A classic fir Advent wreath looks beautiful on the first Advent. By the third at the latest, the needles start falling, the branches become dry, and after Christmas it all ends up in the trash. More and more people are therefore looking for a modern Advent wreath without fir that can be taken out of the cupboard year after year. Here are six ideas, from a ready-made candle holder to quick decorations made from things you already have at home.
When is the first Advent 2026?
The first Advent falls on Sunday, November 29, 2026, and the fourth Advent on December 20. If you want to decorate the wreath or candle holder yourself, it is best to plan for the weekend before.
1. A board with four candles
The simplest form of an Advent wreath without needles: four candles in a row on a wooden board. The ADVENT 4-candle holder made of olive wood has four metal candle plates on a solid board measuring approximately 36 to 42 cm in length. Pillar candles up to 7 cm in diameter fit on it. A few branches, pine cones, or dried orange slices around it, and the wreath is ready. After the holidays, you remove the decorations, and the holder remains as a regular candle holder.
2. Four tealight holders, arranged freely
If you prefer a more relaxed look, place four individual tealight holders on a tray or directly on the table. The rustic tealight holders are flat discs made of olive wood with a natural shape, approximately 12 cm in diameter. They are available individually or in sets of 2, 3, or 4 holders. Because each one looks different, the arrangement looks natural all on its own, and another tealight is lit every Sunday.
3. Candles in sand
An elongated bowl, light decorative sand, and candles inside: This looks peaceful and can be changed at any time. The WELLNESS candle holder set incl. sand & 3 tealights comes with the approximately 30 cm long olive wood bowl and the sand. For Advent, add a fourth tealight and stick a few star anise or cinnamon sticks into the sand.
4. A star instead of a wreath
Not everyone needs four candles. If you like a minimalist look, place a single large pillar candle on the olive wood star candle holder with a diameter of approximately 15 cm and add a small branch or star to it on each Advent Sunday. This way, the decoration counts down the weeks until Christmas.
5. A ball candle as a centerpiece
For small tables or the windowsill, a single ball candle in a wooden bowl is perfect. With the PALLA ball candle in a round olive wood bowl, the approximately 8 cm candle sits in decorative sand. With a few small pine cones or some fir greenery around it, it quickly becomes an Advent arrangement.
6. Collect nature instead of buying it
Pine cones, moss, eucalyptus, rosehips, or dried orange slices make any simple candle holder festive. You can find a lot of these on a walk, and orange slices dry in the oven at a low temperature in a few hours. Always place dry decorations far enough away from the flame.
Safety: What you should pay attention to
- Never leave burning candles unattended, even for a short time.
- Leave enough distance between the flame and branches, paper, or dried flowers.
- Change candles in time before they burn down to the holder.
- Place the candle holder on a stable, level surface.
Why olive wood for Advent and Christmas?
Olive wood is hard, heavy, and stable. A candle holder made of it does not wobble, and the warm, golden-brown grain suits candlelight particularly well. Because each piece is made from a different piece of wood, no candle holder looks like another, and unlike a fir wreath, it lasts for many years. You can find more ideas in our Christmas category and under Candles & Light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Advent wreath have to be round?
No. The four candles for the four Advent Sundays are what matters. Whether they stand in a circle, in a row, or are distributed freely is a matter of taste.
Which candles fit on the ADVENT 4-candle holder?
Pillar candles up to 7 cm in diameter.
Can I continue to use the candle holder after Christmas?
Yes. Without Advent decorations, it is a simple candle holder for the dining table or sideboard.