My Lovely Front Door Christmas Wreath

Christmas always starts for me when I get my lovely Christmas front door wreath out of my storage cupboard. However, this year I had a bit of a shock - my Christmas wreath looked a bit 'dog eared'. It was actually ten years old but I loved it so much I kept getting it out and pinning it on my front door.

But... this year! I could not have my front door unadorned so I set about shopping for a new one. While window shopping for a wreath I began wondering why we hang Christmas wreaths on our front doors at Christmas! So I read up about it and this is what I found.

I found that wreaths derives from the pagan folk law practices of ancient Germanic tribes who, during the cold dark nights of December, gathered evergreens and lit fires to signal and give hope to the coming of Spring. This practice was then adopted by 16th Century Protestants and Catholics which then spread throughout the Christian world.

I also found out that ancient Romans used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory and so there was no better place than to show this than your front door for all to see and acknowledge.

Traditionally the basis of a wreath is usually made from evergreens such as holly or pine branches. These have a wonder fresh smell and I love ones covered in red berries, dried seed heads and pine cones. These make the wreath so Christmassy and festive. The shape of a wreath should be round as this emphasises the never ending circle of eternity and life. No colours are more iconic than red, green and gold when it comes to Christmas. The richness of the colours, the different hues, the spices that have originated from the east create a very special atmosphere which makes me feel very happy and joyful.

Christians use holly to represent the 'crown of thorns' that Jesus wore when crucified (as you probably know, the lower branches of holly are very thorny). The red berries are then meant to represent the 'blood of Christ' which he shed for all of us.

Often today the meaning of Christmas is being lost in the modern world of consumerism. But for me the Christmas wreath, whether hanging on your front door or on your fireplace brings the wonderful glow of Christmas and good will into my home, life, family and friends.