Many doors, and windows for that matter, are a bit more dressed up this time of year. The holiday wreaths that hang on them can be as simple as a ten-inch circle of greenery comprised of balsam fir or as complex as a ten-foot (or more) in diameter mix of various firs, pines, and plants, decorated with a variety of a colorful berries, and artificial birds - the red cardinal being a popular choice.Wreaths are available at Castle Hill's farm location, 25 Sugar Lane, Newtown, Saturdays and Sundays only, from 9 am to 5 pm; and at 5 Hattertown Road, 2 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, as well as 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Hollandia Gift & Garden, 95 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, is open 9 am to 6 pm daily. Shakespeare's Garden, 25 Obtuse Road South, Brookfield, is open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday.

No matter the person's taste, budget - or door and window size - there is seemingly a wreath option for everybody this, and every, holiday season.

Castle Hill Farm in Newtown, Hollandia Gift & Garden in Bethel, and Shakespeare's Garden in Brookfield are among the local businesses that make wreaths seen on the front of residences and commercial establishments throughout town.

There are more than a dozen varieties of firs, spruces, pines, along with boxwood, cypress (which adds gold color to the wreath), and plants such as rhododendron and andromeda, used in wreaths made by Hollandia, according to owner Eugene Reelick. Velvety magnolia buds also add to the appearance and dimension of wreaths at Hollandia.

The freshly-made decorations not only spruce up the home for the holidays, but also provide nice scents - and are not limited to the traditional pine scents of season. "Concolor fir's fragrance is exceptional," Mr Reelick said of the citruslike smell of the concolor or white fir tree.

Diana Paproski of Castle Hill Farm notes that each green that goes into her wreaths has its own health-boosting property, such as healing with cedar. "I send good karma with each one," Ms Paproski said.

For sprucing up the holidays, the blue spruce tree had a great year, according to Ms Paproski, giving a nice touch of color to the wreaths she puts together.

The process of making a wreath begins with a metal frame in the shape of a ring. Bunches of tree branches are fastened onto the ring with a wreath-making machine that crimps the metal ring around the greenery.

The typical wreath, Mr Reelick said, is on a 16- to 18-inch ring and ends up being about 24 inches in diameter, with all of the greens in place. It takes about a half hour to assemble a wreath this size and have it ready for decoration.

"It takes less time to put the wreath together than to cut the greens to size," notes Shakespeare's grower and wreath-maker Garry Ober.

Then, there's the process of enhancing the wreath with decorations.

Mr Reelick said the items that go on wreaths range from bows and ribbon to various artificial fruits and nuts, and pinecones, as well as holly and berries.

Some of the wreaths come with lights. Customers can have custom-made wreaths. Mr Reelick says Hollandia has made a seasonal display with Tonka trucks incorporated into the wreath, for example.

One of the custom wreaths Shakespeare's Garden did was for a parent of a state champion lacrosse player. The wreath was made in the shape of an N for the name of the high school.

"We can put anything in there," Mr Ober said.

"The custom orders are fun because, first, you know you're going to sell the wreath," said Mr Ober, adding that custom orders lead to repeat business, as well.

Wreaths range in price from less than $50 to hundreds of dollars depending on the size and detail.

At Shakespeare's Garden, much of the greenery comes from the property. "That way, a customer is going to get a wreath that holds as long as it possibly can," Mr Ober said.

Shakespeare's Garden is responsible for making the 7-foot-diameter wreath that goes up on the Newtown Meeting House every holiday season.

"I love the scent and I love being outside," said Ms Paproski, who makes 12-, 14-, and 16-inch wreaths, along with her daughter, Stephanie Kearns, using fresh greens from the Castle Hill tree farm.

Ms Paproski adds that only greens needed are clipped to be sure they stay fresh and to ensure wreaths stay fresh throughout the holidays.

The local businesses also make other holiday decorations, including cemetery blankets, grave boxes, and sprays. Mr Ober said Shakespeare's will decorate chamber pots and whiskey barrels that customers bring to the shop. Kissing balls are also put together at both Hollandia and Shakespeare's.

Hollandia also sells artificial wreaths.

"They're a little more expensive, but next year it's half price because you have it," Mr Reelick points out.

Pre- and custom-made wreaths, natural or artificial, give consumers options to ensure they have the decoration they want. Not only does the homeowner get enjoyment, but those who make the wreaths also gain something that goes beyond the financial piece.

"I really like making people happy. I get great pride that somebody's going to hang up one of my art pieces on their front door," Ms Paproski said.