The Wreath of the Day is often chosen from among our quirkier designs, because they are such statement pieces. However, we fully decorated over 160 wreaths this year, and many are much more traditional, even stately, as the lovely wreath below demonstrates, with its red bow, gold and natural pine cones, juniper, magnolia leaves, and red glass balls. Many may be comforted to know we can do the classics well, too!
As many of you know, we discontinued offering fully decorated large wreaths in 2014 due to time constraints. Those who wished to order a large wreath (one constructed on a 16″ ring, fluffing to 31″ across) could buy one either plain or with a bow. We lost a handful of customers, but most were content to either downsize to a standard or opt for a large wreath with a magnificent bow. We did note, however, that many of our standard wreaths, once decorated, were actually quite substantial, and with embellishments could achieve a wingspan exceeding 27″ across, such as the beauty pictured below.
We were surprised this year by a special delivery box from our friends at The Lenox Hotel. General Manager Dan Donahue was especially pleased with the holiday wreath he ordered and stopped by to check out our operation. When he met the hard working volunteers he decided we needed a treat, and on Thursday, during our wrap up, along came Bloody Mary mix, lemons, celery, olives, Tabasco sauce, orange juice, and sparkling wine. We’ve never gone out in such style! Thank you to the Lenox. Below is a beautiful wreath made by the decorator who so impressed Dan.
We acquired some quirky new ribbon styles this year from a supplier on Albany Street, Hudson’s (www.hudsonboston.com). In some cases we were a bit wary of using these bows for customers we don’t know well. The pictured wreath, for instance, has a gold fringed bow which could look torn or damaged if you didn’t examine it closely. However, our designers love using something unique, and the fringe here was accented with Russian statice and dried yellow flowers.
Happiness is working at The First Lutheran Church of Boston. The space is simply ideal for our purposes – a semi-sheltered outdoor space for keeping the wreaths fresh but protected in inclement weather, a large workroom with attached kitchen, and a friendly and tolerant staff who put up with our noise and commotion for 4 1/2 days. Our special gratitude and thanks go to Pastor Ingo Dutzmann, who welcomes us each year with joy and love.
In 2013 we bit off a bit more than we could chew, and by the end of the fourth decorating day we were exhausted. We also worried that some of the last few wreaths we created were nothing more than perfunctory, and that our volunteers might re-think their future participation in an activity that was becoming quite stressful. This year we decided not to offer the “fully decorated large wreath” option, since those orders took the most time and skill to produce. As a result, the number of our fully decorated orders decreased to a reasonable level and each wreath was a joy to create. We thank all our customers for their understanding, and hope that the wreaths they received more than met their expectations. The example below is one of a set of four, with cream bows and all natural accents.
Many customers request all natural accents on their wreaths. Most of our material is gathered in yards, forests, and parks, but we do purchase some glass balls and glittery materials to give some wreaths “lift,” and we do spray paint when appropriate. All natural wreaths, however, will not have painted elements. The wreath shown below actually does have some artificial elements – the tiny pears on wires and the shiny red berries, which the designer felt added to the rhythm of the wreath. Since these decorations are low gloss, we felt the customer would approve.
Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. We create a number of Hanukkah wreaths each year, and one of the best is the wreath pictured below. Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and we wish one and all a joyous season.
Often the Co-Chair of The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s Twilight Garden Party, Jane Gnazzo, is out of state visiting family at Christmas, and isn’t home to enjoy a wreath, but this year she’s staying in Boston through the gubernatorial inauguration, and ordered a pair of fully decorated wreaths for her home. Since Jane is from Texas, our designer designed a Texas-style wreath – Bigger is Better – with yellow roses, red berries, and gold ivy to draw out the colors in the bow.
Sometimes we don’t know where our wreaths are destined to be hung, but in this instance we knew the matched pair would be hung on the doors of one of Back Bay’s most prestigious mansions, an imposing white stone structure on Commonwealth Avenue. Since the customer was also a new customer, we were eager to impress. The requested silver bows are not somber, but a cheerful polka dot, and the pearls, silver painted lotus pods, and silver tipped white pine lend a frosty look. Touches of red keep the wreath merry – there are small children to please here, as well.
