While we were at Montpelier, the kids went crazy with the magnolia seed pods.  (At least I think that's what they are.) I suggested they save them for Colonial Williamsburg Christmas wreaths. My friend loved the idea! 

Even though I have a book on Colonial Williamsburg Christmas wreaths (which I purchased at Half Price Books for a few dollars, that's how I afford a lot of this stuff)...

...and I have collected pictures from magazines on Colonial Williamsburg Christmas wreaths...these are from Southern Living a few years ago...

and here are some from Tea Time a couple of years ago...

...and here are some from Paula Deen's 2008 Christmas issue...

...the idea of natural Christmas wreaths on the front door did not originate with  Colonial Williamsburg.  In the 1930's, when Williamsburg was being restored to its colonial past, there was a dilemma with Christmas. The residents in the homes were decorating with new fangled electric lights and Santa Clauses. Hmmmm, that didn't feel very historic in an area that was being restored to its previous Colonial splendor. A look back to the past revealed a few decorating hints.

     Building on tradition from England, Virginians in the 18th century decorated for Christmas lightly. Historically, decorating with greenery began with ancient cultures in the depths of winter. Eventually the custom spread to the early Roman church, and later to England.  Not all English colonies decorated for Christmas. The Puritans of New England kept Christmas as a purely religious day, whereas Virginians celebrated Christmas with greenery and fesitivities.

     Knowing that there was some greenery for the holidays in Virginia was foundational.  The only hard historical evidence of greenery were some prints that showed some greenery here and there. Most distinctive from our use of greenery today was a bit of holly in the window panes. That might not be enough to entice residents to replace electric lights and Santas for a historical Christmas feel.

     Building on the history of the past, the CW staff looked to the Colonial Revival movement of the early 20th century, which was encouraging decorating with the use of greenery and other natural elements, like using real fruit.  Even though no colonist in his right mind would use real fruit to decorate wreaths for the front door, CW ran with the idea.  The residents were enticed to decorate with historic undertones of using greenery and natural elements for a decorating contest. It was a hit! The decorating contest continues today.  Current residents of CW can apply for the contest in one of two categories: professional and amateur.  These are judged and prizes are given. Today these creative and gorgeous wreaths bedeck the CW doorways, not only for all the guests, but also fill holiday publications for the rest of America. I've been collecting them for years!

     You can see a nice video on how Colonial Williamsburg does the wreaths at the December 1, 2008 podcast.  Like the garden staff, it is time to collect interesting natural elements.  What kid doesn't enjoy walking through the outdoors and collecting interesting looking things? So far my kids have seed pods and oyster shells.  I have the seed pods stored in a plastic container until next December when we'll pull out our collections and get creative!

     For specific directions on how to make the wreaths, here is some guidance.   In the meantime, enjoy the process of collecting natural elements now.  Then in December we'll all have to post pictures of our wreaths!