Why do we hang Christmas Door Wreaths?

During December, we have been hosting some Christmas wreath workshops at our centre. But why do we hang door wreaths at Christmas?

So, there’s a mixed bag of theories around the wreath and it’s origins, I have covered a few of them.

The wreath was meant to represent the crown of thorns worn on the cross, with the red berries meant to be Christ’s blood.  By hanging one of these on their door, Christians were inviting the spirit of Christ into their home.

Some believe the origin goes back to Ancient Rome, where the wreaths were hung on doors to represent victory. Before the wreath became associated with Christmas, it was a prominent emblem of victory and power in ancient Greece and Rome.  We all know of the wreaths used at the Olympic games.

Another popular theory traces the wreath back to German folklore, where the wreath’s evergreen was used as a symbol of continuity and sustained life in the bleak winter months.

The custom of bringing evergreens home during the winter months among northern and eastern Europeans in the 16^th century, with Germans commonly credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition. During this period, pruning the tree was a part of the preparation process. “Limbs were often cut off in an attempt to make the tree more uniform in shape or to fit into a room,” Collins writes in his book. Instead of throwing the pieces of greenery away, the Europeans wove the excess into wreaths.  We now use Spruce, a very hardy tree that doesn’t drop it’s needles.

The branches were formed into a wheel-like shape partially for convenience’s sake, easy to make and hang but the shape was also significant as a representation of divine perfection. It symbolises eternity, as the shape has no end. This is brings a lovely meaning to the wreath ring.

Equally important was the material forming the wreaths — the evergreen tree. Evergreen trees were a species looked upon with awe and admiration, since they, unlike most living things, survived the harshness of winter. The trees appeared in abundance in northern and eastern Europe, and people brought them into their homes. “That was a symbol to them of power, of resilience, and in a way, of hope,” Collins says.  Who does need a bit of this?

Despite its widespread popularity today, the wreath started with humble beginnings. “We live in a throwaway culture,” says Collins. “The wreath was born out of not throwing things away.”

One of the downsides of making your own wreath is the needles can get everywhere as you strip and cut the branches!!  As you handle the foliage you might get a needle in your finger!!

Here’s some tips on dealing with a needle and splinter..

What to do if someone gets a needle or splinter in them

1. 1. Clean the affected area carefully with warm, soapy water.
   2. Hold the needle still. If the person with the splinter is a child, calm them down and hold the area firmly but carefully.
   3. Using tweezers, grasp the needle as close to the skin as possible without breaking it further.
   4. Pull the needle out smoothly, in line with the direction in which it entered the skin.
   5. Squeeze the area to force a drop of blood out. This should clean the injury of any nasties.
   6. Clean and dry the wound with warm, soapy water and cover it with a dressing.
   7. Check when the person with the splinter last had a tetanus vaccination and book a new one if they are no longer covered.
   8. In the case of a child, apply Christmas treats liberally – but not too liberally – to prevent excessive crying or sulking. (Optional)

 

 

 

The problem of splinters

 

Although this article is a little light-hearted, it deals with a serious subject. Splinters need to be removed from the body and the area cleaned as soon as possible to avoid swelling and septic reaction. Splinters left in the body can disintegrate, spread around the body and cause septicaemia or blood poisoning.

Back to the light side: This risk is tiny and in modern-day Britain with up-to-date healthcare, serious damage from a splinter is highly unlikely. It’s better to be safe than sorry though, so follow our steps to prevent any risk and have a merry Christmas!

To learn more about what to do in case of an accident, from a small splinter to something more serious why don’t you join one of our First Aid courses?