
These Are Not Your Traditional Holiday Wreaths (Published 2021)
The ancient craft of wreath-making, steeped in history from Greek and Roman civilizations, is being reimagined by a new generation of female florists, particularly in Britain. Historically, wreaths symbolized triumph, worn by champions in athletic and artistic contests, and by Roman soldiers returning from battle. The Greek word for wreath, "diadema," meaning "diadem," and the Latin "corona," meaning "crown," highlight their early association with royalty and status. Beyond ceremonial coronations, gold wreaths mimicking myrtle adorned the elite, while others were hung by despairing Grecian suitors, echoing Apollo's pursuit of Daphne. The tradition of hanging wreaths on doors as a symbol of welcome and warmth at Christmas is believed to have originated in 16th-century Germany, where Catholics fashioned boughs from leftover tree branches. This practice spread to England and then to America, where abundant evergreens like cedars, Douglas firs, boxwoods, and hollies solidified the wreath's role as a quintessential Yuletide decoration.
Contemporary British female wreath makers are now offering a fresh perspective on this ancient craft, focusing on sustainable and often uncommon dried materials. Their creations are seen as tokens of triumph over recent challenging times. For instance, Katie Smyth and Terri Chandler of Worm, a Hackney, London-based studio, draw inspiration from Ireland's coastal flora. Their month-long study of alliums informs reusable garlands made from wild thyme, tumbleweeds, rosehip, redwing, and sweet onions, reminiscent of Celtic harvest wreaths from Samhain. They utilize every part of the allium, from its skins to its blossoms, emphasizing the wholeness of the symbolism. Another Hackney-based florist, the Flower Appreciation Society, founded by Anna Day and Issy Crossman, repurposes leftover blooms from summer weddings into wreaths of seedlings, wild grasses, dried hops, and branches.
Willow Crossley, a florist based in the Cotswolds, hand-assembles her garlands using pink wax flower, helichrysum (known as the everlasting flower for its longevity), echinops, limonium, and berried populus. Meanwhile, West London's Flowerbx, founded by Whitney Bromberg, offers bespoke wreaths crafted from neutral-toned, single-variety flora, including delicate daisy chains and layered sprays of silver grass. Kitten Grayson, based in Somerset, crafts her garlands from hundreds of dried dahlias and gomphrena, emphasizing the transformation of flowers as they dry. She views wreaths as "shrines to the landscape," akin to "portholes" or "memory boxes" filled with seasonal elements that have accompanied people throughout the year. Ultimately, these modern wreaths, like their ancient predecessors, are designed to return to the earth, completing a continuous cycle of creation and renewal.
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