Advent Candle Wreath Ideas You Can Make
Advent candle wreath ideas with the meaning of the four candles, step-by-step DIY instructions, colour variations and safety tips for a beautiful centrepiece.
An advent candle wreath is one of the oldest and most meaningful Christmas traditions, and it is also one of the prettiest centrepieces you can make. Each Sunday in December you light one more candle, and the glow grows week by week as Christmas gets closer. Here are advent candle wreath ideas, the meaning behind the candles, and simple steps to make your own.
What do the four advent candles mean?
Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The wreath traditionally holds four candles, one for each Sunday, and sometimes a fifth white candle in the middle for Christmas Day.
In many traditions the candles stand for:
- Hope – the first Sunday.
- Peace – the second Sunday.
- Joy – the third Sunday, often the pink or rose candle.
- Love – the fourth Sunday.
The circle of the wreath represents eternity, and the evergreen branches stand for life that lasts through winter. Even if you are not religious, the weekly ritual of lighting a candle is a lovely way to slow down during a busy month.
Traditional colour choices
- Purple and pink: three purple candles and one pink. This is the most traditional version in many churches.
- Red: four red candles, common in parts of Europe, especially Germany and Scandinavia.
- White: all white or ivory candles for a simple, modern look.
- Blue: some churches use blue to represent hope and waiting.
Choose whatever feels right for your home. There is no wrong answer for a family wreath.
How to make a DIY advent candle wreath
What you need
- A wreath base (foam ring, grapevine ring or a metal frame), about 30 to 40 cm across
- Fresh or faux evergreen branches: fir, pine, cedar or eucalyptus
- Four pillar or taper candles, plus an optional fifth for the centre
- Candle holders or candle spikes
- Floral wire and wire cutters
- Decorations: pinecones, red berries, dried oranges, holly, ribbon
Step 1: Prepare the base
If you are using fresh greenery, soak a floral foam ring in water first so the branches last longer. For faux greenery, a dry foam or grapevine base is fine.
Step 2: Place the candles
Decide where the four candles go before adding greenery. Space them evenly around the ring. Push in candle spikes or set metal holders into the base. This makes sure the candles stand straight and stable.
Step 3: Add the greenery
Cut branches into pieces about 10 to 15 cm long. Push them into the base at an angle, all facing the same direction around the ring. Overlap them so no base shows through. Keep greenery a safe distance from the candle flames.
Step 4: Add decorations
Wire in pinecones, then berries, then any extras. Group things in threes for a natural look. Dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks smell wonderful.
Step 5: Finish
Add a bow, or tie ribbon around each candle. Step back and fill any gaps.
Advent candle wreath ideas
Rustic pinecone wreath
Red pillar candles, a grapevine base, lots of pinecones and holly. Warm and traditional.
Scandinavian white wreath
White candles, eucalyptus, dried white flowers and a few wooden beads. Calm and modern.
Candles on a tray
No wreath base? Set four candles on a wooden or brass tray and surround them with greenery and berries. It is quicker and very forgiving.
Long table runner version
Line four candles down the middle of a table and lay garland around them. Works well for long dining tables.
Glass hurricane wreath
Place each candle inside a glass hurricane so the flame is protected. Surround the glasses with greenery. This is the safest option for homes with children.
Purple and gold
Three purple and one pink candle with gold accents and gold berry picks. Traditional but a little glamorous.
Safety tips
Real flames and dry greenery need care:
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Keep greenery several centimetres below the top of the candle, and trim it back as the candles burn down.
- Use fresh greenery and mist it with water every few days.
- Place the wreath on a heat-proof tray or plate.
- Consider LED candles if you have children or pets.
Styling your advent wreath as a centrepiece
Your wreath can live on the dining table, a coffee table or a sideboard all through December. On a table, keep it low so people can talk across it. Add a few small votives around it for extra glow. If you are setting a festive table, our Christmas table setting ideas show how to build the rest of the table around it.
Starting a family tradition
The simplest traditions are often the ones families keep. Choose a regular time, perhaps Sunday dinner. Light the candles together, say a few words or read something short, and let a child take a turn with the matches (with help). Some families add a small treat or a short reading for each week. Over the years it becomes a moment everyone looks forward to.
The meaning of the Advent wreath
The Advent wreath is a tradition that marks the four Sundays before Christmas. Traditionally, it holds four candles in a circle of evergreen, with a fifth candle in the centre lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
- The circle represents eternity.
- The evergreens symbolise life and hope.
- The four candles are lit one more each Sunday.
- The colours are often three purple and one pink, though many families choose white, red or other colours.
Whether you observe Advent for religious reasons or simply enjoy the countdown, lighting a candle each week is a lovely ritual.
Making your own Advent wreath
Supplies
- A wreath base or flat tray
- Four candle holders or pillar candles
- Fresh or faux greenery
- Floral wire
- Decorative touches: pine cones, berries, dried oranges, ribbon
Steps
- Place the base on a heat-safe tray.
- Space the four candles evenly.
- Add greenery around the base, securing with wire.
- Tuck in pine cones, berries or other decorations.
- Add the centre candle if you are using one.
Candle safety at a glance
Candles and dry greenery can be a fire risk.
- Never leave candles unattended.
- Keep greenery away from flames.
- Use a heat-proof base.
- Replace fresh greenery as it dries out.
- Consider LED candles if you have children or pets.
Making Advent a family tradition
Add a little routine to the weekly candle lighting: read a short passage or story, sing a carol, or share what you are looking forward to. Children can take turns lighting or blowing out the candle.
One last tip
Choose candles that will last the whole season. The first candle burns four times, the last only once, so tall pillars in the first position stop the wreath looking lopsided by the final week. Trimming wicks to a quarter inch before each lighting reduces smoke and makes the candles burn more evenly.
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FAQ
When do you start lighting the advent wreath?
On the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In 2026 the first Sunday of Advent falls on 29 November.
What is the fifth candle for?
The centre white candle, sometimes called the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
How long does a fresh advent wreath last?
About two to four weeks if you keep the greenery moist and away from heaters.
An advent wreath is part decoration and part ritual. Make it once, and you may find that lighting those four candles becomes one of your favourite parts of December.
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Some posts may contain affiliate links; see our disclosure. Photography: Helena Jankovičová Kováčová; Letícia Alvares; Helena Jankovičová Kováčová; Markus Spiske; Bastian Riccardi; Ioana Motoc via Pexels.
