Christmas door wreaths are synonymous with the festive period – a grand entrance to greet guests at your front door.

But as one Alsager florist will explain, they mean a lot more and can even be a way of getting us to relax and find peace at such a busy time.

"We all live such hectic and busy lives these days," says Sam Gregory, who owns Flower Passion in Alsager with business partner Mel Rowley.

"It's wonderful to see people at our wreath making workshops relax and wind down.

"It's great for our mental well-being. When people get their hands into the moss and start creating a wreath, they're connecting with nature."

Sam, who lives in Rode Heath, opened the Lawton Road business with her business partner in 2011.

After having been made redundant from her job with a retail company, she decided to go back to college and learn floristry at Reaseheath College.

That was many years ago and today Sam and Mel have a thriving business in the centre of Alsager.

A selection of Christmas wreaths are available at the shop this time of year, but the trend for people to make their own is increasing.

"We're holding at least four wreath making workshops a week at the moment and people love them.

"We live in a bit of a rat race and this is a great way of slowing down and relaxing. The smells of Christmas are wonderful – cinnamon and spruce.

"They last quite a while and we cater for all tastes – from traditional to something a bit different.

"Some people like pink or black in their door wreath which we can do with baubles and trinkets.

"It's wonderful to see people creating their own designs and getting creative. You can see them relaxing."

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year and it's the first time in a while the business partners will not be working on that day.

"We're very busy in the run-up to Christmas and it will be lovely to sit back on Christmas Eve knowing the job we have brought to our customers," said Sam.

"That's what we're here for – to give great customer service and put a smile on people's faces and we wish all our customers a merry Christmas."