How To Make an Advent Wreath
Create a Prop for a Christmas Ritual With Natural Materials
Dec 2, 2008
This wreath reflecting a natural Australian approach, was created from simple bits and pieces picked up walking in the bush. Pieces such as seed pods from Poinciana trees and Gum nuts still on their twigs with leaves smelling fresh and clean, were combined with Pine cones to create an authentic Australian flavour for a traditional Advent ritual.
Decide on a Theme for the Advent Wreath.
Even though an Advent wreath has its own symbolic reference, the wreath can be made to reflect context. The theme for this wreath was natural Australia. Simple bits and pieces were picked up out walking in the bush. The symmetry was retained by crossing two Poinciana seed pods. This was done by drilling holes in the pods so that wire could be threaded through them.
The pods were then attached firmly to the wire hoop. The gum nuts still attached to sprigs laden with fresh, green leaves were wired and taped to these seed pods. The pine cones were attached to the hoop at equal spaces. This kept the design fairly symmetrical and round. This enabled the Advent symbolism to stand out against this natural backdrop.
Materials for Making an Advent Wreath
- wire or foam hoop
- natural materials
- wire to tie pieces together with
- tape for sticking tricky bits
- pliers, scissors and cutting blades
- a deep canvas of the appropriate size
- purple paint with brushes
- 4 candles and purple and pink ribbon and a lighter
- black cloth
- yellow bucket
Choose a Sturdy Structure to Support the Wreath
There are a variety of possible structures and supports for wreath makers to choose from.
Designers could use
- a wire hoop,
- store bought Christmas wreath,
- store bought foam Christmas tubular circle
- or a foam tubular circle created by gluing pieces of foam together and carving out the circle
Create a Base Upon Which to Stage the Symbolism
A wide deep canvas was painted purple. This created a stage for the wreath, as well as enabled the whole construction to be carried around easily.
It was then placed on another set of box constructions, which had been arranged to create a setting with varied heights.
The overall concept design was created by Kay Gleeson, APRE of Our Lady’s College. She used boxes from the drama department and covered this construction with a black cloth. This unified the visual statement and created a stark contrast against which to stage the symbolism of the wreath.
Account for the Symbolism of the Advent Ritual
During Advent each candle is to be lit. These candles had been adorned for Advent; three with purple ribbon and one with a pink. Scraps from the ribbons were draped over the wreath as it was set up on the stage.
Purple flowers with Baby’s Breath and Bracken were arranged in a yellow bucket with particular attention paid to arranging height and gradation of colour.
The Advent wreath was designed so that it can be easily reconstructed annually. Because the materials come directly from the local environment the design will be easy to recreate each year. By keeping the wreath design simple it will be a versatile compliment to variations of the liturgy from year to year.
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