist
Candleholders. These are
usually inexpensive plastic green holders, available at any craft or garden
store or florist shop. If using foam or moss type form, these can be inserted
directly into the form. Otherwise, these need to be securely fastened to the
wreath with florist wire or hot glue.
b)
Spikes For the moss or foam forms, large
nails or spikes can be inserted on the underside of the wreath so that the
pointed side comes through the top, high enough to put your candles. The spike
cannot be too wide, otherwise it will split and break your candle. If you use a
large pillar candle, this option would be ideal.
c) Wire
Use heavy florist wire and twist around the bottom of the candles (about 2
inches), then fasten the ends to the form. This has to be very tight, with no
movement for the candle.
d) Other
ideas There are such a large variety of candles and candle holders available in
almost every store. There might be different types of attractive holders that
could be attached to a wreath form. Just make sure you get something that will
hold the candle and prevent the flame from coming too close to the evergreens.
3. Greens
a) Live
Evergreens For live evergreens, the choice is endless: yew, any type of pine,
cedar, fir, laurel, holly, boxwood, spruce, hemlock, balsam twigs, even
magnolia leaves can give an interesting look. Use what is available in your
area, what is easy to manage, and what appeals to you.
The way
your greens are cut depends on what type of form. If you just have a wire
frame, you need to have branches that you can wire together and attach by
florist wire onto the frame. If using forms, like foam, you can have small
twigs or leaves and attach them to florist pics and insert throughout, or if
the branches or leaves are sturdy enough, insert them without pics.
Check with
your local craft store to see if there is a spray or preparation you can add to
your leaves to make them non-flammable.
b)
Permanent or Artificial Greens There are a variety of types of artificial
greens. You can buy prepared florist "pics" and insert them into your
form. Or with smaller branches, attach each piece to the form with strong
florist wire.
Another
option to consider, especially with smaller frames, like wire, is to purchase
an artificial garland. Measure the garland around the form, and cut the garland
just a little longer than the ring. Attach the garland around the wreath form
with florist wire. Shape the branches around to hide the form.
4. Candles
With the
surging popularity of candles, this by far is the easiest item to find. Usually
the candles are tall taper candles, 3 purple or violet and 1 pink. These can be
found almost anywhere. If you plan on burning the candles everyday, it helps to
have a few extra to replace the first and second weeks of Advent candles as
they burn down.
If you
absolutely can't find these colors, use white or ivory candles and attach
ribbons (don't let the flames come to close) to the candles—three with purple
bows, one with a pink bow.
Most candles
are paraffin, which burn quickly and drip. If you can find them, beeswax
candles burn cleanly and smell wonderful. As you continue this tradition
through the years, just keep an eye out for bargains and sales on purple and
pink candles.
If you are
incorporating a different type of candleholder that can accommodate other sizes
of candles, look for pillar candles, or other shapes to use in the wreath.
5. Ribbons
and Decorations
Keep in
mind that although Advent is joyfully awaiting Christ's arrival, there still
should be some element of penance. The wreath should not be elaborately
decorated, to show the difference between the Advent Season and Christmas
season. Pine cones, seed pods, red berries can be added to the greens. You
could attach purple bows to the wreath, and suspend the wreath with Purple
ribbons. But besides these type of decorations, the wreath should be kept
simple to remind us of the penitential nature of Advent.
For the
Christmas season, the greens can be refreshed, the candles changed to white,
red or gold and the ribbons changed to joyful Christmas colors. Other options:
add some Christmas balls or other decorations inside the greens.
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM)
by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2013 by Jennifer Gregory Miller
No comments:
Post a Comment