Growing up in a Scandinavian community, especially a Northern one that can relate to the Scandinavian obsession with light and sun, you learn about the importance of Midsommar’s Eve. With the special night comes essential Daisy Crowns for Midsommar’s. While of course you can make your crowns with any flowers, my dad cut us a giant bucket full of daisies, which I thought were perfect for the occasion. Their sunny centers decorated our drizzly night and the sturdy but pliable stalks made for easy braiding for first time wreathe makers. I have always carried with me that the wreathes are important to wear throughout the party, late into the night, until it’s time to dance and sing around the fire. We always burned the wreathes just before we put the fire out and headed to bed to keep the witches away. As I researched this tradition before I wrote this post, I discovered that perhaps this particular purpose (fear of witches) was specific to my family and friends. I definitely found lots of evidence that they are traditionally burned late at night, but nothing about the witches. Perhaps a reader will have further insight into the origin of burning the wreathes? Whatever the purpose, the wreathes will be wilted come morning, so burning them in their prime strikes all sorts of symbolic chords of youth, eternal beauty, as well as the dramatic funeral pyre sea burials reserved for Nordic chiefs and heroes. We wore ours throughout our lovely Midsommar’s Eve Dinner Party and retired them to the flames of our campfire after we thoroughly enjoyed Homemade Marshmallows for S’mores. 
Making the wreathes was fun. If you know how to french braid, that’s the easiest way I know how to fashion these. I start with three flowers and keep adding more in as I braid. Don’t forget to measure your head! And flower crowns aren’t only for the ladies. Everyone wears one on Midsommar’s. I absolutely love this photo of Nathan and Katie.
Sadly our cutest model wasn’t having it. It was fun to look at the wreath, but wearing it was another matter. He also thought it looked great on Dad.
Ivan, Brittney, Marc and I, and Kerry all modeled our wreathes.
This is so fun! I remember making these when I was little!
This brings back do many memories, I loved making those when I was little!