Looking for meaningful ways to decorate for the holidays? Learn how to make a beautiful advent wreath in 7 easy steps.
I am really excited to join the Celebrating Advent Blog Hop hosted by my talented friend, Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home. If you are coming from my good friend Michelle’s from Thistle Key Lane, welcome to my home! I adore Michelle and her beautiful home.
Because I love to make both faux and fresh arrangements, I decided to make a pretty advent wreath to celebrate the meaning of the season.
What is an Advent Wreath?
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition symbolizing the four weeks of the Advent Calendar. Made of evergreen cuttings, it is traditionally a circular garland of greens that represent eternity.
Advent wreaths traditionally have 3 purple, one pink candle and sometimes a fifth white candle in the center.
Each week, a candle representing the spiritual preparation of the coming of Jesus is lit, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent.
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Supplies Needed to Make an Advent Wreath
- Container or other vessel.
- Floral foam
- Taper candles (typically using 3 purple and 1 pink)
- Fresh cut greens
- Pruners or scissors
- Pinecones, berries or other natural elements.
Don’t Have Supplies? Shop This Project Here
How to Make an Advent Wreath
In a nutshell:
- Gather supplies.
- Cut or buy fresh greens.
- You can also use faux greens, like I did with this arrangement.
- Depending on the size container or vessel you are using, cut floral foam to fit.
- Add tapered candles.
- Start with layer of fresh greens to drape over the edge of the container.
- Add filler greens.
- Tuck in pinecones and berries.
Choosing the Container
For my advent wreath, I started with this vintage urn that belonged to my grandmother.
I haven’t polished the silver on it because I kind of like the patina on it for this project.
Selecting the Greens and Candles
To stabilize the greens and candles, I cut some floral foam to size.
Since I am making my advent wreath so close to Christmas, I just used what I had on hand here to make the wreath.
I had a bunch of faux greens that I wasn’t using in my decor so I decided to use those instead of fresh cut greens.
But it’s just as easy to walk outside and cut fresh greenery from the yard.
When using fresh instead of faux greens, make sure to use a little dish or something to catch the water in on the bottom so nothing leaks out.
Designing the Advent Wreath
As with any arrangement, keep in mind the thriller, filler and spiller technique to container design.
I started the Advent Wreath by inserting the four candles into the floral foam. The candles are the thriller or height element of the design.
Because I am using what I have on hand, I don’t have the pink and purple candles, so I’m using white instead.
I then inserted a few pine looking sprigs to the base of the arrangement so it creates a spilling effect.
To keep the greens to scale with the urn, I want them to drape 2x the width of the container.
Then, I kept stuffing around the base with the pine looking sprigs until it looked full enough to add the filler.
Next I added some filler greens to make the arrangement look fuller, as well as to add more texture and dimension.
So I tucked in some cedar branch and juniper faux greens. The sprigs were smaller than the pines I used so they make really great filler.
When tucking in the greens, be sure to keep some space away from the candles so when they candles burn down they don’t ignite the greens.
To add more texture and dimension, I tucked in some pinecone sprigs. The ones I have are flocked and grouped in three’s on a floral pic.
But I love how they instantly added some life to the advent wreath, don’t you?
And finally, I tucked in some faux red berry sprigs to coordinate with my Christmas decorating style this year.
Adding them really makes the whole arrangement pop, don’t you agree?
For Safety Purposes
As with any burning candles, ALWAYS keep an eye on them. As the candles burn down into the greens, swap them out for fresh ones, or use flameless, battery-operated candles for safety.
More Holiday Decorating Ideas
- Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas
- How to Make Snowflakes With Paper Bags Without Making the Same Mistake I Did
- Rustic Farmhouse Christmas Table Decor Ideas
- Where to Buy the Best Faux Winter Greens and Florals
- 5 Cozy Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas
- Winter Gardening With Outdoor Planters
Wait Until You See These Advent Celebration Ideas!
Thanks so much for stopping by my home today. Next up on the tour is my good friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew.
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Thanks for stopping by the blog today!
Enjoy your day! xoxo
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Rachel Harper
Stacy,
This is just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing the details with us.
Stacy Ling
Thank you Rachel! Enjoy your day! xoxo
Laura Ingalls Gunn
Stacy your Advent wreath is incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Stacy Ling
I really appreciate that so much! Thank you Laura!!! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Amber
It is absolutely stunning! I love the vessel you used and the beautiful fresh greens. Great tutuorial too. Definitely pinning because I plan to make a similar one next year!
Thanks so much for joining the hop! Merry Christmas!
Stacy Ling
Thank you so much Amber! I really appreciate that and thank you for organizing such a great hop! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Jayne
I love your advent wreath Stacy. I’ll bet it smells divine with all the fresh greens, I know mine does! I love the patina on your Grandmother’s urn too, just right for Christmas!
Stacy Ling
Thank you so much Jayne! I’m so glad you were able to stop by today! I am really happy how it turned out. Merry Christmas! xoxoxo
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane
Oh Stacy, this has to be one of the prettiest advent wreath arrangements ever! Pinning to make one next year! Merry Christmas!
Stacy Ling
Thank you so much Michelle! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Ann
Stacy, I just luv this advent wreath. It’s so beautiful for the holidays! Merry Christmas!
Stacy Ling
Thanks so much Ann! Merry Christmas! xoxo
Cindy
Stacy, this is very pretty. Love tge natural elements! Merry Christmas!
Cindy
Stacy Ling
Thanks so much Cindy! Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Cindy@CountyRoad407
Beautiful wreath. I’ve never made and Advent wreath. Maybe I can do it next year since you gave us a great tutorial? Fingers crossed. Would love to hear why we are supposed to use purple and pink colored candles. 😉 Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Stacy Ling
Thanks Cindy! Its very similar to making a centerpiece! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! xoxo
Debra Oliver
Using a piece of family silver for your container is just the perfect look for this lovely evergreen arrangement. I’ve been intrigued by advent wreaths this Christmas season and yours is just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing a step by step DIY. I’m pinning it and hope to put one together next year. Have a Happy and Blessed Christmas and New Year!
Stacy Ling
Thank you Debra! I really appreciate that! Send me a pic if you make it next year, I’d love to see it! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Christy @ Our Southern Home
Stacy,
Your arrangement is absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for the clear instructions to recreate. Merry Christmas!
Kelly Radcliff
Stacy I loved your advent wreath! What a special way to celebrate Jesus and I love that you used your grandmother’s urn! Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend!
Stacy Ling
Thank you so much Kelly! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kimberly Snyder
Stacy, this is stunning ! It is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your talents!
Stacy Ling
Thank you so much Kimberly! Happy New Year!