The English word wreath comes from the old English word, writhen, meaning to writhe or to twist. Holiday wreaths have long been made by twisting or bending evergreen branches into a circular shape. The ancient Greeks, and Romans, used evergreen leaves and garlands to make headdresses that were awarded as prizes to Olympic athletes, military hero's, kings and others. Athletes received wreaths of Laurel, military hero's received wreaths made from olive branches. Members of the aristocracy began adding jewels and precious metals to these headdresses, creating what became the Crown. The word crown comes from the Latin word corona which means wreath or garland. The bible associates wreaths with joy, triumph and honor. In Christianity the holiday wreath represents the circle, and likewise is given as a symbol of eternity. When made of evergreen leaves and branches the wreaths symbolize everlasting life with the green color symbolizing hope and new life. It was somewhere during the 15th century that the wreath began to be used as a hanging decoration. Select this link to see our line of Artificial Christmas Wreaths and Pre-lit Christmas Wreaths. Some believed that hanging a wreath was a sign of victory, be it political, personal or religious.

The History of Christmas Wreaths.

Evergreen plants, such as holly, ivy and pine, which stay green all year, have long been used to create holiday wreaths. Such greens as holly, ivy, and mistletoe have special meaning since they not only stay green, they bear fruit during the harsh winter months. Anciently people symbolized these plants to represent the promise of new or everlasting life. The people of northern Europe and the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen boughs during their winter festivals. Select this link to see our Christmas Wreaths, Garlands, Christmas Greenery and Christmas Ribbon. Sprigs of holly would also be exchanged as tokens of good will for the coming new year. The early Greeks and Romans brought green boughs indoors as a living reminder of nature's vitality. The Victorian era brought an appreciation for lavish arrangements from greens such as ivy, hemlock, yew, laurel, and bay. Select this link to see our Battery Operated Lights.

A nineteenth century an American custom was to use greens and boughs for wreaths as memorials, honoring the dead at Christmas. The boughs would be woven into wreaths, Christmas stars, and crosses for graves. Later, the boughs would be removed from the cemeteries by family members and brought home, where they continued to symbolize the season as holiday decor.

In the early 1900's natural Christmas foliage and greens had become less abundant in the countryside. With the introduction of plastic artificial Christmas foliages, Unique Christmas Ribbon and greens we could now make artificial Christmas decorations without endangering nature. Select this link to view our Christmas Trees Artificial. Plastic holly, evergreen, and berries were the most realistic of these early reproductions. By the early 1960's, new materials such as silk and vinyl opened the door to more life like Christmas Wreaths and decorations. New Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks and Vases were now available for the Christmas decorators. Select this link to see our Christmas Tree Lights and Outdoor Christmas Decorations. Making the choice of colors and textures limitless.

Holiday Wreaths.

Advent wreaths originated as folk traditions of the people of northern Europe. In the deep of winter candles were lit on circular shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolized everlasting life. The candle light gave the people comfort at that darkest time of the year, as they looked forward to the warm days of spring. Traditionally an advent wreath consists of four candles, three purple and one rose colored. The three purple candles symbolize hope, peace and love. They were lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose candle, symbolizes joy and was lit on the third Sunday. By the sixteenth century advent wreaths were being made much as we know them today. Check out our wonderful Christmas Decorations Ideas Web Site.

Christmas wreaths are a friendly welcome to all.

Traditional Christmas wreaths are a symbol of faith. Since wreaths are a circle with no beginning or end, they symbolize God's eternity and mercy during the Christmas season. When Christmas Wreaths are decorated with evergreen leaves and branches they symbolize everlasting life and God's everlasting love. Their green color is a representation of hope and new life.