Christmas is approaching fast and you've probably already decorated your Christmas tree with a thousand lights. Traditional decorations adorn your home, and all that's left is to patiently wait for the 25th of December, the long-awaited day of Christmas, to give and unwrap presents. You might even have children at home constantly asking (if not pestering) you: "When is Christmas?". What if, to mark the passing time, we made an Advent wreath? To be made alone or with family, it can be embellished with natural decorations, like shimmering-coloured rose hips or beautiful pine cones.

Follow our step-by-step tutorial to easily make a natural Advent wreath.

make an advent wreath

1- The Advent wreath: between history and tradition

Historically, it's difficult to trace the origin of the Advent wreath. While some historians attribute it to a Christian tradition dating back to the 16th century, others believe it to be much more recent, around the 19th century. Some sources even think it could be inspired by much older pagan and Nordic traditions linked to the winter solstice, later adapted to Christianity. Be that as it may, today, it symbolises the wait for the 25th of December. Thus, one candle is lit in turn on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day.

2- When to light the candles?

Take your calendar. Starting from the 25th of December, count back 4 Sundays. This will give you the date of the first Sunday to light your first candle. This Sunday can even be at the end of November depending on the current annual calendar. On the second Sunday, you'll light the first candle again, as well as the second. On the third Sunday, the first two candles are lit, then the third. On the fourth and last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit together.

Tip: Remember not to leave your first candles burning for too long on the first Sundays, so you can still enjoy them on the fourth Sunday. Unless you replace them as you go along.

1- What do I need?

  • A straw wreath. You can also make a wreath with flexible bush branches (dogwood, willow, wisteria, hazel, vine stems...);
  • Natural berries: Rose hips, Cotoneaster lacteus, crab apples or holly;
  • Other natural decorations: pine cones, cinnamon sticks, star anise, dried hydrangea flowers, etc;
  • Floral wire or fine green or natural-coloured string;
  • A pair of scissors;
  • A pruner to trim branches and harvest berries;
  • A glue gun or candle holders to stick;
  • Four candles.

2- How to make an Advent wreath?

  • Use a ready-made straw wreath. You can also make one yourself by forming a circle with flexible materials, like hazel or willow branches, then secure the whole thing by crossing the branches or with natural string.
  • Then attach the four candles. The easiest way is to stick metal candle holders into the wreath. Otherwise, you can also glue them directly with a glue gun, but you'll need to be careful when the candles are nearing the end to prevent any fire risk. You can also glue small glass jars (like yoghurt pots).

make an advent wreath

  • Cover the wreath with fir, holly branches, or, as here, green moss. Secure them by wrapping fine string as you go.

make an advent wreath

  • Now it's time to attach your natural decorations! Alternate pine cones and other berries on your wreath, securing them either with wire or a glue gun.

make an advent wreath

  • Tip: You can tuck berry stems under other decorations, then secure everything with dark-coloured string, preferably black or green.
  • Place your wreath in the centre of the table or on a piece of furniture. Light one candle in turn on each of the four Sundays before Christmas Day.

3- Tips and advice

  • Never leave your candles burning unattended to avoid any fire risk. Extinguish candles as soon as you leave the room.
  • If you want to make your own wreath, you can use various branches from garden bushes: Thuja, Juniper, Yew, Boxwood, Eucalyptus, Willow, Hazel or even the beautiful red stems of Common Dogwood.
  • Still in red tones, the highlight colour of year-end festivities, you'll find plenty of small berries in the garden or on walks this season: Rose hips, Cotoneaster, crab apples, etc.
  • You can also make natural decorations with cinnamon sticks, star anise, dried orange slices and much more. Let your creativity flow!

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