Christmas wreaths have been used as a decorative symbol of Christmas for hundreds and hundreds of years. The best kinds are fresh evergreen wreaths, as they give off a pleasant pine scent when they are new. Holiday wreaths can adorn any part of your home, inside or out. In many homes, this symbol of growth and everlasting life can be found both inside and out. It is common to find wreaths on doors and walls, over the mantle, or hung in windows.

The wreath is made of evergreens, most often pine branches or holly. They can be real or artificial. But, an artificial one just doesn’t smell the same as an evergreen wreath. It is decorated with a variety of items including pine cones, holly berries, fruits, and just about anything you can imagine.

The wreath has significant meaning for the season. Its circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end. From a Christian religious perspective, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreaths, symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly branches have thorns. When used in a wreath it represents the thorn on Jesus’ crown when he was crucified. Bright red holly berries symbolize Jesus’ blood that was shed for us.

Today, it is sometimes hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas. We get all caught up in the hype of Santa and his arrival. The wreath over the hearth brings warmth to our hearts as we stop to reflect upon the true meaning of this very special day. 

Did You Know? While most of us think of holiday wreaths made of pine branches, some areas use a wide variety of materials. For example in New Mexico, Christmas wreaths are often made of dried Chiles.