Christmas Wreath making night

Christmas Wreaths were originally a centerpiece at a table. The wreaths were typically decorated with four candles, three on the exterior, and one in the middle. The middle candle was lit on Christmas Eve to symbolize the arrival of the Light of the World - Jesus Christ.The circular shape, with no beginning or end, represents eternity or life never ending.

Sure, you can go buy a wreath at Trader Joes and call it a day...BUT no, this season is all about tradition.  I make my wreaths and stick the noble fir branches all over the house because I love the smell (I'll do another post with ideas of what else to do with the extra branches) When we go get our tree, we always get extra tree branches to make a wreath or a swag for the door. When we lived in Florida there weren't any "you cut" tree farms around, and the trees at the stands are crazy amounts of cash.  And so, we got our trees at the Home Depot or Costco.  I always asked them if I can keep the branches they cut off and they would allow me to empty the trimming bins from other customers.  No need to buy these things, just go take the trimmed pieces and make your own wreaths and such. 

I had my sisters over this year in the wreath making process. Always more fun with wine and my sisters.

 What you need: ( and do try to get to Michael's - their Christmas inventory is all 50% off like right after Thanksgiving and continues to be marked down as we approach Christmas day.  Then it's all like 80% off and I just stock up! )

• flower wire or any thin wire - in the floral department at Michael's
• wreath ring - its a couple bucks at Michael's in the floral department  
• a bunch of tree branches or pieces
•  just stuff... like flowers, ribbons, bells, I mean - what ever you want to put on the wreath.
• and a girlfriend or just do a wreath making party( on my "to do" next year for sure)

First thing - cut the branches down to size, my sister in the green shirt (Oksana) had pieces that are about 5", mine were more like 8-10", and my little sister's (Natasha's) were about 4". Start with 10-20 branches, working one at a time around the floral ring.  Oksana weaved her pieces first then went back and secured everything with wire.  I secured my pieces as I went.  Natasha didn't use a floral ring, she just secured pieces as she went with the floral wire.

Happy Wreath Making!!! and Merry Christmas !