August 17, 2023 • 2 min read
A Brief History of Wreath History
From Greenery to Glam: The Evolution of Wreaths as Home Decor
Wreath customs in Europe stem from ancient pagan traditions. In fact, the observance of May Day in England includes Maypole festivities, culminating in a race by young unmarried men to climb to the top of the Maypole to capture the May Day wreath perched at the top of the pole. The contest winner would wear the wreath as his crown and be recognized as the May Day King for the rest of the holiday.
Today, front-door wreaths are a popular form of wall decor that can be found in a variety of styles, from florals with eucalyptus and lavender in the spring to more traditional greenery wreaths for Christmas. But how did wreaths evolve to become the trendy home decor items they are today? Let's look at the history of wreaths.
A Spring in Your Step: The Rise of the Spring Wreath
Ancient wreaths were made from natural leaves, branches, and berries. With spring's arrival, people would gather wildflowers and make wreaths to symbolize fertility and rebirth for the bacchanal parties. The Summer Cottage is beautifully subdued and whimsical, fitting perfectly with any spring or summer decor. Once Christianity adopted these symbols, they were repurposed in art as symbols of kings and heroes as a sign of peace, and of course, this would extend all the way to Saint Nicholas and the Christmas Tradition.
Fast forward to today, spring wreaths have evolved to include colorful flowers, such as a tulip wreath with multicolor eggs and sunflowers, with forsythia for Easter, a similar expression of renewal and rebirth.
Decking the Halls: The Christmas Wreath Tradition
The tradition of hanging a green wreath on the front door can be traced back to ancient Rome, where green leaves were made from evergreens and used to symbolize eternal life. Today, berry wreaths like the Brilliant Berries come in a variety of styles, from traditional evergreen wreaths to more modern designs featuring hydrangea, magnolia leaves wreaths, and sometimes even fruit or olive wreaths.
Wreaths with a Twist: The Rise of Embellished and Decorative Wreaths
As wreaths became more popular as modern-day home decor, designers began to get creative with their designs. Wreath makers started to add embellishments or swag, such as mini pumpkins, carnival decorations, grapevines, and boxwood, to their creations. The Pacific Pepperberry is a top-of-the-line seller that is full of luxurious class. The result was a new type of wreath that was not only beautiful but a demonstration of wealth and community.
Today, you can find new arrivals in all styles, from traditional floral wreaths to trendy succulent and wildflower wreaths. And with a wreath hanger, you can hang them just about anywhere, from your living room to your entryway.
So there you have it, a brief history of wreath traditions and how they've evolved to become the trendy home decor items they are today. Whether you prefer a simple eucalyptus wreath, a more elaborate peony flower wreath for Mother’s Day, or a heart-shaped wreath for Valentine’s Day, there's one for everyone.
DIY: Wreath Frames, Grapevine Wreath, Boxwood Wreath, Door Hangers
