You know those moments when you see something and think, “I could totally make that!”?
Well, that was me when I spotted a few beautiful Advent wreaths. Never mind that I had absolutely no idea if I actually COULD make one. How hard could it be, right? 😂
So, armed with a little inspiration, a trip to Hobby Lobby (hello, 50% off!), and a healthy dose of let’s wing it, I set out to make my own Advent wreath.
And you know what? It turned out pretty darn cute!
The Meaning Behind the Advent Wreath
Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s talk about what makes an Advent wreath so special. For Christians, Advent is the season of preparation leading up to Christmas. It’s a time to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
The Advent wreath is a beautiful tradition that helps us mark the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Traditionally, the wreath is circular, symbolizing God’s everlasting love, while the evergreen branches represent eternal life and hope.
Four candles—three purple and one pink—represent the four Sundays of Advent. Each Sunday, another candle is lit as we draw closer to Christmas.
- First Sunday – Hope: Purple candle
- Second Sunday – Peace: Purple candle
- Third Sunday – Joy: Pink candle
- Fourth Sunday – Love: Purple candle
Some Advent wreaths, including mine, also have a fifth white candle in the center, known as the Christ Candle, which is lit on Christmas. It’s a simple but meaningful reminder that amid all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we’re preparing for something much greater than presents under the tree.
And now, let’s make one!
DIY Advent Wreath: What You’ll Need
I found everything I needed at Hobby Lobby, and with their 50% off sale, this little project became even sweeter!
Supplies:
- Advent wreath candleholder (mine is a gold metal design)
- Artificial evergreen greenery or pine branches
- Small pine cone clusters
- Red berry sprigs
- Gold decorative picks for a little sparkle
- Green floral wire (or green pipe cleaners)
- Advent candles: three purple, one pink, and one white
I wanted something festive but not over-the-top. After all, the wreath has a special meaning of its own, and I didn’t want the decorations to overshadow it.
Let’s Make an Advent Wreath!
Step 1: Start with Your Base
I started with a simple gold metal Advent candleholder. I loved its clean lines and knew the greenery would soften the look while allowing a little of the gold to peek through.
Step 2: Add the Greenery
Using artificial evergreen branches, I worked my way around the candleholder, layering and overlapping the sprigs to create a full, natural-looking wreath.
I secured everything with green floral wire, which blended right into the greenery. Green pipe cleaners would work just as well!
Don’t worry about making it perfectly symmetrical. A little variation makes it look more natural.
Step 3: Tuck in the Festive Touches
Once the greenery was in place, it was time for the fun part!
I tucked in small pine cone clusters and sprigs of red berries, spacing them around the wreath for little pops of color and texture.
Nothing too fussy. Just enough to give it a festive Christmas feel.
Step 4: Add a Little Shimmer
Because you know I can’t resist a little sparkle! ✨
I added a few delicate gold sprigs throughout the greenery. They’re subtle during the day, but I especially love how they’ll catch the candlelight.
A little shimmer goes a long way!
Step 5: Add the Advent Candles
With the greenery and decorations in place, I added the traditional Advent candles: three purple, one pink, and a white Christ Candle in the center.
And just like that, my DIY Advent wreath was complete!
Well…almost.
One More Finishing Touch!
As much as I love how it turned out, I’m saving one little addition for later.
Once fresh evergreen branches become available closer to Christmas, I plan to tuck a few sprigs into the wreath. Nothing beats the scent of fresh greenery during the holidays!
It’s a simple way to bring a little more of nature into the arrangement without starting from scratch.
One little safety note: If you’re using real candles, be sure to keep the greenery and decorations well away from the flames, and never leave burning candles unattended. Battery-operated candles are another option.
Making Room for Advent
As much as I love all the decorating, entertaining, and general merriment that comes with Christmas (and you KNOW I do!), I also appreciate the gentle reminder to slow down and make room for what this season is really about.
That’s one of the reasons I love the tradition of the Advent wreath. It’s a simple, beautiful way to bring a little more intention into the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Last year, I hosted a special Christ-Centered Advent Gathering for my Bible study group. It was an evening of friendship, prayer, and reflection, and I shared all the details, including a free printable candlelight prayer service, in that post.
Whether it’s gathering with friends for prayer or simply lighting an Advent candle at home, sometimes the quietest moments of the season are the most meaningful. ❤️
Love finding simple ways to make the holidays a little more meaningful?
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Because the best celebrations aren’t always the fanciest—they’re the ones filled with heart. ❤️
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