With a handful of luscious greenery, fir branches and berries dotted throughout, wreaths have always been a popular way to welcome guests over Christmas. We take a look at one of our favourite seasonal decorations and its origin story.

Throughout history, wreaths have been a prominent symbol within various cultures and societies. In ancient Greece, they were hung on doors to symbolise victory, while Scandinavian and Germanic people would use them to mark the winter solstice during the celebration of the pagan holiday of Yule. In the depths of winter, when so much of the natural world is bare, the power of the evergreen to symbolise life and hope is immense. A cheering welcome to a home and a nod to celebrations within.

But the original concept of the wreath might be more practical than you would think. When Christmas trees were first brought into homes and trimmed into their traditional triangle shape (that eternal triumvirate of father, son and holy ghost) the off-cuts were not to be discarded – nothing ever was. Instead, they were twisted into circles to form their own decorations. A nice testament to reuse, not waste, at Christmas.