DIY poinsettia Advent wreaths

Advent wreaths featuring poinsettias are still not that well-known, so you should definitely read on if:

• you want to know when and why and who invented the Advent wreath and how this symbol of the Christmas season has changed over time.

• you’re looking for ideas for DIY poinsettia Advent wreaths in a variety of styles.  These include mini-poinsettia wreaths, cut poinsettia wreaths, hanging designs, upcycled ones and many more.

• you want to know how to care for your poinsettias so they still look their best in your DIY Advent wreath  weeks later.

Just interested in our DIY ideas and ready to create your own unique Advent wreath with poinsettias? Get started! Click here to go straight to Advent wreaths with poinsettias.

The history of the Advent wreath begins in 1839, long before ‘Last Christmas’ was on continuous loop in every supermarket. Back then, Johann Hinrich Wichern, a Protestant theologian from Hamburg, had an idea:  He wanted to speed up the waiting time until Christmas for the children in his orphanage. He made a wooden wreath with 24 candles. Every day he lit one, making it clear to the children how long they still had to wait until Christmas Eve. This was the birth of the Advent wreath.  Later, wreaths with four candles became increasingly popular, representing the four Sundays of Advent

The wooden wreath quickly became a wreath made of evergreen foliage. The tradition of using it in connection with Christmas goes back to the Nordic cultures. Even before the introduction of Christmas, Germanic tribes decorated their homes with evergreen branches to encourage the gods to bring back the sun and drive away the cold. This original tradition found its way into the Advent season and combined with the Christian symbolism of candles in the Advent wreath.

Today, an Advent wreath is one of the most important symbols of the run-up to Christmas.  There are now plenty of alternatives to the traditional wreath and in modern designs, evergreen foliage no longer forms an essential part of the display. In recent years, Poinsettia Advent wreaths have become increasingly popular. And no wonder because, with their magnificent bracts, these star-shaped flowers make this traditional festive decoration positively shine.

This Kokedama wreath is guaranteed to grab everyone’s attention, not only because the fourth candle has been left out, but also because of the floating moss balls planted with bright red mini poinsettias. It’s easy to make this unique centrepiece yourself. Find out how in our step-by-step photo series.

This Advent wreath, with pine cones framing a lush red poinsettia, strikes the right balance between rustic appeal and romantic charm.

In our video Poinsettia and pine cone Advent wreath you’ll see step by step how to make it. Go on, have a go!

Got an old springform cake tin in your kitchen cupboard? Don’t throw it away!

Upcycling can give classic Christmas decorations a modern twist. It takes just three minutes to watch this video Cake Tin Poinsettia Wreath to find out all you need to know about making a modern, red and white DIY Advent wreath using just a cake tin, mini poinsettias and moss.

This floating star-filled wreath is a space-saving alternative to the classic version.

It’s quick to make using a circular metal candleholder that matches your poinsettias. To make it, completely cover the metal frame with rosehip branches.

Then use wire to attach four flower tubes between the candleholders, fill the tubes with water and place apricot-coloured cut poinsettias in them. Finally, addmatching taper candles to the holders. Hang it up. Done!

• First, soak the foam ring by placing it on the surface of a bucket of water and letting it sink by itself. Don’t push down on it or it won’t soak properly.
• In the meantime, fill your vase with Christmas baubles.
• Remove the foam ring from the water and place the four candleholders in it at regular intervals.
• Cover the foam with moss, then place sprigs of the berried eucalyptus in it so they form lines.
• Place the cut poinsettia stems in clusters, being careful not to damage the coloured bracts.
• Finally, add candles to the holders and place the finished ring on the top of your vase.

When you cut the poinsettias, milky sap will leak out. To stop this, immediately after cutting, dip the stems first in hot water (about 60°C)  for about five seconds and then place straight into cold water. This important step will make your cut poinsettias last longer.

And now, some more upcycling, because it’s such a great alternative to the classic Advent wreath. Get your wool out; it’s time to crochet!

Here’s how to do it: Plant one mini poinsettia each in four small, cleaned-out food tins. Cover the compost with moss. Take four larger tins and fill with dry floral foam. Insert a spiked candleholder into each one, then add numbered candles from 1 to 4.

Top with more moss to cover the foam base layer. Now slip crocheted covers on over the tins. It’s fine if a metal rim remains visible.

Tip: Always use a safe-cut can opener to open the tins, so it won’t leave any sharp edges.

With this wreath in blush tones you place cut poinsettias close together in a circular floral foam frame. Christmas baubles and otheraccessories fill the centre of the wreath.

Add co-ordinating dried flowers and grasses, such as glixia and pink tinted lagurus, as well as coloured pussy willow (salix) twigs to give your wreath an on-trend boho look that’s so much more than just romantic.

Finish off by adding spiked candleholders and matching taper candles in dusky pink.

Poinsettias are low-maintenance potted plants and long-lasting as cut flowers. Just follow these tips to keep them looking their best in your wreath.

• Cut poinsettias

To make cut poinsettias last, you need to stop the milky sap escaping when you cut them. To do this, immediately after cutting, first dip the stems in hot (about 60°C ) for about five seconds and then place them in fresh, cold water straight away.

Then, always make sure your cut poinsettias – whether in flower tubes, a vase or floral foam – are always topped up with water and they will stay fresh for about two weeks. If they start to wilt, simply replace them with fresh stems.

Find out more about using cut poinsettias correctly in thisblog Poinsettias as cut flowers.

• Potted plants, mini poinsettias and poinsettia kokedamas.

As well as  enough light, warmth and a location protected from draughts, above all, poinsettias need regular watering. Never let the plant’s root ball dry out completely and make sure it doesn’t get waterlogged either.

For mini poinsettias, we recommend watering by immersion. Find more information on proper care in the article Mini poinsettias: gift ideas and care tips.