A Winter Solstice Tradition - Make a Fruit Wreath for the Animals

Introduction

On December 23rd, my daughter and I made ornaments from the simple gifts of nature. To decorate a small bird house, we used tree bark, broken bits of tree branches, fruit, dried flowers, beans, seeds, and cinnamon sticks. We also decorated a pine cone and a wooden bear ornament.

In addition to the ornaments, we made a gift to give the birds and other critters that live around us. Our feathered and furry friends have less daylight this week, the darkest week of the year, for finding food. They need our help, and deserve a gift in return for the beautiful songs they sing to us and the lovely ways they entertain us all year long. This gift was a fruit wreath of a very simple design.

Why Make a Gift of Food to the Birds and other Wild Animals?

History

Long ago, when more of the human population lived close to the earth, and celebrated the food they harvested, they were deeply aware of their connection to the natural world. They observed the changing of the seasons and the progression of the cycle of life each year, and lived their lives in response to them. All of their needs were provided by the natural world, and thus all of their possessions were made with natural objects, such as animal skins, meat, milk, honey, fruits, and vegetables. Humans respected nature because they knew that this respect was necessary for their survival. During certain festivals, they helped heir furry and feathered friends by feeding them extra food to help with their survival.

Contemporary Practice

Many people are still drawn to have natural objects around our homes because these objects remind us of our deep connection with and dependence on nature, despite the level of technological convenience that we enjoy. We can support our wild furry and feathered friends by helping them survive. We can leave seeds, nuts, and nectar for them to feast upon while we are feasting in celebration of what they have given us. Once the harvest has been eaten, shared, and/or stored, the frosts have covered the fields and even humans have settled into a state of hibernation from the usual flurry of activity of the brighter months, the creatures of the natural world, who give us gifts and entertain us, need help finding food themselves. Let us share our bounty with gratitude by making something that they can feast upon, too.

Ingredients:

Cranberries

Oranges

Apples

Popped corn

Craft wire for stringing the fruit together and tying it on a tree branch

Wire cutters

Steps

1. Keep cranberries whole, but cut the rest of the fruit into small pieces, and pop the corn.

2. Cut craft wire with a set of pliers or wire cutters, about 2 or 3 feet in length.

3. String wire through the berries, fruit pieces, and popcorn until the length of the wire has been covered.

4. Tie the ends of the wire together to make a circle, and place your fruit wreath over the branch of a tree in your yard.

5. Watch and listen for the birds as they thankfully feast on the gift you have given them.

Merry Solstice and Happy Yule to all!

Copyright © 2011 by Seafarer Mama/Karen Szklany Gault