Yesterday was the first Advent and we still didn't have a wreath or centerpiece to light the first of the four candles. Each year here in Germany I promise my husband to make one and then realize I haven't done it once it rolls around. So at a traditional Christmas market, we found these lovely centerpieces and picked one out for our very own. Although I didn't grow up with this candle lighting countdown, my husband did and this is about developing traditions we enjoy and have meaning to our family.
My first reaction was "I could make this" which is the ultimate insult to vendors who have worked their butts off for months in preparation and then freeze their butts off selling them. But at heart I'm crafty and I can't help but suggest that you could make your very own if you are so inclined.
The hardest part is probably planning your "style." There were the "all white" ones that looked like winter wonderland, or the "dramatic" ones with deep plum candles and rusty stars all over them. We went with the old-fashioned red-white and gingerbread look.
Here's what you need: A rectangular hunk of floral foam; bark, moss, and/or cinnamon sticks to hide the outer walls of the foam;cedar boughs or moss to weave in and out of the candles at the top; pine cones as well as metal and/or wooden ornamentation for embellishment.
I would suggest some sort of flat tray or plate to hold it all from beneath. You can also use sparkle paints for your bark pieces and pine cones. Fake snow or glitter would be nice too. A little patience, a little hot glue to hold things in place and you have a lovely centerpiece to countdown and light your candles each of the four Sundays before Christmas!
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