DIY Autumn Warmth Wreath
The Tradition of Autumn Wreaths
The tradition of crafting the Autumn wreath dates back generations as a way of warming the home as the weather turns cold. They’re made by utilizing common herbs, weeds, and flowers alongside comforting spices and oils to warm and brighten the home as the days grow shorter and nights grow colder.
Women would take the brighter trimmings of the gardens and braid them into intricate wreaths that would dry and die over the course of several weeks while emitting comforting aromas through their houses and allowing the bright colors of Autumn to lighten the cockles of the home.
The practice of making autumn wreaths also had spiritual purpose. The clipping of the plants to adorn the home was a way to respect them throughout their life and far into their death. After weeks of drying, the wreaths would be burned after they had expended their aroma.
It was thought that the wreaths would attract sprites that would bring luck or faeries like hobgoblins that helped keep the home clean. They were meant to be welcoming to traveling troupes of faeries as well as to let ancestors know that family still inhabited the home. Because of this, they were placed at the front and back door of the home on the inside. It was also believed that leaving the wreaths up after they had lost their smell was an insult to the faeries that had taken up residence there, a sign that there was no care being taken for them.
Creating the Autumn Wreath
Ideally, autumn wreaths would be made from clipping in your garden or the surrounding area, but if you do not have a good source of options, you can simply pick up some bundles from a local grocery or floral shop. In this creation, we used bundles of Seeded Eucalyptus, Frosted Eucalyptus, and red Alstromeria. Not local fauna, but the result smells very nice and looks very handsome all put together. Use what you are drawn to and will make you feel good about putting in your home.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Your choice of flora
- Binding : Twine or Wire
- Structure (optional if your stems are sturdy) : Metal Frame or Grapevine Wreath
- Essential Oils : Traditionally Cinnamon and/or Clove
Trim any excess stem of the plants, but leave enough to help with structure and binding, about 3-4in. You can trim more off if necessary, but you can’t get it back!
Before you begin binding, you may want to begin layering the flora to completion to map out your wreath. This helps to see how large it will be and to make sure you have enough to work with or enough spacing to fill your structure.
When that is sorted, begin again and simply wrap your binding around the flora as you add shape and layer them one after the other. There are no real rules here. Just create what appeals to you and don’t worry too much about perfection. The beauty is in the process and time spent making something yourself, and any hints of imperfection only add to the appeal and homemade nature of it.
Once you are pleased with its appearance, sprinkle your chosen essential oils on it and hang it in your home. All done! If you make one, be sure to share it on your social media and tag us!
f you would like to support the creation of this content and have access to some other great offerings, please check out the Black Dragon Tavern Patreon page!