ColorNest
Holly has been used as a winter decoration for thousands of years, long before Christmas traditions began. Ancient Romans gave holly branches as gifts during Saturnalia, a winter festival, because the plant stays green through winter and its berries provided color in the grey season. Candy canes as a Christmas symbol are most commonly explained as representing the letter J for Jesus, though the exact origin of the candy cane shape is debated by historians — the hooked shape may simply have been designed to hang on Christmas trees.
Coloring ideas: color the holly leaves a rich deep green and the round berries bright red — this is the classic Christmas color combination. The candy canes should have alternating red and white diagonal stripes, which gives them a cheerful spinning look. The bow at the top can be red to match the berries or a contrasting gold for an elegant feel. The wreath base leaves can be given subtle variety by alternating two shades of green.
Younger kids can tackle the wreath section by section, coloring each cluster of three berries and their surrounding leaves before moving to the next. Older kids can add depth by making the leaves behind the candy canes slightly darker than those at the front.
