For centuries, ivy has been associated with the celebration of Christmas. While not as well known as mistletoe and holly, it has its own special holiday significance. Its glossy evergreen leaves symbolized the renewal of life and the promise of spring in deepest winter, and its clinging nature suggested faithfulness. It was also an herb of celebration, and Greek revelers fashioned coronets of ivy as a guard against intoxication. Sinuous, clingy, and delightfully green, ivy makes stunning holiday wreaths. Here are four suggestions:

• The Advent Wreath, symbolizing the coming of light into the world, usually consists of four candles mounted around an evergreen wreath, with one larger candle in the center. Make your Advent Wreath from ivy, by planting mature ivy plants (purchased from the nursery) in a "sausage" made of a plastic bag inserted into a wire wreath form and filled with potting mix. Cover with green sheet moss, place on a round tray, and water. If you plant in early November, your wreath will be lush by the first Sunday of Advent, when you light the first candle.
• Wind small ivy circlets for use as napkin rings. You'll need one 10" sprig for each ring. Spectacular with red napkins!
• Wreathe ivy around your candles. Tuck in a few holly berries for accents.
• Make an ivy wreath for your wassail bowl, and enjoy the ancient symbolic association. (Not guaranteed to prevent the wassailers from getting tipsy, however!)

The Ivie and Holly Berries are seen,
And Yule Log and Wassaile come round again.
--old carol

Ah-there's my choice,--that ivy on the wall,
That headlong ivy! Not a leaf will grow
But thinking of a wreath.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"Aurora Leigh" 1856