Holiday Wreath-Making Magic at Marders

Being a community journalist requires a willingness to be a jack of all trades. There are the regular beats and areas of expertise, but the job also requires a willingness to cover a topic or event that falls outside of a reporter’s comfort zone. Sometimes, far outside.

After more than 20 years in the business, I’ve leaned into that role and take pride in the weeks when I have a byline in the news, sports and arts sections. It’s fun to learn about something new, dig into something different, even if — and especially when — I’m skeptical about it at first.

So when The Express News Group’s co-publisher, Kathryn Menu, asked me to sign up for the annual holiday wreath-making class at Marders, off Snake Hollow Road in Bridgehampton, of course, I said yes, even though I was fairly certain I’d leave there with a wreath only a mother could love. (Luckily, I am a mother.)

Over the years, I have learned and accepted that I am not skilled (nor particularly motivated to become skilled) in the general realm of domesticity. Mastering the art of a homemade sourdough bread, flawlessly folding a fitted sheet, sewing a homemade Halloween costume, knitting or crocheting, crafting — those are pursuits I’ve largely been uninterested in, and the rare attempts to try my hand at them are usually quickly abandoned when it becomes clear that I do not have natural talents in those areas.

There must have been some kind of holiday magic in the air at Marders when I attended the class at the end of last year, however. Not only did I come home with a gorgeous wreath that, unbelievably, I had made myself, but I also actually enjoyed the process.

When the class was finished, I understood why it’s been such a popular holiday event in the 15 years it’s been offered. It’s accessible to anyone, no matter their level of skill or craftiness, and it’s held in the greenhouse room at Marders in Bridgehampton, the perfect place to soak up the holiday spirit, with sunlight streaming through the glass windows, and the high ceilings adding to the overall ambiance.

Both the instructions and the raw materials for the wreaths are top notch.

Denise Kelly teaches the wreath-making class at Marders, and calmly and smoothly guided everyone in attendance with the right blend of help and assistance while also allowing everyone to tap into their own creativity — however repressed or previously ignored it may have been, ahem — and come up with a creation that was truly their own. She has been working at Marders for nearly 20 years, and teaching the wreath-making class most of that time as well.

“We’ve been doing it for a long time, and it’s gotten bigger,” she said, adding that it’s key to book early, in November, for anyone who wants to get in. Marders will also host private wreath-making classes, with a minimum of eight people. Marders was able to continue offering the class even through the pandemic, simply bringing it outdoors during that time.

The appeal of the class is simple but compelling.

“It’s great to make your own wreath,” Kelly said. “The best thing is that everybody makes a beautiful wreath, and everybody does it differently. Everybody has their own style.”

A big part of the reason why so many unique wreaths and styles emerge during the class is because of the quality materials Marders can offer, Kelly said.

“We’re one of the best nurseries on Long Island, and we have so many fabulous greens,” she explained. “That’s the key, as far as getting a great wreath from Marders. We’re spoiled, because you don’t get Atlas cedar, you don’t get Carolina sapphire and juniper berries and noble fir [at other places]. There’s different textures and different colors. Some people do all blue hues, some do yellow and green. But that’s what I feel is the best thing about making the wreath in the class here.”

Attendees of the class are not required to bring much, just a set of their own garden clippers, and a willingness to be creative and experiment.

Marders provides the rest, including not only the beautiful and diverse array of holiday greens but also the wreath base and the dark green wire used to affix the greens to the base.

Going home with a gorgeous handmade wreath — and very sticky hands — are guarantees.

Sap-covered hands aside, participating in the wreath-making class was much more fun than I ever expected it to be, and it put me fully into the holiday spirit.

When I first walked into the room and stood by the table where I’d be making my wreath, the song “Willow,” by Taylor Swift, was playing. The line “Life was a willow and it bent right to your whim” seemed like the first sign that the class would go well, and that hunch was correct.

Choosing from the wide variety of greens is an almost meditative experience, and the artful combination of different shades of green, the browns of the different shaped pine cones, and the pops of color offered by the blue and bright red berries was extremely satisfying in a way I did not anticipate.

It was easy to see why most of the women — and yes, sadly, it was all women, even though this is something men can and should enjoy! — were repeat attendees. Many of them came in friend groups of two or more, including June Hamilton and Sharon Bendzlowicz. They attend the class every year and have made it a holiday tradition. They both made stunningly beautiful but unique wreaths, and had big smiles — to go along with their sticky hands — after the class was over.

For more information about the wreath-making class, visit marders.com/events.