Advent Wreath: Symbolism and How to Make One

An Advent wreath is a ring of conifer with four candles, one lit each Sunday before Christmas. It is a lovely way to count down to the holiday and make your home cosy. Here is where the tradition came from, what the wreath and candles symbolise and how to make an Advent wreath yourself.

Festive conifer arrangements are available among our flower baskets and flower boxes.

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Where the Advent wreath came from

The first wreath was made in 1839 by the Hamburg pastor Johann Hinrich Wichern for children at the Rauhes Haus orphanage: he placed 24 candles on a wooden cartwheel — small ones for weekdays and large ones for Sundays — so the children could see how many days were left until Christmas. Later the wheel became a wreath of conifer, with four candles for the four Sundays of Advent.

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What the wreath symbolises

• The circle — eternity.
• Evergreen foliage — life and hope in the middle of winter.
• Four candles — four Sundays of waiting; the light grows each week.
• Colours — three purple and one pink in the Catholic tradition; often red in Germany and Scandinavia, and white in modern decor.

Advent is a Western Christian tradition. In Ukraine the Nativity (St Philip's) Fast precedes Christmas, but the Advent wreath is increasingly part of home decor as a symbol of waiting for the holiday.

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How to make an Advent wreath

• Base: a willow, wire or floral foam ring 25–35 cm across.
• Conifer: bundles of fir, pine or thuja, wired on in overlapping layers.
• Candles: four matching ones (or three plus one different) in secure candle picks.
• Decor: pine cones, berries, dried oranges, cinnamon, ribbons.
• Tray: stand the wreath on a non-flammable base.

A step-by-step conifer wreath guide is in DIY holiday decor.

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Safety

• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Conifer dries out and catches fire easily — replace the branches or use LED candles.
• Keep the wreath away from curtains, children and pets.

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FAQ

When does Advent start in 2026?

On 29 November, four Sundays before Christmas on 25 December.

Why is one candle pink?

The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday (Gaudete, "Rejoice") as a sign of joy that Christmas is near.

Can I use electric candles?

Yes, LED candles are safer and let the wreath last longer.

For card messages, see Christmas wishes.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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