Advent Wreath 2013

That looks beautiful, Mel. I usually do one a bit nearer Christmas . Does yours keep fresh until then ?

Thank you, Rose. This is at church, and it's usually not too warm there. I wet the foam block every few days, and give it a weekly spray. If any of the greenery deteriorates too badly, I replace it. It always lasts throughout the Christmas season, though it's a bit crisp by the end! I have a similar, smaller one at home. As long as I remember to keep the foam damp it survives quite well.

That's lovely , Mel .
The one that is lit is just the right colour .

Love it!

Do you do all the flower arrangements for the church, Mel ?

Thanks, Driad. All the purple candles are exactly the same - none of them are really blue! My camera makes them look different.

Thank you, Michaella.

Gosh, no, Rose! The flowers are always nice, and on high days and holidays we have a real expert who does them. One year (a long time ago!) I was asked to do the wreath because there was no-one else available - it had been forgotten (!) and there were only 24 hours to arrange it. I have done it ever since. I feel it is a real privilege and enjoy doing it each year. It's the first really Christmassy thing I do.

It is beautiful and abundant! I like it very much. What is its size?
Is it Protestant or Catholic church? I do not know, if you know, but this custom - making so called Advent wreaths - started in Germany some 150 years ago. A Protestant pastor, who taught poor kids and orphans, was bored by their permanent questions when would be the Christmas. So he attached 24 candles and some green branches to the wooden wheel. :-)

Thank you, Katarina!

It is a Catholic church, hence the three colours, which I think are usually only used by Catholics. The third rose candle is for Gaudete, which is the third Sunday (the priest wears rose vestments then, although the other Sundays he wears purple as Advent is liturgically a penitential season.) I know that the Advent Wreath is an old European custom, and some people believe it goes back hundreds of years.

I am glad you like its abundance! I used to think it might be a bit over-exuberant, but our Parish Priest assures me he really likes it, so that's ok! I always add berries (skimmia) and herbs (lavender, sage and rosemary) as well as variegated and plain ivy. There's some holly on there somewhere as well. The basis is a combination of griselinia and box. I put some Honesty seed pods in it this year. I get all the materials from my garden except the griselinia - I lost mine two winters ago, but fortunately it lines the church car park!

The wreath is about 20 inches across.

Hi , Mel , I've learnt something , perhaps I should sit nearer the front !
When we get the Advent Wreath , they are all white !
I'll have to have a word .

Google Advent Wreath images, Driad. You'll see plenty there!

I Googled "Gaudete".
What a treat , several versions of the Carol , well worth it .
Thanks Mel .

It's a lovely carol. Did you also google "Gaudete Sunday"?

Just found this one too! Great job done, Mel.
About 3 years ago, I was asked if I would take over the Crib at our church as there was no-one to do it any more. I asked my friend if she would help and we have been doing it ever since. After the first Crib, we were asked if we would similarly take on the Easter Garden, which we did. It's a lot of work but we really enjoy it and try to ring the changes every year, bringing half our respective gardens with us, it seems! In fact, it must be about time to take down the Easter Garden, come to think of it. The dismantling takes less time than the creation but is approached with far less enthusiasm - just like taking down the Christmas trimmings at home!

So true, Tuesdaybear, (and thank you). OH gets positively melancholy when Christmas is packed away! I have been doing the wreath for more years than I care to remember - it just started to be "my" job by chance - but I really enjoy it.