5 Simple Advent Wreath Ideas For a Cottage Christmas

Advent wreaths are a tradition in many homes and churches during the season of Advent – the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is during Advent that we not only look forward to Christmas and celebrating the birth of Christ, but that we also prepare ourselves and our hearts for His second coming. Traditionally a candle on the Advent wreath is lit each week along with the previous weeks’ candles, and usually accompanied by a devotion, song, or prayer.

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Each candle represents a different theme of Advent: Hope (purple), Love (purple), Joy (pink) on Gaudete Sunday, and Peace (purple). Sometimes blue is used instead of purple. The center white candle is lit on Christmas and during the Christmas season thereafter until Epiphany. I’m sure each tradition and denomination has its own variations, so just know that I’m speaking generally here from a Western Christian perspective.

Traditionally an Advent wreath is simply a wreath with candle holders in it. However there are many creative and inexpensive ways to make your own Advent wreath (commercial ones can be quite pricey!). Here are 5 simple ways to make your own lovely Advent wreath.

As with any project I share, please use your best judgment and proceed at your own discretion.
Never leave candles unattended and do not burn them all the way down to where the flame could come in contact with decor.

Advent Wreath #1: In a Bowl

For this wreath I found the biggest ironstone bowl I had. I cut pieces of floral foam to fit in the bottom of the bowl and scraped out circles with a butter knife to hold the candles where I wanted them. Then I filled in with Spanish moss, foraged pine cones, and dried oranges.

I love all the color and texture!

Create your own!

Advent Wreath #2: Wintry Neutral

This is actually the wreath I used for my family last year. The base is a vintage mirror I painted white – I love the pretty edge details and the way the mirror reflects the candlelight. The candles are being held by a metal candle holder ring I found in the Target dollar spot a few years ago. I disassembled a small glittery wreath my mom was getting rid of and tucked the pieces around the perimeter of the mirror.

For this particular wreath I used all white candles with a pillar candle in the center. I only had 2 of each height of taper, so just pretend they’re all the same height…although it does add a little extra interest I suppose.

Wreath #3: Traditional

This wreath is the most traditional of the bunch. Into an existing wreath I tucked little baby food jars full of sugar to hold the candles and a small ironstone bowl in the center to hold the pillar candle. If you want this wreath to be easily transportable, place it on top of a piece of wood or other sturdy tray.

Wreath #4: Wood Block

This one was probably the most fun to make. I got to use my husband’s drill press for it! This little chunk of wood is from our beloved backyard tree which we had to take down several years ago. I used calipers to measure the diameter of the candles, then drilled evenly spaced holes down the center of the wood.

I had to make the holes slightly larger than the candles, so I took little bits of my kids’ play dough and put it in each hole to help stick the candle in place. It worked great. You could just as easily use stick tack or a similar substance. A few sprigs of fresh greenery, pinecones, and dried oranges give it some added interest. Personally I think just the wood block by itself could look really cool in a minimalist sort of way too.

Wreath #5: Outside the Wreath (Box)

A rustic wooden box, like this one I got from Vintage Market Days, makes a neat cottage style Advent wreath.

I filled it with faux stems from the Target dollar spot (this year, 2022), cinnamon sticks, and pinecones. The baby food jars full of sugar are holding the candles in place, and dried Spanish moss is filling in the gaps and looking rustically lovely.

I hope this gave you some inspiration to create an Advent wreath of your own this year! I’d love to hear about your Advent traditions – drop me a comment below!

Blessings,
Melissa

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