Growing up, one of my favorite Christmas memories was gathering around our family’s advent wreath each Sunday evening. My mom would dim the lights, and we’d light the candles, adding a new one each week. While I loved the tradition, those traditional deep purples and bright pink always felt a bit harsh to me.

You all know how I feel about giving new life to vintage pieces—especially soup tureens! When I was brainstorming ideas for this year’s advent wreath, I glanced up at my hutch and spotted the perfect vessel for a softer, updated take on this tradition.

For those who aren’t familiar, advent wreaths traditionally use three purple candles and one pink candle to count down the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle has a meaning—hope, peace, joy, and love. In our house growing up, lighting these candles helped us focus on what Christmas was really about, beyond the presents and cookies.

Want to make your own? Let me walk you through how I created a softer, updated version using materials you can easily find—and maybe even a soup tureen you’ve been eyeing at the thrift store!

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A Tradition That Still Resonates Today

While advent wreaths have a rich history, let’s focus on how they bring light and meaning to our homes today. When my mom explained the meaning behind each candle, it made the whole Christmas season more meaningful for our family. Each Sunday, we’d light another candle, building anticipation for Christmas while taking time to slow down and reflect.

The Symbolism of Advent Candles

Traditionally, advent wreaths use bold purple and pink candles. Purple represents preparation and penitence (though as a kid, I just thought it meant “getting ready for Christmas”). The pink candle, lit on the third Sunday, stands for joy—hence its special color. Some people even add a white candle in the center for Christmas Day.

Evolving the Tradition to Fit Modern Decor

Here’s the thing—while the meaning stays the same, our homes and styles have evolved. Those traditional bright purple and pink candles can clash with today’s more subtle decor. That’s why I started looking for softer alternatives. I found beautiful dusty rose and muted purple tapers that carry the same symbolism but blend perfectly with modern homes. They create the same meaningful focal point without clashing with existing decor.

Blending Tradition with Modern Style

Think of it like updating a family recipe—you keep what makes it special while adapting it to work better for today. The softer colors still tell the story; they just do it in a way that feels more at home in our spaces.

Tip: For a traditional Advent wreath, consider adding a fifth candle—often a white pillar candle—in the center of the wreath. Known as the Christ Candle, this candle is usually lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, adding a beautiful layer to this Christmas tradition. Using a fifth candle brings a meaningful focus to the wreath, completing the journey of Advent in a timeless way.

Materials Needed

Essential Items

• Soup tureen (see tips on finding vintage ones at thrift stores/flea markets)
• Fresh floral foam
• 4 taper candles in soft pink/purple tones
• Fresh greenery (a mix of evergreens i.e. pine, cedar, boxwood, holly, etc)
• Berries and/or pinecones
• Thin purple velvet ribbon
• Water for foam

Optional Embellishments

• Christmas picks or ornaments
• Natural elements
• Additional accent pieces

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Base: Cut foam to fit inside the tureen. Soak foam completely. Position it to extend 1/4″ above the rim.

2. Insert Candles: Press purple candles into foam at 12:00, 3:00, and 9:00. Add pink candle at 6:00. Test each candle for stability.

3. Layer Greens: Begin with largest greenery pieces. Work systematically with one variety at a time. Maintain low profile below candles. Fill spaces evenly. Create balanced coverage.

4. Add Texture: Insert pinecone picks throughout arrangement. Space them evenly for visual balance. Secure each pick firmly in foam.

5. Final Details: Wrap velvet ribbon once around each candle base. Tie simple knots with long trailing ends. Let ribbons flow onto table. Check candles are straight. Trim any wayward greens.

Keeping Your Advent Wreath Fresh Through the Season

Let’s talk about keeping your centerpiece looking good all month—because nobody wants droopy greens or candle wax everywhere by week two. Here are a few tricks to make sure it lasts.

Managing Floral Foam for Long-Lasting Greens

The most important thing is keeping an eye on the water level in your floral foam. I check mine every other day by gently pressing on the foam. If it feels firm, you’re good. If it’s starting to feel soft, slowly add water until the foam feels saturated again. Just be careful not to overflow your tureen.

Tips for Candle Care

Candles can be tricky. I keep mine trimmed to about half an inch, which helps prevent dripping. I also slightly angle them outward when I first place them in the foam. This way, if any wax drips, it won’t mess up your greens. If you do get wax on the greens, just leave it—trying to clean it usually makes more of a mess.

Choosing and Arranging Greenery

A mix of different greenery varieties not only provides beautiful texture and fragrance but also lasts longer than using just one type. I use sturdy pine or spruce as the base, then add softer cedar and fir tips. Keep your arrangement away from heat sources and direct sunlight—they’re pretty, but they’ll dry out your greens faster than you can say “Christmas is coming.”

