The Whitney Wreath Story
Discover the story behind Whitney Wreath—how David Whitney transformed a childhood dream into a Maine tradition of hand-made balsam wreaths, created with sustainable practices and respect for the environment.
Beautiful – Fresh hand-crafted wreaths showcasing Maine’s wintertime elegance. 
Free Shipping – Every wreath ships free with a complimentary hanger. Fragrant – The crisp scent of Maine’s balsam fir, delivered to your door. Beautiful – Fresh hand-crafted wreaths showcasing Maine’s wintertime elegance. Free Shipping – Every wreath ships free with a complimentary hanger. Fragrant – The crisp scent of Maine’s balsam fir, delivered to your door.
The Story Behind Whitney Wreath
From a Child’s Curiosity to a Lifelong Craft of Maine Balsam Wreaths
It all began when I was wrestling with my cousin Bobby during Thanksgiving at my grandparents’ house in 1974 when I was eight years old.
“Why do you smell like trees?” I asked Bobby. He then proceeded to explain that he had been making money collecting “tips” from trees and selling them to Flo, the owner of Flo’s Wreaths in Marshfield, Maine.
Since my mother wouldn’t buy me candy, I thought that this was the PERFECT solution to my candy crisis.
When I got home I grabbed a sandwich bag, climbed a spruce tree and started picking the needles off. Upon arrival at Flo’s, I proudly held up my bag full of spruce needles and declared: “I have some tips to sell!”
She was humored by my naivety. She then showed me into the tip shed where the smell of fresh balsam fir overwhelmed my senses. I surveyed the many heaps of small branches and realized these must be “tips.”
She then opened the door into the wreath room where I saw several women working at tables, snapping the tips into decorative little bunches and wrapping them with wire around a ring to create wreaths. Flo unknowingly had opened the door to my new world.
I knew right then and there that this is what I wanted to do.
As I reflect back, Flo patiently took the time to explain her craft to me. Neither of us knew at the time, but these were the first steps towards building a business now known as Whitney Wreath.
I started as an eight-year-old boy simply wanting to earn money for candy. But now it’s a source of livelihood and joy for more people than I could have ever imagined.
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From the Whitneys, With Love
Ashton, David , Michon, Holly, and Coleton
Each year when the weather turns cold and the holidays approach, the smell of balsam takes me back to my childhood.
It now brings us all a sense of happiness and anticipation of the coming festivities and memories that we will make
together in our close-knit Maine community and in our family.
Raise Funds with Fresh Maine Balsam Wreaths
Whitney Wreath’s fundraising program makes it easy for schools, churches, and community groups to reach their goals while sharing a holiday tradition. Our handcrafted balsam wreaths are a product everyone loves—beautiful, fragrant, and perfect for celebrating the season.
Partner with Whitney Wreath and turn your next fundraiser into a success. Start today and bring the spirit of Maine to homes across the country while supporting your cause.
