Features

Here we are in the 21st century, and still infusing life into our winters with cut evergreen boughs, just as did the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Jews, Christians, and Druids. 

Just a few evergreen boughs tied together and accented with a red ribbon make a doorway more inviting or a room more cozy. But going one step further with the greenery, to a wreath, creates something special. The actual making of a wreath can be an end in itself, particularly to the accompaniment of a warm fire, friends, and children. 

To make a wreath, start with a base. This might be a sturdy ring of wire (from a coat hanger, for example), straw that has been bound into a bulky circle with string, or a woven vine of grape, honeysuckle, or wisteria.  

The base might be all, or just about all, that is needed for a simple wreath. Poke in some sprigs of wild rose to add color, along with some overlapped sprigs of lavender, thyme, or rosemary, bound with thin wire, for fragrance. Keep thyme’s wiry stems somewhat loose and, along with the tiny stems, they can add body to a wreath. 

Perhaps you’re more drawn this time of year to wreaths that have rich, green color and are almost gaudy with ornamentation. The base for such a wreath is some evergreen plant. Not all evergreens are suitable, because some drop their leaves too readily indoors. Among needle-leaf evergreens, juniper, white pine, mugho pine, red pine, and spruce are good choices. Mahonia, holly, rhododendron, and English ivy are suitable broad-leaf evergreens for a wreath, although they won’t hold their leaves as long as the needle-leaved ones. Wire, glue or tuck small bunches of evergreens onto the base, with all the bunches facing the same direction. Don’t be stingy, for this mass of green color is what is going to visually unite the whole wreath. Next, add accent. Ornaments that are darker shades, or blue or green, make a quieter wreath than ornaments that are lighter shades, or red or yellow. Lively ornaments might include chains of shiny red cranberries or popcorn threaded together. And tinsel, of course. 

Lee Reich is a features writer for 

The Associated press.