Have you made plans for Advent this year?

With Advent fast approaching, (this Sunday!!) Marianna and I knew we had to make our wreath soon! I usually use a traditional (fake) evergreen wreath that was built on a wire base with holders for candles. The first Advent on the boat found it sitting in the cockpit on an improvised table. When the isinglass sides were dropped and the candles lit, it was magical! We've repeated this cockpit tradition each year since, though the wreath is really much too big for any table on board and the taper candles blow out much too frequently in the sea breeze.

This year I decided we really needed a much smaller wreath that could sit on either table with us as we eat without getting needles in your mashed potatoes. Real or fake, needles are still an unpleasant surprise!



Back in October, Dawn had a wonderful idea for a Homemade Advent Wreath that she posted at O Night Divine. Ever since, I've been ruminating on this delightful idea and as you will see, I kept her basic formula. Just tweaked it a tad, substituting with items found and items available to us.

To make our wreath, we used a round mirror, Blu-Tack, Seashells and tiny votive candles. It was very easy to assemble and turned out very secure actually. Marianna has turned the whole wreath upside down and shaken it and nothing happened! Of course, if it was knocked about things would dislodge but if the boat was plunging about that much, I seriously doubt it would be out and lit!



The wreath is pictured with the tiny votives that were aboard, and though I am hoping to find purple and pink votives, I could always wrap the candle itself in the wider giftwrap ribbon that is common in every grocer's stationary aisle. I think the candles and the ribbon will be exactly the same width!

My family will use the traditional Blessing and Prayers for the Advent Wreath which are quite lovely and are what I remember from my childhood.



Other plans for Advent? Last year I discovered the TeachingMom Advent Calendar, and plan to visit it daily again. Other inspiration will come I am sure through this Loveliness of Advent Fair! I'm keeping the planner open...
Thank you Jenn for hosting this Fair! Make sure you stop in at her blog and be prepared to be inspired!