#DesignLife Holidays: Hello Wreaths. We Missed You.
It’s that time of year…WREATH SEASON!
Even before the last autumn pumpkins are sent to the compost bin, holiday wreaths start to appear. We take a circular arrangement of plants or flowers and hang them on our front door to add a little #everdaybeautiful and to welcome guests as we celebrate the season.
The wreath has a long history, representing lots of symbolism and tradition. Personally, we love that they mark the season and can bring unexpected delight as we journey about our days. They also offer unexpected little twists to push your usual autumn decor out of the ordinary into the fabulous. We put this list together to help inspire you. Enjoy and happy wreathing!
The Not So Traditional Red and Green
Mark the season with a wreath of herbs and dried fruit. Ruby pomegranates and bay leaves interpret red and green in a brand new way. This one was custom made by a local vendor. If you can’t find someone local to create something like this, you can find a similar option here. If pomegranates aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that can be incorporated into a holiday wreath. Let your imagination loose.
The Sweet Surprise
Dried Citrus adds a flavorful touch to this unique holiday wreath and is a nod to the tradition of putting fresh oranges into stockings as a sweet surprise. If you’re unfamiliar with the historical significance of the orange at Christmas it has roots in the legend of St. Nicholas who was rumored to have thrown gold down the chimney into stockings left to dry on the fireplace mantle. More recently, oranges were a tradition during the Great Depression, when many families could not afford holiday presents and waking up on Christmas morning to find a fresh orange in your stocking was considered a luxurious gift.
Dreaming of Summer
Succulents make an interesting contrast to the traditional fall colors and bring a modern architectural look to the wreath. This succulent wreath with the grapevine and moss, in a diminutive size would be pretty welcome to holiday guests. Or a trio could make an impact when hung in multiples in front of a mirror or window or at varying heights along a stairway.
If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It Option
I have a small confession.
After all this talk of unique color palettes and taking a twist on the traditional, there's still something magical about an oak leaf wreath. The fiery colors feel almost jewel toned. When placed on an entry door, they create a warm and inviting greeting.
(It’s nice, right? You can find something similar here.)
The Why Choose Alternative
So many options! Are you having a difficult time deciding between succulents or oak leaves? No one says you must choose only one style. You can have the best of all worlds by combining floral, foliage and succulent. Here’s a wreath idea that hits all the right notes for a vibrant cacophony of color and texture. Splash this one on your front door to usher in the fall festivities.
The Little Black Dress Variation
Pinecones in assorted sizes and shapes create a textured monochromatic look for this natural wreath Hang it from your front door, lean it in front of a fireplace or use it as a tablescape by setting it on a buffet and arranging pillar candles and greenery in the center for a one-of-a-kind seasonal vignette.
Is It Spring Yet?
The holidays don’t require us to color within the lines using any particular color palette. If you choose, you can make your celebration pretty in pink. This fresh wreath with vibrant rose colored protea and zesty greens brightens any door on even the coldest winter day. Bonus: hot pink has been known to increase your serotonin levels, creating more happy in the world which makes pink the perfect antidote for gray winter days.
The Multi-Tasker
Useful and beautiful. This culinary wreath does double duty. The bay leaves and dried peppers are festive decorations and suitable for cooking. Fragrant and fresh, this heart shaped wreath is a unique interpretation of the love and joy we experience when gathering to share meals with family and friends during the holiday season.