Wreaths were used by ancient civilizations for head and neck adornment. The Greeks and Romans began using them as a reward for victory. It is supposed the contestants took their wreaths home and hung them on a door or wall. Common people made wreaths out of available natural materials for adornment and then to perfume their homes or welcome their guests and sometimes to honor their dead.

The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.

Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, until the lighting of the fifth candle takes place on Christmas Eve. It represents Jesus Christ being born.

Today wreaths are generally made for decoration. Homeowners use them to welcome their guests at holiday time by hanging them on their walls or doors. They always add a warm and festive touch to a home or office. Christmas wreaths are usually made out of evergreen leaves and are finished with a variety of holiday decorations that symbolize life, cheer and hospitality.