DIY Advent Wreath

Advent in the mountains is something very special. Snow-covered landscapes and lovingly illuminated villages - numerous Advent events and different Christmas traditions make these weeks the most romantic time of the year for locals and guests alike. The latest Saalbach Story is all about the Advent wreath - its origins, its history and the DIY approach to sustainability. This model is recyclable and very easy to recreate - a great activity to do with kids on cold days. There are also some tips on the best Advent events in the region. Have fun making and looking forward to it! 

Winter traditions with Celtic roots

Many of the customs in the Alps go back to the Celts. They were probably the first to bring fresh fir greenery into their huts in winter - a symbol of life in the dark season. Over time, these traditions also changed under the influence of the Christian faith and so the fir branches that were attached to the blankets became the Christmas tree over the centuries. Experts also recognise many Celtic symbols in the Advent wreath. 

The wreath as a circle symbolises the annual cycle. For people in the past, time was not a linear construct, but was deeply rooted in ever-repeating cycles dictated by nature. The evergreen of the fir trees symbolises life and vitality, the four red candles on the wreath stand for the connection to the spiritual world and the universe. 

Traditional Advent wreaths have retained these colours and shapes. On every Sunday in Advent, another candle is lit and on the 4th Sunday in Advent and on 24 December, all four are lit. It is still a custom in many families to gather around the Advent wreath, eat home-baked biscuits and sing old carols. One of these songs is the well-known ‘Es wird scho glei dumpa’ by Anton Reidinger. There is also an impressive Advent wreath to admire in the Saalbach parish church during Advent. 

The fragrant DIY Advent wreath - natural & recyclable! 

The image of the Advent wreath has changed in recent years. If you take a stroll through the markets, you will find numerous different variations, shapes and colours. Today we have a DIY guide for you - an Advent wreath that is super easy to recycle using natural materials. You can make the wreath together with the children - a perfect activity for a cold November afternoon! 

Materials for the Advent wreath: 

• 1 straw ring with the desired diameter 
• Fresh fir branches 
• wire
• Wire cutters
• Four candles - we opted for honeycomb candles
• Four matching candle holders 
• Decorations to suit your mood - we used home-dried orange slices, cones from the forest, cinnamon and wooden decorations 

And it's that simple: 

• Tie the fir branches overlapping around the straw ring until the ring is completely covered.
• Attach the candle holders and fix the candles to them.
• Then secure the decoration with wire. (Theoretically, you could also use glue - but as we are recycling the wreath, we won't). 

The beautiful, traditional Advent wreath is ready - and the first candle can be lit on the first Sunday in Advent. The special thing about using fresh fir greenery, dried oranges, honeycomb candles, cinnamon & co: The wreath smells wonderfully of Christmas! 

Advent is over - what to do with the wreath?  

• Especially at Christmas time, the rubbish bins overflow in many places. We consciously decide against this and reuse the components of the Advent wreath! And this is how it works: 
• Unwind the wire and disassemble the wreath into its individual parts.
• We collect the dried fir greenery, grind it and use it as a cleansing incense (you can read more about incense and the Raunächte in this story). 

The fragrant orange slices can be used as a cleaning agent - simply soak them in water together with vinegar in a screw-top jar for three weeks, then add them to the cleaning water - they can be used undiluted or diluted. 

If you like, you can turn the straw wreath into a door wreath. Wrap it with wool or twigs, decorate it with cinnamon sticks and any other decorations you like and attach it to the front door - an inviting welcome for guests! My tip: This is great to do with the kids - they have fun redecorating and making new jewellery ...

The candle holders can be stored in the cupboard and reused next year. The candles are melted in a bain-marie and filled into jars. Sprinkle some coffee powder on top. A great trick for the summer, as the coffee-scented candles keep mosquitoes and wasps away! 

And what else is there to do in Christmassy Saalbach? 

Lively Advent events ensure the finest Christmas anticipation for the whole family. The Glemmer Advent magic organised by local clubs, elaborately designed Krampus wreaths, Christmas concerts and much more ensure a varied and atmospheric pre-Christmas season. The markets offer handicrafts and homemade products from local farmers and producers, traditional Christmas carols and regional Advent delicacies such as Kletzenbrot. Click here for an overview of upcoming events.

I wish you a wonderful pre-Christmas season & lots of fun!