The Christmas Wreath

This is from the internet...

The term "Wreath", curiously enough, is linked to our word "Wrist", with both terms forming a continuous physical circular shape. It also came from Middle English's "wrethe", meaning a twisted band or ring of leaves or flowers in a garland.
Wreaths have been used symbolically for centuries. The circle or ring shape is symbolic of eternity or eternal life, because the shape has no beginning or end. Back in ancient Rome, this symbol became so powerful that people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory. Some believe that this is where the hanging of wreaths on doors came from.
Putting plants into the symbolic circular shape symbolizes the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter. Wreaths and other decorations during long winters often consisted of whatever natural materials looked attractive at this bleak time of year. People used candles, fires, evergreens, hollies, berries, and forced blossoms to hold on to the promise of spring.

As I was making the wreaths for our Church last week, I thought about all the wreaths that I have made in my lifetime. When I was first married, I went out into the owner of our house's yard and trimmed the evergreens a little bit. Money was tight and I wanted a wreath to put on the front door. I wasn't experienced at making wreaths,and I think that first wreath must have been a bit crooked. I know that I used a coat hanger for the form. That first year we had a small tree..2 ft. I think. All during the fall, I painted little egg shells, cut a hole in them, and put a tiny scene in each one. I proudly hung them on the tree, and my husband's brothers said, "Is that supposed to be a Christmas tree?" They had a tree that touched the ceiling with all kinds of decorations. Our little tree was special to us...the first one. Later, I was involved in different groups and made wreaths together. We trimmed each members trees and had an abundance of different greens. I was always in charge of making the bows for these creations. It's funny...no matter how misshapen the wreath was...a big red bow made it beautiful. I have made hundreds of big red bows in my lifetime. Now days, with the wired ribbon, bow making has been made easier. I wish that I could have had wired ribbon in those Garden Club days.

I came back to this post to add this....It seems that I have come "full Circle" in my Christmas wreath making. In the "old days" we younger women would scramble up ladders, clip near the top of trees, haul the greens to a truck, unload, and then some of the older women would be making the wreaths. After the strenous work was done...we would pitch in and help. Now I am sitting at a table decorating wreaths that someone else has made. Everything in life, it seems, is a circle. Just like the Christmas wreath.

Balisha