On the Second Day of a Feminine Christmas
One of the nicest things about Christmas is the wreath on your front door. And others’ wreaths too, which are so fun to see as you travel through hill and dale during the holiday season. Even if someone doesn’t want a Christmas tree, they will still perch a wreath at their welcoming entrance as a nod to the holiday. I enjoy checking out my neighbors light displays on cold winter nights but I really enjoy wreath-spotting during the day.
This year I decided to create a Della Robbia wreath, partly because my grandmother often made reference to them. She discovered these festive Christmas trimmings at Colonial Williamsburg where the tradition began. But it’s important to note that the beautiful wreaths, adorned with clusters of seasonal fruits, vegetables, berries and other natural materials are named after the Della Robbia family of Florence.
The Robbia’s were Italian artists of the Renaissance whose famous glazed sculptures were depicted with seasonal vegetation and flowers in elaborate detail. Williamsburg’s designers-in-residence came to embellish their wreaths in a similar style in the 20th century and it caught on and became known as the Della Robbia Wreath and also the Colonial Williamsburg Wreath.
Over the years, my style in Christmas decorating has become more natural and a wreath decorated with such simplicity appealed to me. I love the bright “fruit” and greenery that I used to highlight what was just a plain evergreen garland.
3 Comments
Tracy
How beautiful your wreath is!
My front door is blue also but a little less vibrant with a hint of purple. It is more of a blue hydrangea color.
I find it works for most seasons, but it seems does not pair well with my red/green/gold Christmas theme.
Your wreath sets the blue off nicely and looks very “Williamsburg” and classical.
I will have to try something similar.
Funny and timely that you speak of wreaths.
While it’s still warm enough to walk outside sometimes here, I pass the houses and look at the different wreaths on doors (since it is daylight and Christmas lights are sleeping) to help with the tedium that walks for exercise can produce.
Some are inspired, some not so much.
Either way I am glad people take the time to honor Christmas, like you.
Dana
Such a beautiful wreath! I live in a very old Colonial house and find so much inspiration from Colonial Williamsburg. Like you, I prefer more natural and simple holiday decorations with lots of fresh greenery. Would love to try fresh fruit on a wreath but a bit concerned that it would be raided by the squirrels that nest in the old oak tree not too far from my front door! Loving these feminine Christmas posts.
Karen
What a stunning wreath! I love that style and remember it from the 1960s when it was very popular. The simplicity and the naturalness of it is so refreshing in today’s elaborate current Las Vegas-style atmosphere that seems to prevail. I love the thought of your carrying on a tradition your grandmother instituted. And since I am a huge fan of colonial Williamsburg, it’s even more delightful to me. It’s inspiring to see how some of the beauty of God’s creation can welcome in the season centered on the birth of His Son. Beautiful!