Joy In The Ordinary

2024 has brought many changes to our family. Our oldest child graduated high school, we acquired a semi in our forestry business, we bought out the inventory of a local wreath company that closed, we lost several close friends and a business partner. It’s been an intense year.

The business climate in Minnesota continues to be challenging. We have worked overtime crunching our numbers and doing everything we can to keep our wreaths affordable. Despite our efforts some price increases had to happen in 2024.

Our kids are growing up FAST and our parents are growing old. I think with all this it brings a buzz of uncertainty about the future and also an added challenge to savor every day. We are excited for 1 more year of having all of our kids here at the farm.

McFadden Kids

Gabriel, Benjamin, Samuel Jr., Gracelyn and Gideon McFadden at Prairie Lake in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

What next year holds, I don’t know. I know HE does and so we will REST in HIM (Matthew 6:34). We will do our best to embrace the Everyday Ordinary Joys!

Cheers to Another Great Holiday Wreath Season!

Merry Christmas from All the McFadden’s

P.S. Order Early

It’s Good to Pause & Give Thanks

As I pause briefly this morning, we are in the midst of our busiest wreath season yet.

The calendar exclaims, “THANKSGIVING DAY!” Despite the holiday there are still labels to print, boxes to pack, and wreaths to be handcrafted. The days have been flying by so fast that it’s hard to believe we are here at the beginning of our peak 2 weeks of balsam fir bonanza. We’ve been ramping up each day and it’s finally here.

Back to that pause this morning… There really is so much to be grateful for as I take this moment to reflect.

We pause to give thanks for all the goodness in 2021.

WE HAVE THE BEST CUSTOMERS! You make this thing called, “Wreath Season,” in our household possible. We are so blessed to have the most loyal, fun, and interesting customer base. I enjoy catching up with each of you so much year after year.
WE HAVE THE BEST EMPLOYEES! Our amazing wreath artists make it possible for each wreath to leave our shop. We have 20+ awesome folks who put in long hours making these balsam wreaths. Our business may be “Jen’s Wreaths” but it’s really only 1%, Jen. I’m grateful to be greeted so warmly on the phone by hundreds of our customers excited that Jen’s answered the phone but it’s these truly amazing boots on the ground employees making it happen.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR FAMILY! All this could never happen without my husband Sam, both our moms who help out so much, and our awesome kids. Wreath Season is fun and exciting but it is also hard. The hours are non-stop, our kids pause many parts of their lives to pitch in and it truly is a family business. Looking Back – How Jen’s Wreaths Started…We’ve come a long way over the years.
WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY GOD’s PROVIDENCE! Sam’s arm/hand was crushed in an accident here in April 2021. After a life flight to a bigger hospital, a week hospital stay, 3 surgeries, hours of physical therapy he has a decent working hand. God provided for us through our thoughtful neighbors, caring church, dependable friends, and helpful family to provide for so many aspects of our needs during many months.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Jen’s Wreaths!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook here –>

https://www.facebook.com/JensFreshChristmasWreathsandGifts

Being a Champion of Balsam Fir

Being in the wreath making for almost two decades has allowed us to have an up close look at the Balsam Fir supply in Northern Minnesota. We’ve seen it all quality balsam fir tips and sub par balsam fir. Balsam fir’s boughs are vital to our industry and our business’s success. It’s an unique tree that has a gorgeous soft look to its needles and lovely aroma.

We were mentioned in this great article and it talks in depth about the history of balsam and how to keep a healthy supply of this material for many years to come. You can read the article by clicking here:

https://www.growingmagazine.com/harvesting-balsam-fir/

We are so happy to be back serving you all in 2020! Let us know how we can meet your Christmas Wreath needs.

Ready or Not, Covid or Not, Here We Come…

Jen’s Wreaths is officially OPEN for the 2020 season. We are excited to welcome back our customers and clients from the past and we are here to establish new relationships this season.

