Wreaths

Wreaths – whether they are live Christmas wreaths or synthetic, made-o-last fundraising Christmas wreaths, owe their origin to some convoluted etymology.

The Spanish Crown of Flowers, or corona de flores is a wreath – but the English word has the same root as “wrist”. Both a wrist and a wreath are of a continuous circular physical shape – and wreaths were originally the circular posies worn around the wrist. The word came from the Old English writha.

The twisted ring of leaves or flowers formed into a garland gradually evolved into a fresh Christmas wreath, larger and seasonal.

Holly wreaths go back to the Germanic wristiz, nowadays rist, words that mean both ‘wrist’ and ‘instep’. In México, Christmas wreaths are available throughout the holiday season, beginning on December 7, and ending almost two months later on February 2.

wreath ideas for Christmas vary according to country; on January 6, (Epiphany) for instance, families serve rosca de Reyes (ring of kings), a traditional Christmas wreath-shaped pastry filled with spices, dried fruit, and one tiny doll representing the baby Jesus.

The person fining the doll in his share must host the Candlemass meal on February 2.

From the Old English halig meaning "hallowed" or "holy", this eventually through the centuries became the Middle English holie, connoting "wholesomeness", as a circular wreath would indicate.

Holy, ivy and mistletoe are the three types of greenery usually associated with wreaths for different reasons; however, there are people who shun their pagan origins and make their own bay-and-balsam Christmas wreaths instead.

Any Christmas wreath manufacturer who is worth his salt knows this – and that is why there you are spoilt for choice when choosing your Christmas wreath. Cookies, fruit, nits or even tiny toys can be used to fill the middle space of a wealth when it is used as a table centerpiece; hanging a handcrafted Christmas wreath at the entrance to a house, moreover, is supposed to impart good luck to the residents and guests.

If you hate shopping, buy Christmas wreaths online; the variety is endless… and if you purchase early you might even get a discount. Christmas wreath-making using mistletoe probably dates from the times of the druids, who called it “all healing” (omnia sanitatem).

From Perth to Maine, Christmas wreaths have become an essential part of Yuletide decorations. It is practically possible to purchase Christmas wreaths online from which ever country one lives, in good time for Christmas.

Clubs, schools and other associations may find it beneficial to patronize wholesale Christmas wreath sales, since prices would be cheaper… by the dozen!