Austrian tradition: the Adventskranz (advent wreath)

The Adventskranz (translation: Advent wreath) is an Austrian and German (and maybe Swiss) tradition to celebrate the upcoming Christmas. Normally it’s a wreath made out of pine branches with always 4 candles. Those candles symbolize the 4 Sundays before Christmas. On the first Sunday you light the first candle, on the second 2 candles and so on. You might remember that I made one before and shared it here.

This year I made a little adjustment to the classic wreath and made one with moss and Lunaria Annua as the silver leaves are called. It’s easily made in one afternoon and it looks still great when dried completely. You can find the whole tutorial in German here on Alpenwelt.

What you need for your own moss advent wreath:

• a straw wreath
• fresh moss
• 4 white candles
• beechnuts and pine cones
• golden spray paint
• news paper or any other scrap paper
• 4 nails
• a burner (or candle)
• tongs
• a branch of Lunaria Annua
• tiny branches
• golden wire

First put the paper on your work space. Take the moss and wrap it around the straw wreath with the golden wire.

Take some more paper to spread on your work place to spray paint. Take the pine cones and beechnuts and paint them golden.

While they’re drying, take the nails and heat the end with the head with the burner or candle. Melt the nail into the bottom of the four candles.

Take some leaves off the Lunaria Annua and make a string with some golden wire.

Now take the moss wreath. Stick the nailed candles in it. Wrap some wire around your golden accessoires and place them on the wreath.

Wrap the Lunaria Annua around and place the tiny branches in the middle. Make sure they’re not right above the flame once you light the candles.

It’s a really nice tradition as when I was a child we used to sing and just have some quality time with the family. Gathering around a fire – as you will.

A few years ago when I was studying I had this tradition with friends that we meet every Sunday and eat cookies, play games and drink tea.

I remember both fondly and I’ll thinking about continuing this with my friends this year.

If you haven’t done so already: why not try making a wreath this year. You can never have enough candle light at home!

What tradition do you have to celebrate the arrival? Anything you like to share?

Now. Carry on!

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