How to Make Your Own Advent Wreath

By Julie M. Young

The Advent Wreath is a Christmas tradition that found its start in Germany.  Households had evergreen wreaths with four candles that symbolized the birth of Jesus.  Now Advent Wreaths are commonplace in both homes and churches.  Find out more about the Advent Wreath tradition, and learn how you and your kids can make your own.   

The Components of the Advent Wreath

Typically, the wreath is made of a circle of greenery with three violet candles and one rose-colored candle.  The first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit.  The second Sunday, the first second purple candles are both lit.  On the third Sunday, the rose candle joins the two purple ones, and then on the fourth Sunday the final purple candle is lit, so that all of the candles are lit.  Often on Christmas day, a white candle is placed in the center to commemorate the holiday.  The family says prayers or has a short Bible reading after each candle is lit.

In some communities blue candles are used in place of the purple, and some use white for all four candles.

The Meaning of the Wreath and Candles

As with any religious tradition, Advent Wreaths are symbolic in nature. The wreaths are circular, symbolizing the never-ending love of God.  Evergreens are frequently used because the color green represents new life.  Each candle also has a symbolic meaning, in addition to their use as a marker of time.

• Week 1
  Violet Candle: Hope
  

• Week 2
  Violet Candle: Love
  

• Week 3
  Rose Candle: Joy
  

• Week 4
  Violet Candle: Peace
  

Why the rose candle?  It comes from the Catholic Church, who considers Advent to be a solemn time, much like Lent.  Ergo, the liturgical color for Advent was purple, the same as in Lent.  However, the third Sunday of Advent was known as Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete is Latin for “rejoice”), and the priest wore pink vestments.  So the colors of the Advent Wreath are also based upon the Roman Catholic liturgical colors for the season.   

How to Make a Fresh Advent Wreath

You will need:

• 1 rose or pink taper candle
• 3 violet taper candles
• 4 candle holders
• Wreath frame
• Florist wire
• Clippers (for the tree boughs)
• Moss, soaked in water
• Fresh boughs (pine, fir, cedar, spruce, holly---anything available in your region during the holiday season)
  

Step 1:
With the clippers, snip the boughs into 6-10 inch fronds.  Group an assortment of sizes or tree varieties into small bunches of 4-6 fronds.  Wire the cut ends of the bunches with florist wire.  Repeat. 

Step 2:
Affix one end of the skein of florist wire to the wire wreath frame.  Take one of your bunches and wrap the damp moss around the cut end.  With the skein of wire, affix the bunch to the frame. 

Step 3:
Add the next bunch of greenery in the same direction as the first and connect it with the same wire. Repeat this process until all of the bunches have been added to your wreath, save a few.  Take a step back from your creation, then fill in any gaps on the wreath with the extra bunches.

As you get to the “end” of the wreath, you may need to pull up your first bunch and tuck the final bunch under it for a seamless look. 

Step 4:
Place the wreath flat on the table where you’d like it displayed.  Place the four candle holders on the interior of the circle, one for each corner of the “square,” and insert the candles. 

Note: Lit candles and fresh wreaths could be a fire hazard if not treated properly.  Remember to keep the wreath moist so it stays fresh.  And never leave the candles unattended.  Replace them before they burn to the level of the wreath.  

Need more holiday ideas? Check out our great holiday articles.