Types of Wreaths

Decorative Wreaths

• Decorative wreaths are made from dried, fresh or silk flowers and herbs and are used in home decor to signal changing seasons or to celebrate a holiday. Straw, foam, wire or grapevine forms are used as a background into which the flower stems are intertwined. Decorative wreaths can also contain foliage, eucalyptus stems, berries, nuts and bare twigs. A colored ribbon is often wrapped around decorative wreaths and tied in a bow. Decorative wreaths are hung on doors, in windows, above mantels and on walls for display. They can also be placed on a table and used as a centerpiece.

Christmas Wreaths

• Christmas wreaths first appeared in ancient Rome when holly wreaths were given as Christmas gifts. Today there are two types of Christmas wreaths, decorative wreaths and Advent wreaths. Decorative Christmas wreaths are hung on doors, walls and in windows to celebrate the Christmas season. Often they are made of fresh evergreen boughs and sprigs of holly. These wreaths are decorated with pinecones, nuts, glass balls and red ribbons tied into bows. Advent wreaths are used in the Catholic religion to celebrate their hope in Christ. The Advent wreath is a simple circle of evergreens that is hung from the ceiling by purple ribbons or placed on a table. Four violet or rose candles are placed in the middle of the wreath and one candle is lit every week to celebrate the four weeks of Advent.

Bridal Wreaths

• Bridal wreaths are worn in a bride's hair on her wedding day. These wreaths are most commonly made from flowers such as stephanotis, hydrangea, spirea, jasmine and miniature roses. The stems of each blossom are wired together to form a circle and set on the bride's head. Bridal wreaths can also be made of a circle of wire adorned with crystals, beads, pearls and semi-precious stones. Some brides choose to wear a wreath made entirely of greenery foliage.

Funeral Wreaths

• Funeral wreaths are used during funerals or set on the graves of deceased loved ones. Funeral wreaths are made up of tight clusters of flowers such as carnations, roses and lilies attached to a wire or grapevine form. Funeral wreaths can be shaped like a circle or a heart. The circle is the most common shape and is a symbol of eternal life. A heart shaped funeral wreath signifies undying love. Funeral wreaths are displayed on wire stands to hold them aloft near a casket or gravestone.