Christmas is approaching fast and you have probably already decked your Christmas tree in a thousand lights. Traditional decorations adorn your home and all that remains is to wait patiently for 25 December, much-awaited Christmas Day, to give and unwrap presents. You may even have children at home who keep asking you (if not harassing you): "When is Christmas?" What if, to mark the passing of time, we made an Advent crown? To make alone or with family, it can be embellished with natural decorations, such as hip berries in shimmering colours or beautiful pine cones.
Follow our step-by-step tutorial to easily make a natural Advent crown.
1- Advent crown: history and tradition
Historically, it is hard to trace origin of Advent crown. Some historians attribute it to a Christian tradition dating from 16th century, others think it is much more recent, around 19th century. Some sources even suggest it may be inspired by much older pagan and Nordic traditions linked to winter solstice, later readapted to Christianity. In any case, today it symbolises waiting for 25 December. A candle is lit in turn on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day.
2- When to light the candles?
Take your calendar. Starting from 25 December, go back 4 Sundays. This gives date of first Sunday on which to light first candle. This Sunday can even fall at end of November depending on year. On second Sunday, light first candle again and also second. On third Sunday, light first two candles, then third. On fourth and final Sunday before Christmas, light all four candles together.
Tip: Be careful not to leave first candles burning for too long on early Sundays, so you can still enjoy them on fourth Sunday. Unless replacing them as you go.
1- What do I need?
- Straw crown. You can also make a crown with flexible bush branches (dogwood, willow, wisteria, hazel, woody climbing stems from vines...) ;
- Natural berries: hips, Cotoneaster lacteus, ornamental apples or holly ;
- Other natural decorations: pine cones, cinnamon sticks, star anise, dried hydrangea flowers, etc ;
- Wire for wrapping (used in floral design) or fine green twine or natural-coloured string ;
- A pair of scissors ;
- A pruning shear to trim branches and harvest berries ;
- A glue gun or spike candle holders ;
- Four candles.
2- How to make an Advent crown?
- Use a ready-made straw crown. You can also make one yourself by forming a circle with flexible branches, such as hazel or willow, then secure the whole by crossing the branches or with natural string.
- Fix the four candles. Easiest is to push metal candle holders into the crown. Otherwise, you can glue them directly with a glue gun, but be careful when candles get low to avoid fire risk. You can also glue small glass pots (for example yoghurt pots).
- Cover crown with branches of fir, holly or, as shown here, green moss. Hold them together by winding fine twine as you go.
- Now it's time to fix your natural decorations! Alternate pine cones and other berries on your crown, securing them either with wire or with a glue gun.
- Tip: you can slip berry stems under other decorations, then secure everything with dark-coloured string, preferably black or green.
- Place crown as centrepiece on table or on a piece of furniture. Light a candle in turn during the four Sundays before Christmas Day.
3- Tips and advice
- Never leave candles burning unattended to avoid fire risk. Extinguish candles as soon as you leave the room.
- If you want to make your own crown, you can use various branches from garden bushes: Thuja, juniper, yew, boxwood, eucalyptus, willow, hazel or even the beautiful red shoots of dogwood.
- Also in red tones, the festive season's signature colour, you'll find many small berries at this time in garden or on walks: rose hips, cotoneaster, ornamental apples, etc.
- You can also make natural decorations with cinnamon sticks, star anise, dried orange slices and many more. Let creativity lead!
Further reading
- Also discover Virginie's tutorial to make a natural Christmas crown
- Discover our tutorial to create an outdoor ice decoration
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