Christmas means preparation – and handmade decorations always have an inimitable atmosphere. Kifli gives some tips to get started on your craft afternoons!

Making an Advent wreath at home

The Advent wreath symbolizes the countdown to Christmas, and according to tradition, the first candle should be lit on the first Sunday of December, four weeks before Christmas, and then a new one each week until the last candle is reached.
If you love being creative and can't wait for another excuse for a DIY project, grab a straw wreath base or pine branches, along with a handful of decorative dried ornaments, cones, and colorful ribbons, and start decorating alone or with a child.
You can attach the candles and small decorations to the wreath with a glue gun, liquid super glue, twine, thread, hairpins, or wire. If you choose the latter tool, heat one side of the wire and insert it into the base of the candle, then stick the other end into the wreath.

Ideas for candles

Many candles are available ready-made, and you can make them more exciting on the festive table by taking a stemmed glass, turning it upside down on the table, and placing a few small, colorful ornaments or a mini LED light string under the "glass globe" created, then placing the candle on the base on top.
We have another spectacular idea: glue cinnamon sticks along the sides of your candles and tie them with a nice bow.

If you want to make the candle yourself, not just the decoration, you'll need:

1. Wax (the shredded version melts the fastest)

2. Wick (preferably with a metal base)

3. Mold (you'll surely have a suitable container at home)

4. Pot or plastic bag (to melt the wax)

5. Skewer or clip (to hold the wick)

Place the wax in a pot or plastic bag and gradually heat it over the steam of hot water. Place the wick at the bottom of the mold, attach the end without the metal base to the skewer, then hold it with the clip, keep everything stable, and pour the wax into the mold. Let it cool and solidify, then at least half a day later, tap the mold against a hard surface, and the candle should slide out on its own.

Candles can be placed in pots, small plates, moss-lined boxes, jars, cups filled with cones, or anything else, not just on the wreath, as long as they stand securely in place. We don't want to switch to a mother hen mode, but we must state the obvious: never leave a burning candle unattended!

Those certain extras

You can also get extra snow spray and glitter, or small figurines to spice up your themed items, but keep it tasteful to avoid drowning in kitsch. Natural elements will always create a friendlier effect than the umpteenth injection-molded plastic, plus they offer a cheaper and eco-friendly solution.

But if you have no skill or patience for crafting and would rather buy some beautiful festive accessories and Christmas decorations ready-made, you can't go wrong with Butlers accessories.

 

Sources: 1,2,3