Making a traditional Advent wreath
Karin from Obermichelerhof farm in Vöran shows us how to craft a wreath out of natural materials.
There's no Advent without an Advent wreath - at least here on farms in South Tyrol. Karin from Obermichelerhof farm in Vöran shows us how to craft a wreath out of natural materials.
You don't need much to make a traditional Advent wreath. You will find all you need from the surrounding area: freshly cut branches from forest fir trees and a simple straw wreath as a base. It's this simplicity that makes wreathes so special.
First, cut the branches into twigs and place them together to form small bundles. Then, bind these tightly to the straw wreath with a slim green wire, always working in the same direction so that they will lie flat and look uniform on the wreath later on.
The Advent wreath may be decorated with rosehips, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, fir buds, walnuts or simple ribbons. Four candles then sit on the top.
When the wreath is ready and has taken its place in the farmhouse, Advent can begin. Every week a candle is lit - a quiet sign that Christmas is coming.
When the first hoarfrost descends on the meadows in the mornings, a special time begins on South Tyrol's farms. Advent is coming - quiet, earthy, full of sweet anticipation and lived tradition. One of the nicest preparations for Christmas is making Advent wreathes with fir branches, just as generations have done before. When the wreath is made, the light of four candles will signal the festive season drawing closer, week by week.
