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Deck the halls!

With Christmas comes the joys of decking the halls and decorating the home with all manner of baubles, tinsel, garlands and colourful adornments, either homemade or shop bought. Many front doors will display beautiful wreaths, a tradition connected to Christianity, where the circular shape represents ‘eternal life’ and during the 16th century, ‘Advent Wreaths’ were traditionally made of evergreens (also symbolising eternal life) plus holly and red berries, which represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus. These advent wreaths also traditionally held four candles representing the elements of hope, love, joy and peace and were lit in sequence over the festive period on the four Advent Sundays.

Wreath making has become a big part of Christmas preparations and they come in a huge variety of styles and materials including fabric, foliage, fairy lights and feathers. If you’re confident making something at home (there are lots of ‘make at home’ kits or we love a YouTube video!), you can save quite a bit of pocket money. Alternatively, there are plenty of crafting events in the area where you can make a real festive occasion of it and invite friends along to enjoy creating over a glass of fizz. From natural pinecones and wooden twigs that can be foraged locally, to home baked festive fruit or herbs & spices like cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus or sage, there are all sorts of natural materials and decorations to help you fill out your masterpiece.

Here are our top 5 wreath-making events in the area if you’re visiting Ross-on-Wye over the festive period and fancy taking home a seasonal souvenir.

1. Heavenly Homes & Gardens

Located on the High Street right opposite the Market House, Heavenly Homes & Gardens is a gorgeous Aladdin’s cave full of home and garden ware at any time of year but it really comes into its own over the festive period. The shop’s range of scented candles, glass tea light holders and hanging lanterns is second to none and the swathe of colourful faux flowers and festive foliage decorating the shop front will grab your eye as you pass on the pavement. This year, Jade and the team are holding their first Christmas wreath-making workshops in Ross-on-Wye on the 28 and 30 November or, if you prefer, you can contact them to book in your own private event with friends.

Lasting around 2 hours, the workshops, starting at 6pm, and are held at the shop on the High Street and include a glass of fizz or two. You’ll enjoy a fabulous festive evening making a luxury Christmas wreath on a moss base with a range of materials including Nordic pine, eucalyptus, herbs, berries, olive branches, dried fruit and ribbon.

  • Location: Heavenly Homes & Gardens, 35 High Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HD
  • Further details: enquiries@heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk / 01989 567302 / www.heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk

2. Dor’s Garden

The lovely Stacy from Dor’s Garden on the High Street is not only offering ‘make at home’ wreath kits this year in three winter themes (Berry, Snow & Woodland) but she’s running her seasonal workshops onsite where you can make a fabulous show-stopping creation for your front door. Stacy will guide you through the hour-long session decorating your own Christmas wreath where you’ll be provided with a wonderful noble fir base, made in store, and an array of foraged & dried foliages, dried fruits, berry picks and ribbons to choose from. No experience is required and all materials are included in the price (£50 per person including fizz and mince pies).

Other Christmas workshops at Dor’s Garden include creating festive Glass Centre Bowls and Candle Table Centrepieces – perfect for your Christmas table and will bring additional sparkle to the proceedings.

  • Location: 6 High Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HL
  • Further details: visit www.dorsgarden.co.uk or email info@dorsgarden.co.uk

3. Flowers & Gifts by Laura Jane

Talented florist Laura Jane, from Flowers & Gifts by Laura Jane, is holding a series of wreath-making and table decoration classes in both Cinderford and at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club. Classes of around 20 people are being held throughout November and December and promise to be a lot of fun. Using plenty of natural foliage, pinecones, berries, dried fruit and cinnamon with some festive haberdashery to set off the final creations, Laura Jane will guide you through the process and the cost of £50 per person includes a lovely warming bowl of soup, roll and festive biscuits (Ross-on-Wye events only).

Wreath-making Workshops will take place at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club on Thursday 30 November and Tuesday 5 December (or Friday 8 December in Lydney) and festive Table Decoration Workshops will take place on Saturday 16 and Tuesday 19 December in the Forest of Dean and on Thursday 21 December from 11am to 1pm at Ross-on-Wye Golf Club (£35 including soup and a roll).

4. Art Studio Ross

For something a little different – and perfect for children and families – join Sarah at one of her workshops in the Art Studio on the High Street where you can create beautiful fabric Christmas wreaths. The studio will be open throughout the season and on Sunday 26 November during the town’s Christmas Fayre, Sarah will be opening her studio from 11am to 4pm for families of up to 4 people, where you can spend up to half an hour creating a bespoke piece to take home. Fabric wreaths are a great eco-friendly option and can be used for many Christmases to come – and for just £10 per family, we think that’s a wonderful way to spend some family time this season!

  • Location: 38 High Street, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5HD
  • Further details: www.artstudioross.co.uk or email artstudioross@outlook.com

5. Wye Organic

Wye Organic, a lovely local eco-friendly business, will be holding several wreath making workshops this year using materials grown and gathered from their very own farm located just outside of Ross-on-Wye. The workshops will take place at two venues – Goodrich Village Hall and Camperdown Lane – on dates in November and December. Using all natural foliage, they will provide cones, berries, feathers, a willow base and moss to keep the wreath looking fresh, all bound with natural twine plus the all essential refreshments to keep you going!

There are two workshops at Goodrich Village Hall (Saturday 2 and Thursday 7 December) and these cost £50 per person. The two dates at Camperdown Lane – a lovely independent homeware retailer with coffee shop and a roaring log fire to keep you toastie – will take place on Thursday 30 November and Sunday 10 December (costing £60 per person).

  • Location: Goodrich Village Hall, Goodrich, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6HX & The Coffee Shed, Camperdown Lane, Field Meadow, Hampton Bishop, Hereford HR1 4JP
  • Further information: Wye Organic 01600 734471 / wyeorganic.co.uk

For more activities and things to do this Christmas, check out our Events page here.