Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas wreaths


The photo above is of Arlington National Cemetery. The wreaths are placed on 5000 graves by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington , Maine. The owner, Morill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992.
In 1992 he was faced with a surplus of wreaths and hearkened back to a memorable trip he'd taken to Arlington National Cemetery when he was 12-years old. He took the wreaths to Arlington from his business in Maine and laid them on the graves of 4,000 who are laid to rest there.

The next year he decided to plan on taking 5,000 wreaths and has been doing it ever since. He said that there were only a few volunteers the first year and it took them five or six hours to place the wreaths. Now, however, he has so many helpers each year that the work is done in about an hour.

The wreaths that I grew up with are the traditional "della Robbia" style inspired by Eighteenth-century engravings. Typical materials included apples, lemons, limes, oranges, pineapples, pomegranates, cranberries, bayberries, holly berries, chinaberries, rose hips, sumac berries, magnolia pods, lotus pods, milkweed pods, dried flowers, cotton bolls, rosemary, laurel, okra pods, dried cayenne peppers, mistletoe - as well as red cedar, red oak, boxwood, pine, fir, mountain laurel, magnolia, ivy.

Grapes, brussel sprouts and ivy  decorate the Charlton House

Apple Fan

William Lightfoot house

The linking of fruited "della Robbia" wreaths with Christmas and front doors seems to have started during the early years of this century in America's wealthier homes. It has become the popular wreath in the tidewater area of Virginia where I'm from. So my wife and I have continued to use these wreaths at our home in SC.

We don't use real fruit because that would rot quickly or be eaten by squirrels. Maybe even a deer would venture up the steps to take a bite of a real apple. We use holly berries, seed pods, pine cones, magnolia leaves, and oyster shells as well as some artificial fruit. I like these wreaths because they are made from mostly natural things and their simplicity to my eye is beautiful. Keep it simple works with decorations too.

Just sharing some Christmas tradition with you today in the spirit of the season.

19 comments:

  1. How simply beautiful! Thank you for the gift! Gorgeous. Merry Christmas!

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  2. My Grandfather and Grandmother are buried at Arlington. I had no idea they did this. What wonderful memories I have of them. Thanks for sharing this.

    Namaste

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  3. Syd. I cannot tell you how much your post has meant to me. The last sentence " Sharing the Spirit of the Season". Just what I needed right at this moment. All the seasons blessings to you and your loved ones. Take great care of yourselves. And thank you once again.

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  4. My son has several buddies buried at Arlington! To know that a bunch of "someones" does this every year just touches my heart soooo much! Thanks for this beautiful post! BTW, I love the info on the Della Robbia style wreaths! I've always heard about them and in fact, I believe I've seen them for sale. Blessings to you and yours Syd! Lisa

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  5. I was at Arlington last fall. My first visit. It was a rainy day with lots of wet leaves about the graves. I will never forget the sight of looking down from a hill at the rows of white markers. Something every American should do once.

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  6. Thats just so inspiring Syd, thanks for that just so in with Christmas, I have got my fairy lights up flashing away and we found our tree in the woods.
    As for Zeitgeist, I have to agree, this vision of utopia could never work!

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  7. Wonderful pictures Syd and Have a great Holiday!

    Cat

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  8. I love the story about the wreaths. That is awesome. Very pretty pics and a great post. Thanks Syd.

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  9. Your post brought tears to my eyes...(The happy kind). I loved your sharing about the wreaths and plan to send an email of thanks to Mr. Worcester if I can find his address.
    To answer your question on my blog, it has suddenly turned very cold in my area of NC...but still lovely and NO SNOW !
    All the best for the Holiday Season to you and your wife, Syd.

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  10. What a wonderful post...thank you for the reminder of the gifts of the season and the joy. Thank you Syd!
    G

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  11. I'm so glad you posted the wreaths at Arlington it's just breath taking isn't it?

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  12. When I lived in North Carolina, I decorated my apartment's balcony and front door with della Robbia wreaths and garland. It was gorgeous. We didn't win the community's decorating contest, though. Not enough tacky Santas and flashing lights. *sigh*

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  13. the cemetry took my breath away...

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  14. Those are really nice. I haven't seen too many with fruit as their primary make-up.

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  15. Very pretty. And very different from what I am used to. It is amazing to think about the vast regional differences in these United States.

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  16. Thanks for the special post on holiday wreaths. Happy Holidays!

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  17. wow.That was somthing!
    We have a little wreath on our door but I never gave it much thought - until now.

    BTW-you share the spirit of the season year round! thank you :)

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  18. I always find those war-dead memorials very very sad...

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.