Prepping Greens for Longer Freshness

Before I add any greens to the foam, I strip off the bottom inch or so of needles and give each stem a fresh cut at an angle. This helps them drink up more water and stay fresh longer. If any pieces start looking sad, just swap them out with fresh ones—it’s easier than redoing the whole thing.

Making the Most of Your Advent Wreath Centerpiece

When it comes to placing your advent wreath centerpiece, I’ve found the dining room table works best. You can also place it on a buffet or kitchen island for decor. Just remember—wherever you put it, make sure it’s stable and away from curtains or other things that could catch fire.

Lighting Sequence for Advent Candles

We light our candles every Sunday evening: first week, one candle; second week, two candles; and so on. Some people light them every evening, but with fresh greens, I prefer to limit how long the candles burn. When we do light them, we never leave the room. Even though the greens are in wet foam, it’s still an open flame.

Coordinating with Holiday Decor

The softer colors I chose this year actually work really well with my other decorations. Using a vintage tureen as the base continues the collected-over-time feeling of my holiday décor. The muted purples and pinks blend with my mercury glass ornaments and vintage silver pieces without competing for attention. My linens and tableware are off white, creating a serene backdrop that lets the advent centerpiece be the quiet focal point of our holiday table.

Safety Tips for Advent Wreaths

A few safety notes from experience: keep matches or a lighter nearby (hunting for them with guests waiting gets old fast), and always put the candles out before heading to bed. I keep a small candle snuffer right next to the wreath—it’s more reliable than blowing them out and prevents wax from splashing.

Making Your Advent Wreath Meaningful Today

While advent wreaths started in churches, they’ve found their way into many homes like mine. Yes, there are traditional prayers for each candle—hope, peace, joy, and love. But here’s what I appreciate now as an adult: you can make this tradition your own.

A Family Tradition of Reflection

In our house growing up, Mom would read the prayer for that week’s candle, and we’d each share something related to its meaning. On hope Sunday, we’d talk about what we were hopeful for. On peace Sunday, we’d think about ways to bring more peace into our lives or help others find peace. The joy candle (that pink one!) was always fun—we’d share what brought us joy that week. And the love candle led to sweet conversations about the people we care about.

Making the Tradition Your Own

These days, whether you follow the traditional prayers or create your own ritual, the point is taking a moment to pause during the busiest season of the year. Some families I know use their advent wreath time to read Christmas stories. Others use it as a chance to share memories or plans for the coming year.

Blending Old and New

What I love about using these softer-colored candles in a vintage tureen is how it blends something old with something new. The meaning stays the same, but the look feels fresh and personal. It’s like taking the best parts of an old tradition and making it work for your family for todays holiday season.

The Universal Appeal of Candlelight

Even if you’re not religious, there’s something special about gathering around candlelight during the darkest time of year and counting down to Christmas together. It’s about creating those moments of connection—something we could all use more of during the holiday rush.

Making It Work for Your Home

The Traditional Route

Let’s talk about the most classic version first. My mom always used a simple wreath form laid flat on the table with separate candle holders placed around it. You can find pre-made advent wreaths at craft stores, or create your own using a fresh pine wreath and sturdy candleholders. Just make sure your holders can handle taper candles and are stable – wobbly candles and Christmas greens aren’t a great mix.

Fresh vs. Faux

While I’m using fresh greens in my tureen this year, good quality faux greenery can look just as beautiful. The secret is mixing different types – some pine, cedar, and fir tips – just like you would with fresh ones. Today’s artificial greens can look amazingly realistic, especially in soft evening light. Plus, no weekly maintenance required!

Vessel Options

My soup tureen’s working perfectly, but you’ve got options:

• Shallow vintage bowls
• Ceramic plates with edges
• Crystal dessert stands
• Heat-safe decorative dishes

Just ensure whatever you choose is stable and can handle moisture if you’re using fresh greens.

Small Space Solutions

Limited on space? Scale everything down:

• Use shorter candles
• Choose a smaller vessel
• Try votives instead of tapers
• Keep the greenery compact

Color Choices

While I went with softer pinks and purples this year, you could:

• Stick with traditional bright purple and pink
• Match your existing holiday decor
• Choose metallics or neutrals
• Use all white candles

Remember, it’s the meaning behind the candles that matters, not their exact shade.

Creating your own advent centerpiece is a wonderful way to bring the true meaning of Christmas into your home. Whether you’re using traditional colors, modern muted tones, or evergreen branches for a DIY touch, this simple advent centerpiece serves as a beautiful reminder of the advent season. Lighting each candle—starting with the first candle on the first Sunday of Advent and continuing until Christmas Eve—builds a sense of anticipation and connection, focusing on the birth of Christ in a meaningful, lovely way. Adding elements from a local craft store or using faux greens can make it an easy DIY that is personal, creating a beautiful Christmas centerpiece that blends seamlessly with your holiday decor.

Merry Christmas friends!