The Christmas Table: Christmas recipes and tutorials A celebration of all things Christmas! | Page 34

Christmas Wreath
By Hilary Stone
The Artful Caker

T

he inspiration of the wreath is about memories of childhood. I
wanted the cake to have elements that meant something to me,
of love, tradition, memories and family. Christmas in Australia
is usually hot and there are certain flowers that I associate with
Christmas and that flower is a Gardenia. When it’s hot the scent of the
gardenia is divinely intoxicating. The opaque fleshy petals and swirling
centres that dance in the heat to the sound of cicadas. Vintage baubles
of acorns, red berries and faded sparkle is my childhood Christmas.
I wanted to fuse modern with tradition and that’s why I went with white
leaves to decorate the wreath instead of green. The flashy red berries
reminded me of The Wizard of Oz, always a family favorite to watch at
Christmas. Along with Oliver, Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful
Life and that comfort that they bring of family, memories and love.
The wreath symbolises unity of family and the circle of life with no
beginning and no end. It is made with love, hope and peace.

34 | Christmas Wreath