Reeds

Christmas centerpieces are already an inseparable element of every holiday. They decorate the table on Christmas Eve, we put them on chests of drawers and shelves, fasten them to windows, doors or handrails. We can also decorate offices, offices and workplaces with them. These little details matter more than you might imagine. Their presence constantly reminds us of the holidays and how special this time is. They make Christmas not just in one room with a big Christmas tree, but a reality that surrounds us wherever we are. In addition, they simply look beautiful and have a positive effect on the mood. Especially those that smell.

Where did the idea for creating Christmas centerpieces come from?

It turns out that the Christmas centerpieces come from the same country as the Christmas tree itself – from Germany. At that time, however, they were called “Advent wreath”. The idea of ​​the Evangelical pastor Johann Hinrich Wicherna from 1839 was to make his charges more pleasant for the Advent waiting for Christmas. In Hamburg, where he was serving, he ran an orphanage. He really wanted the children living there to be able to enjoy at least a little bit of home warmth. In the same year, during Advent, he decided to decorate the table in the local common room, arranging 24 circular worlds on a wooden structure. They symbolized the number of days that remained until the holidays. Each day a different child lit another candle. This idea spread among the Hamburg community. The wooden plate with candles itself seemed too gloomy, with time it was decorated with branches of coniferous trees. Years later, the number of candles decreased as the custom of counting 4 consecutive Sundays of Advent became common. The very idea of ​​a reed, however, although it changed forms, has survived to this day. The very idea of ​​a reed, however, although it changed forms, has survived to this day.

It turns out that the original form of the reed (or the Advent wreath) was not accidental. The round, closed shape was to symbolize the infinity of God – that is, someone who has neither beginning nor end. In turn, the green branches symbolized the eternal life that Jesus born on this holiday was supposed to provide. The German pastor apparently knew what he was doing.

What types of reeds are there?

There is really no strict typology of Christmas centerpieces. Each of them is a small work of art that contains a part of its creator. Each client also has a different taste and selects the reeds that they like and which will work best in their home. Many choose the classic – a candle, surrounded by a wreath of twigs or cones. It can be enriched with baubles, figurines, beads, stars. Others prefer reeds in a basket, on a plate, and others in a vase. Sometimes they are large, even live, reeds based on a real pine or fir seedling. Another time, very small, symbolic trinkets – a twig with one bell and a Christmas ornament, pinned to a stair railing or a mirror, for example. Reeds can be more or less elaborate – a different number of candles, figurines of biblical characters, snowmen or animals from the stable. The twigs can be gilded, silver-plated, decorated with artificial snow or come in various shades of green needles. The centerpieces certainly include popular Christmas wreaths, iconic door and window decorations. In fact, we are only limited by our imagination, taste and space in the apartment.

Are plastic reeds worth using?

Most of the reeds that we can buy in the store are made of artificial materials. This applies not only to figurines, stars or baubles, but also to the twigs themselves. Are these reeds worse than those with natural needles? Certainly, live shoots look more natural, add climate and sometimes smell beautiful with resin. Unfortunately, such needles are prickly and fall off the reed over time, depriving the reed of its aesthetics. Branches made of plastic also look beautiful, and at the same time are safe and practical. They do not sting, do not attract dust and can be used for many years. The materials from which the reeds are made are often 100% recyclable, and are often enriched with natural additives – e.g. cones, dried flowers or fruit. The paraffin from which the candle is made can also be reused. Plastic Christmas decorations are therefore not dangerous for the household members and the environment. However, they look beautiful, thanks to the original ideas of their creators.

Christmas centerpieces – is it better to buy or make it yourself?

Reeds we make ourselves have the greatest sentimental and family importance for us. We simply will never forget which holidays we prepared them for and with whom. Creating your own reeds is not only about learning manual skills or showing off your artistic skills. Above all, it is time and heart put into making Christmas a special and family time. Often, home-made reeds consist of decorations that we cannot use on the Christmas tree. This does not mean, however, that the reeds from the stores are worse in anything. Often we do not have time to prepare proper reeds or we do not have enough skills. Reeds from the store are made of high-quality, durable materials and designed by artists. We have a much larger selection of individual models in terms of design, colors, sizes and decoration methods. So which Christmas centerpieces should you choose? It depends only on us. In the case of hand-made, we gain shared memories and nice time. The ones from the store are less sentimental, although not necessarily – perhaps we will just notice a headdress that we would never have come across on our own. And it is he who will be remembered by us. It’s good we have a choice.