Door Wreaths for your Australian Christmas - Buy a Beautiful Garland
Bring the Christmas spirit to your doors with our lovely selection of Christmas wreaths and lights.
Christmas Wreaths Australia
With an expansive variety featuring many classic botanicals including Australian natives, our range of gorgeous Christmas wreaths is sure to make your home more festive in style!
Christmas Lights
Complement your wreath with some lovely Christmas lights to add a touch of festivity or simply use by itself to exude understated elegance.
The tradition of the Christmas Wreath and Garland
The tradition of using greenery to celebrate the winter season didn't start with Christmas. In fact, it predates the holiday by thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Vikings, used evergreen boughs to decorate their homes and public spaces during the winter solstice. They believed these plants, which remained green all year, symbolized eternal life and the promise of spring's return.
In Roman times, people celebrated the festival of Saturnalia, honouring Saturn, the god of agriculture. During this mid-December festival, Romans decorated their homes and temples with garlands made from evergreen plants. They saw these decorations as a symbol of health and prosperity.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, many of these pagan traditions were incorporated into Christmas celebrations. The use of evergreen garlands was one such tradition that found a new home in Christian festivities. By the Middle Ages, Christians were using these wreaths as part of their Advent and Christmas decorations, intertwining them with holly and ivy – plants also associated with everlasting life and protection.
Garlands comes from the French
The term "garland" itself comes from the Old French word "guirlande," originally meaning a wreath or band of flowers. Over time, the meaning expanded to include decorative wreaths made from various materials, including flowers, leaves, and even paper or fabric.
In Victorian England, Christmas decorations became increasingly elaborate, and the Christmas wreath was no exception. Victorians would create lavish garlands from evergreens like holly, ivy, and mistletoe, adorning them with ribbons, fruits, and sometimes even small gifts. These garlands weren't just for the wealthy; making them was a popular activity for families, who would gather greenery from the outdoors to create their festive decorations.
The tradition of the Christmas wreath travelled across the oceans too. When British settlers came to Australia, they brought their Christmas customs with them. However, since Christmas falls during Australia's summer, the traditional evergreen garland took on a new form. Australians adapted by using native plants such as eucalyptus, wattle, and bottlebrush to create their holiday garlands, blending the British tradition with Australian flora.
Today, Christmas garlands are more diverse than ever. While some people continue to use natural materials, others opt for artificial ones that can last year after year. Modern wreaths might include lights, ornaments, and other decorations, reflecting the personal style of the decorator and the evolving nature of holiday traditions.
Add Christmas Garlands to your Christmas List
The Christmas garland, with its deep historical roots and evergreen symbolism, continues to be a cherished part of holiday decor around the world. Whether made from pine boughs in the northern hemisphere or eucalyptus leaves in the southern, these decorations represent a timeless celebration of life and nature during the festive season.
So next time you drape a garland over your mantelpiece or wind it around your staircase, remember you're participating in a tradition that spans centuries and cultures. It's a small way to connect with the past while celebrating the present. And if you don't have any garlands you should be adding them to your Christmas list. Happy decorating!
Looking for more Christmas decor to match your new wreath? Take a look at our decorations here.