I usually buy a wreath when we buy our tree (last year it was made of dozens of rosehips and so pretty.) But this year, since we live in the shadows of firs & cedars, and I couldn't stop thinking about Amy's beautifully disheveled wreaths, I thought I'd gather things and attempt my own.
I made it in the midst of the the busiest time of year for us - a span of a few weeks in which nothing remotely festive will happen if you don't fight for it, tooth & nail (I know lots of you can relate.) I laid down some kraft paper, hauled in my branches & berries, made some hot chocolate (gifted from one of my favorite girls), put on the Charlie Brown Christmas album, and wreathed myself into oblivion.
I didn't have anything to use as a base, so it was a tricky proposition (my first two attempts ended up being repurposed as lengths of garland.) Finally, though, I had something close to what I had imagined - a cheerily unkempt little wreath. I love how un-fussy it is, without trading exuberance -- I cannot do austere Christmas, no sir.
Now it's keeping company with lots of white lights, and the failed attempts & the little nicks on my hands were worth it. Just making it was a small gift in this mad-house time of year. And now I know a little more about making things with green things, which is always good.
PS: Thank you so very much for all of those overwhelmingly kind and generous comments & notes re: my XOXO talk! It makes me feel all the better about gathering my courage to do it.
Happiest December!
