Dried Flower Expert

Christmas Wreath Traditions

Christmas wreath traditions date back to at least the 17th century.  Displaying a wreath on the outside of your door symbolized that your home was one that was celebrating the birth of Christ.     Wreaths were originally made of holly, which has several religious meanings.  The sharp leaves symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the Crucifixion.  The red berries symbolize the blood of Christ.  Another story tells how the berries were thought to have been originally white.  They were offered to the newborn Jesus by a child.  The holly pricked the finger of Christ and then the berries blushed red in shame.  Wreaths decorated with red and white berries are popular for this reason.   Today, Christmas wreaths are used to decorate and celebrate the holiday season in a lot of ways.  They are made of all kinds of things from fresh balsam fir to teddy bears and are used as corporate Christmas gifts, retail holiday decorations, home door decorations, and more.  Wreaths can be seen all over the world during the holidays and to most people symbolize peace and giving during the season.    Many people are concerned with the commercialization of Christmas, but still wish to give meaningful gifts to friends and family.  Fresh wreaths and table decorations make wonderful gifts for the holidays.  They can be given as thank you gifts, hostess gifts, corporate gifts, and more.  They can be decorated with pine cones and berries to maintain the natural look and aroma that makes a real Christmas wreath so desirable.  Fresh centerpieces for the table are also very popular.  Unlike flowers, an evergreen centerpiece can last for months if properly cared for.     Fresh Christmas table runners and wreaths can be enjoyed all through the holiday season.  Customers, visitors and passer bys will all be asking where the beautiful wreath or table accent came from.  You can be proud to give a real wreath knowing that it will help get people in the holiday spirit.  Living gifts are a unique and beautiful way to show your appreciation, love or gratitude for someone.    Another holiday tradition related to the Christmas wreath is kissing underneath the mistletoe. One story says that mistletoe was considered sacred by the Druids and was not allowed to touch the ground.  Therefore, the mistletoe was hung, and in recognition of its sacred status, people meeting underneath it must kiss.  Others think that the tradition was started by the Scandinavians, who believed that mistletoe was a symbol of peace.  Enemies meeting under the mistletoe had to declare a truce and seal it with a kiss.    This is a fun tradition to follow and many people do.  Mistletoe is pretty small and sometimes unnoticeable.  Another option is to hang a kissing ball.  A kissing ball is bigger and is decorated with bows, berries and pinecones, like the wreath.  It is made from fragrant evergreen foliage.  Kissing balls go great with matching wreaths and make an excellent gift choice for the holidays.   Traditions can be spread through cultures, religions, regions or families.  Traditions help us to remember the past and honor the ones who came before us.  They are most often passed down from parents to children.  The great thing about a tradition is that you can start one on your own.  Pass down your beliefs, customs and practices to your children.  Feel free to start your own traditions together.  Whether it involves kissing underneath the kissing ball or giving a fresh Christmas wreath to the host of Thanksgiving dinner, your family will feel closer when practicing it. 

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