About Evergreen Wreaths
Evergreen wreaths not only create a festive atmosphere but they also provide a warm and inviting welcome to visitors. A beautifully crafted evergreen wreath gracing your home adds just the right spirit. The decorations are especially useful during the holidays, when traditional wreaths of all shapes and sizes can be seen on front doors, barn doors, fence posts, garage doors and mailboxes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Evergreen wreaths come in varying sizes and styles. While artificial material that has the look and texture of a real evergreen tree is a popular material for holiday wreaths, there's no substitution for a fresh cut, handcrafted evergreen wreath. Created and designed by professional crafters, these wreaths are made using boughs cut from live trees.
Many types of evergreens are used for natural wreath making, including Douglas and noble firs, cedar, juniper, grand and subalpine firs, Virginia pine, white fir, holly, Leyland cypress, Scotch pine, and white and blue spruces.
The type of tree boughs used can vary depending on the region where the wreaths are crafted. Tree farms that offer handcrafted wreaths will have their own evergreen tree sources available to their area, while other wreath sellers may have their materials shipped to them from different regions.
Eucalyptus is also used to create holiday wreaths but, unlike traditional fresh evergreen wreaths, dried eucalyptus stems can be used throughout the year to create seasonal wreaths. Dried eucalyptus wreaths cannot be placed outside unless the area is completely protected from the elements and direct sunlight.
Benefits
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Decorating with fresh evergreen wreaths brings the natural look, feel and fragrance of the outdoors to your home. If properly maintained by avoiding conditions that can dry out the boughs and providing frequent misting to the evergreens, the wreaths should last throughout the holiday season.
Evergreen wreaths can be ordered or purchased at local tree farms or through online stores providing fresh cut wreaths. You can also make your own. Check with local retailers or community organizations that are selling Christmas trees, as they will most likely have a good selection of boughs that have been trimmed from the trees they're selling.
Ordering a handcrafted wreath ensures that it will be fully decorated and ready to display. Advantages of making your own wreath are that the whole family can help with decorating and it can be less expensive.
There is no storage necessary for an evergreen wreath, and they can be recycled in the same way as cut Christmas trees, which is good for the environment.
Planting your own evergreen tree will add beauty to the landscape and provide food to different species of birds and wildlife. As the tree matures, it will also provide fresh boughs for making your own wreaths. -
Size
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Sizes vary, allowing for multiple uses of evergreen wreaths. For example, a miniature or small wreath that can range between three and six inches is perfect for decorating with miniature pine cones and ornaments to give as a gift, hang in a kitchen window, display at the office or bring holiday cheer to any area that's in need of decorating.
Medium to large evergreen wreaths are the standard for front doors and picture windows. These wreaths usually range between 24 and 28 inches but can be larger.
Before ordering a wreath, measure the door or window area to ensure there will be adequate room for it to be displayed.
Considerations
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Quality, freshness, selection, convenience, speed of service and reliable shipping are key factors when ordering freshly cut handcrafted wreaths.
When placing an order for an evergreen wreath, whether online or through a local tree farm, it's important to allow plenty of time for the wreath to be crafted and shipped. Where you order the wreath from and what region you live in will determine the number of days it will take for it to arrive.
Along with the arrival date, it's helpful to know how the wreath will be packed for shipment to ensure it's not damaged and to know which shipping method is used -- UPS, USPS or FedEx. All services do not deliver on the weekend and in some cases, packages will not be delivered without someone being home to sign for the delivery.
Because the wreath has been confined for several days during shipping, it is important to unpack it as soon as possible. Hang the wreath in a cool area and lightly mist the evergreens.
Warning
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Protect fresh wreaths by keeping them out of direct sunlight or near sources of heat, such as fireplaces and heating vents, as this will cause discoloration and deterioration of the evergreens.
If placing the wreath on the front door, be sure the wreath can breathe and is not enclosed between a front door and glass or storm door. This type of double enclosure will hold in heat and cause deterioration.
Keep the wreath moist by misting it every two to three days to keep the evergreens supple and fragrant.
Holly berry trees are part of the evergreen family and make beautiful wreaths, but along with the holly leaves having very sharp tips, the red berries are toxic. Use caution around the pointed tips. Keep the berries away from children and pets, both while the berries remain on the wreath and as they begin to dry and fall off.
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