DIY Christmas Wreath Idea

Season's Greetings from the sosyalerang frog!

I believe it's still the parol that is closest to every Filipino's heart and represents best the 'Paskong Pilipino'. However, in this modern time and age, we have already adapted traditions from other nations and somehow mix it in with our own. One of the things that we've come to love is the Christmas wreath. This is not as popular Christmas ornament as the parol here in the Philippines. I still remember when me and my cousins made a flower wreath and placed it on top our lola's headboard just a simple gesture of our love to her. But when our lola and parents saw what we did, they were in horror! (literal!) Little did we know that wreaths also signify death, at least in our place. From then on, we never really thought of making one ever again.

But where did wreaths originate? Here's a brief history:

The making of wreaths is an ancient and honored art that began about a thousand years before the birth of Christ.  The Christmas Wreath symbolizes the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter.  In ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory and celebration.  the custom of hanging a wreath on the front door of your home probably came from this practice.  At Christmas, the wreath is symbolic of Christian immortality.  the circle and the sphere are symbols of immortality.  The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was also an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews among other people. The use of evergreens for Christmas wreaths and other decorations probably arose in northern Europe, Italy and Spain in the early 19th century.  The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red.  Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Christ.  Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at his crucifixion.  but for most of the 20th century, the word "wreath" conjured up visions of rings of evergreens with red ribbons hung on doors at Christmas.  The traditional Christmas wreath is hung anytime from right after Thanksgiving to mid-December and left hanging through the winter months. [source: www.northwoodsinspirations.com]

It's been more than 15 years since the flower-wreath incident and our lola is still alive at 89, by the way! Alive and kickin! Woohoo! Prepping up for Christmas, I have decided to make a decorative Christmas wreath for our front door... this time, a sign of thanksgiving. Just my little way of thanking the Lord for the bountiful and continuous blessings me and my family received throughout the year.

The Christmas wreath I will be sharing will be simple. Things needed are:

Potato sack | Old newspapers | Wire | Hot glue | Ribbons | Scissors | Adhessive Tape | Pliers | Flower ornaments

First, I cut the potato sack into strips

Then, formed the wire into a ring-shape and covered it up with crumpled old newspapers.

When it was thick enough, I covered it with strips of the potato sack.

...and decorated it with the flower ornaments.

That's it! A simple yet cute Christmas wreath made out of recycled materials. Make yours too and don't forget to share! *wink*

Here are some creative Christmas wreath ideas you can try:

Christmas wreath made of cookie cutters and cork stoppers would definitely keep your creative mind working and want to make your own.

sources: www.homedit.com(cookie cutter wreath) | stagetecture.com(cork stopper wreath)

Maybe you have a collection of Christmas ornaments and a bunch of ribbons no longer in use, these Christmas wreath ideas are must-dos.

sources: www.homedit.com(christmas ball wreath) | www.bhg.com(turquise wreath)

In for some sweet surprise this Christmas? Kids will instantly fall in love with these wreath ideas! Just make sure you hang them high enough or they won't last a day!

sources: www.bhg.com(candy cane wreath) | www.foodnetwork.com(candy wreath)

Before I end this post, I would like to send my prayers to all of my 'kababayan' devastated by the Super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) who are in dire need of help. I urge everyone to do your part too in helping them. It doesn't have to be grand. Kung may mga gamit kang hindi na ginagamit, or konting sacrifice that instead of buying text load for a day, why don't you donate it na lang. Your Php30.00 will be of great help na. More than any kind of donation, in kind or cash, let's pray for their quick recovery. Let us not forget to include also the victims of the earthquake in Bohol and the Zamboangenos na naipit sa gulo between the government and MNLF. Hawak kamay po tayo sa pagbangon! #BangonPilipinas

God bless the Philippines!

P.S.
I just can't help but also include a snapshot of my 'assistant' in making the wreath—my new baby, Dalkee! Ain't he adorable?! Sure he knows how to werk with the camera! ^_^