Soon it's the first Advent – and here come the wreaths from classic to extravagant

The days are getting shorter, and the dark season has begun. The first frosts have already ensured that winter outfits dominate the wardrobe, and the rainy, cold November has arrived. What keeps most people going right now is the beautiful thought of the soon-to-arrive Christmas season. And it’s closer than you think. Because between the end of the last autumn month and the beginning of December, the first Advent is guaranteed to come. It’s better to double-check when it falls this year. Why? Because the Advent wreath needs to be ready on time!

No problem, even with little time. Just go for the classic version. If you can get the greenery from your own garden—so much the better! Making it yourself doesn’t take much effort. Cut the fir branches, place them on a standard wreath base, and secure them with wire. Adding four candles is also quick. Already, just their color will make your wreath unique. Even more so, the decoration adds a personal touch. Plants with bright berries, such as firethorn, now get their moment to shine. Just a few small branches can liven up the wreath. Ivy is also not just good for beautifying facades; it has another role as wreath decoration. Christmas ornaments, matching the candles, complete the look. Depending on your taste, you can add figures of all kinds to the fresh greenery. Ribbons made of fine fabrics or even pearls are becoming more and more popular, casually but artfully added. Do you still have fruits left from your walnut tree? Place them in the empty center, along with oranges or apples.

The green classic can be combined with all colors. Elegant white with silver is increasingly in demand. But it can also sparkle and shine in gold. A quick spray, and the branches shimmer in a metallic tone. Children love wreath ingredients that are colorful and filled with many small details, often including sweet treats. For those who prefer the complete opposite, minimalist style, you can stick with decorating with branches of the purple berry or similar plants, adding a few yellow and red decorative apples.

But you can also create a stately Advent wreath from entirely different botanical materials. Those who have sage in their garden know the aromatic scent of this medicinal plant. Even when dried, the leaves with their fuzzy surface do not hold back their fragrance. Wrap them around the base while still fresh, preferably in lush bundles. Small wooden animals, nuts, and, of course, all types of berries go perfectly with this. Rose owners can also make use of their beautiful rose hips. A second plant not only appeals to the eye but also to the nose. Eucalyptus branches create an extraordinary Advent wreath. They are a bit stubborn, so it’s no shame to ask for some help when wrapping them. The result will be impressive with its unique appearance and enchanting fragrance.

All well and good, some flower lovers may think, but is there an Advent wreath with actual flowers? Oh yes! Place four candles in the center of a cork or wooden plate and surround them with the dried blooms of the magnificent hydrangea. Here’s a tip: Cut the stems several centimeters below the flower at an angle and remove the leaves. Then place them in a mixture of one part glycerin and three parts water. Let the water evaporate. The glycerin will then naturally be absorbed into the flowers, preserving them. The vibrant colors will remain intact! If you don't have this impressive plant in your garden yet – you can always add it.

Not for me, say the succulent collectors? Then create a wreath from dry soil and jute. Simply cut holes into the sturdy material, and your fleshy plant favorites will fit right in. They don’t have to be the spiky ones, after all.