Minnesota Displays Beautiful Fall Colors and the Balsam Fir Looks Great This Season

Our wreath fundraiser information is currently up to date. You can view our new fundraiser packet here: https://www.jenswreaths.com/fundraising/

We also continue to offer various sizes and styles of fresh Christmas wreaths. Take a look at our selection here: https://www.jenswreaths.com/category.cfm

Our office is open and ready to help you in any way possible. We are looking forward to an awesome 2020 holiday season.

Blessings, Jen McFadden

Jen’s Wreaths Open for 2019

We turned the page on the calendar today.

Welcome November!!

Welcome November!

The brisk Minnesota weather has produced many hard frosts now. Freezing temps help Balsam Fir retain its’ needles. Good needle retention on our core material is always our goal and it helps when the weather cooperates.

We are excited for this upcoming season. We are finalizing our websites, making final updates and officially Open For Business.

Don’t hesitate to give our office a call with any questions. Our website has many styles of Christmas Wreaths. Our most popular Red Velvet Bow Traditional style is still at the top of our line up. We also have many plaids, a beautiful burgundy bow and gingham ribbon choices.

Shipping is Free. Gift Cards are included for No Additional Cost.

Cheers to November,

Jenny McFadden, Owner, www.jenswreaths.com

What do you buy your clients for Christmas?

As a business owner your customers & clients are priceless. It is hard sometimes deciding how to properly “Thank” loyal customers for their patronage. Options like coffee mugs, fancy cards, and pizza cutters emblazoned with your business name on them are O.K.

But what if you sent something that left a real impression?

Wondering what to send your clients for Christmas?

Myself along with our artists here at Jen’s Wreaths have helped dozens of small business owners for over a decade send a meaningful Thank You gifts to their clients. We custom make fresh Christmas wreaths here at our farm. You provide the address list and we insert a FREE card into each box with your custom message. Some business even send us their own cards they design to put into each box.

We send Fresh Christmas Wreaths direct to your Clients

Sending Christmas Wreaths for Christmas Gifts for your Corporate Clients & Customers makes a bold statement that you appreciate them and that you are incredibly grateful for their business.

Check out our selection at www.jenswreaths.com

Download our Special Business Christmas Gifts – Corporate Gift Flyer Here: https://www.jenswreaths.com/documents/Corporate-Gift-Program-2018.pdf

E-mail your gift list directly to: office@jenswreaths.com

Call our Farm Directly: (218)-246-3146

100% ALL IN – ADOPTION

So you’re all wondering…. What is up @ Jen’s Wreaths this year? No Wreaths?

Sam and I have been married 15 years now and adoption has been on our radar from the beginning. Our conversations have always revolved around WHEN we ADOPT, not IF.

McFadden Adoption One of the lessons we’ve learned is there no perfect time to do something. You can spend a lifetime waiting for the ideal scenario and it may never come. With a growing burden on our hears and Divine prodding we jumped into the crazy world of home study’s and the foster to adopt process. It’s been a ride but we wouldn’t trade it for anything!

We are so grateful that we were able to add Gabriel “GABE” to our family this year. He joined us in January and we finalized our adoption in May. This made us a FAMILY of 6!!!

AND THAT’s NOT ALL…

Gabe’s brother joined us this summer and we are excited to have him joining our family soon officially, too. That means we currently have 5 kiddos.

With our adopted boys special needs, we needed to do some serious evaluating of priorities. We made the decision that in order to be ALL IN for all our kids that this year we couldn’t work the hours necessary. With that being said, please know we didn’t take this decision lightly. We VALUE every single one of you so much. YOU are what make up Jen’s Wreaths and YOU have all blessed our family a lot over the years. We consider so many of you good friends.

One of my favorite quotes is from Corrie Ten Boom and it says, “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” It’s easy to think one lives by that motto. Letting go of this wreath season hurt a lot.

Every year that we’ve worked this business, we’ve had a front seat watching God work in incredible, yet everyday ways. We’ve seen him provide just the right type staff to fill positions, the right amount of employees, health for us to work those 80+ hour weeks and lots of customers.

There’s a lot we don’t know right now. I do know that this is the first time in 12 years, we’ve had a FALL season to do family things. I do know that although the decision to let this season go was tough that there’s also incredible peace knowing you’re doing the right thing. I do know that God knows the future.

