by Esther Andrews

Created on: August 03, 2008   Last Updated: August 04, 2008

A BUYING GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Christmas wreaths, tracing back to early Persian cultures, are a festive way to decorate your home for the holidays. There are many types of wreaths, from the simple to the extraordinarily ornate, from which to choose. You can select natural handmade grapevine wreaths with dried flowers, berries, twigs, and vines or more playful, decorative artificial wreaths, all the way to, let's face it - others that are just plain tacky (but fun!). Important features to consider and look for in selecting a wreath include:

-Style & Theme: Think about your personal style. Do you prefer your holiday decorations to be simple and classic or more playful and fun? Select a wreath that matches your style. If your holiday decorating theme leans toward snowmen or reindeer, look for a wreath embellished with snowman or reindeer. Or if religious, look for a beautiful ornate wreath decorated with a nativity scene.

-Color Scheme: If you have a color scheme for your other holiday decor, such as white lights and big red bows, then use that same scheme for your wreath.

-Material: Material you should select depends upon where you'll place the wreath. For an outdoor location that's exposed to the elements, you'll want either a living evergreen bough wreath that will only last a short time anyway or artificial material such as a garland or even a plastic wreath. For an indoor location, a grapevine wreath that will decorate your home for years to come is a great option.

-Scent: If you long for the holiday pine scent to waft throughout your home, a living wreath is a great simple way to carry the scent into rooms beyond where you've placed your Christmas tree.

-Timeframe: How long do you want your wreath to hang on your door or walls? If you like to decorate throughout the month of December, an artificial wreath is a great way to make your house festive without worry that it will wilt and dry up before the big day comes. However, if you like to decorate right before Christmas day, a living wreath is a great option.

-Size: You'll need to determine roughly (or even measure) how much space you have for your wreath so you don't under or over-estimate the size you need when you're searching.

-Storage: If you have ample storage for all your holiday decorations, you can select an artificial wreath that will bring you joy year after year. However, if you live in a small space or move often, you may be happier selecting a living wreath that you can simply recycle after the holidays.

Happy wreath hunting!

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