We hope to back in some capacity in 2018! In the meantime, we are looking forward to investing this time in helping our family adjust to all these transitions.

McFadden Blog Post Family

Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

We appreciate you all bunches

Sam & Jenny McFadden

Hello Fall! Goodbye Summer! – Thanksgiving Decorations

Fall is here and Halloween and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Decorating our homes with amazing fall wreaths, swags or centerpieces can be a wonderful way to welcome the change of the season no matter where your location may be. Transitioning from summer to fall is simple and easy with Jen’s Wreath’s decorations. As soon as the kids go back to school, start decorating your home with fall items that can take you through Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays.

Wreaths used as Fall Decorations

At Jen’s Wreaths you know you are getting top quality, one of a kind Fall decorations. Autumn Harvest Wreath was the best selling design for 2012 and is coming back for another fantastic season. This handmade wreath is assembled carefully with fresh Balsam Fir and comes complete with a festive 6 loop pumpkin themed bow, faux pumpkins, and faux bittersweet. Another best selling item in 2012 was the Fall Leaf Wreath also made with fresh Balsam Fir and comes complete with a festive 6 loop plaid bow, faux fall colored leaves, and faux pumpkins. . Nothing celebrates the change of seasons than hanging one or both of these beautifully handcrafted wreaths on your front door or in your home. And don’t forget, these wreaths make amazing centerpieces for your dinner table or set on a coffee or entryway table. Just add a candle and “BOOM” you have a gorgeous fall decoration.

Swags versus Wreaths

Fall swags are becoming more popular these days especially if you are tight on space. Swags are versatile when space is a problem. They can be used on posts on your front porch, beside your front door, or various places on the interior of your home. Jen’s Wreaths offers a crisp fresh Balsam Fir swag that comes complete with a festive 6 loop plaid bow and faux fall colored leaves. The beauty of this swag screams “Hello Fall!”

Get Decorating with Fall Wreaths and Swags

Just remember, wreaths are not only for Christmas they are also amazing Fall decorations. So, get started decorating with Fall wreaths and swags. It’s not too late to say goodbye to summer & “Hello” to Fall.

Jen’s Wreaths has a new lineup of 2013

Christmas will be upon us before you know it! Jen’s Wreaths has a new lineup of 2013 Christmas wreaths to make your Christmas that much more special. Some of the new items are described below.

30” Traditional Deluxe Wreath

What could be more fabulous than displaying a 30” handcrafted wreath that is ready to be hung as soon as you receive it? This oversized but yet affordable wreath would be great hanging in an office building, a sanctuary or your home. The possibilities are endless. This wreath is made using the freshest balsam fir available to ensure a crisp evergreen scent that is assembled with 5 clusters of frosted pine cones and a handmade 6 loop weatherproof traditional red velvet bow. White pine & cedar sprigs are included along with red faux berry sticks.

36” Traditional Deluxe Wreath

If 30” is just not big enough, then the 36” handcrafted wreath will definitely show the holiday spirit with all its glamour and beauty! Just like the 30” wreath, the 36” consists of 5 clusters of frosted pine cones, handmade 6 loop weatherproof traditional red velvet bow, white pine & cedar sprigs with red faux berry sticks.

12” Fall Acorn Weathered (Dark) Wreath

If you are looking for something different than the traditional balsam fir wreaths, acorn wreaths are just as spectacular when either hung like a wreath or used as a centerpiece. This item is designed and handcrafted by a Deer River artist, Eileen Johnston. Her skilled craftwork is nothing short of quality and beauty. Weathered Norway pine cones, spruce cones, and acorns are assembled together with wire and hot glue on a 10” frame. This item can last for several years if not exposed to excess moisture.

12” Fall Acorn Light Wreath

If you preference is a lighter color acorn wreath, then this item is what you are looking for to display on your door or as a centerpiece. Just like the darker wreath, this item is also made by the skilled crafts lady, Eileen Johnston. This is made with Norway pine cones, spruce cones, and acorns and assembled with wire and hot glue on a 10” frame. If not exposed to excess moisture, this item will also last for several years.