Flower Talk Issue #22
In This Issue:
- Christmas Facts!
- Santa Boot Arrangement
- The Christmas Wreath
- The Evolution of a Christmas Classic
- Become an Affiliate - earn 50% Commission
- Let Us Know What You Think
Christmas Facts!
As we gather for Christmas, each of our families has a different routine
to follow each year. They're all rooted in the same basic Christmas
rituals, though. But, what do we really know about our Christmas
traditions? Well, here are some historical facts and some other fun
facts about some holiday classics.
The Plants of Christmas:
Flowers are not something that usually come to mind, when you think
Christmas. Floral arrangements are more thought of around holidays like
Easter and Valentine's day. That doesn't mean that Christmas isn't a
plant holiday, though. Here are a few fun facts about some favorite
holiday plants.
Christmas Trees:
 Lighting a Christmas tree on the White House lawn has been a tradition
in the United States since 1923, when it was started by President
Coolidge. However, President Pierce was actually the first President to
have a Christmas tree in the White House way back in 1856.
Over the years, though, the tradition has been threatened a few times.
For example, President Teddy Roosevelt banned Christmas trees from the
White House. That didn't last long, but other problems popped up. For
instance, the lighting almost didn't happen when the entire Nation
observed a month-long morning period after President Kennedy was shot.
The tree wasn't lit until the twenty-second of December that year.”
Here's another interesting note about the Christmas tree. It's often
used as a symbol of good will and appreciation. For example,
Westminster, England receives a tree from Oslo, Norway each year. That
has gone on since 1947, because of the Norwegians' gratitude to Britain
for their assistance during World War II.
Mistletoe:
We all know that mistletoe is widely associated with kissing. In fact,
for many, the mere thought of it brings to mind all sorts of romantic
hopes or memories. Where did that custom get its start, though?
Well, it all started with the druids. They believed mistletoe was sacred
and that hanging it over their doors would bring them good luck and
protect the house from evil. In ancient times, guests kissed their
host's hand, as a sign of good faith. To do so under mistletoe was
considered to be a promise of eternal friendship between visitor and
host.
Of course, as the tradition evolved, it became one of a man and women
kissing on the lips under the mistletoe. Originally, it was believed
that, if an unmarried woman was kissed, the mistletoe should be burned,
since the woman would then marry. Of course, these days, nobody burns
mistletoe. Everyone will take any excuse for a kiss.
You might not be so eager to kiss under it, however, if you knew the
literal translation. In the Anglo-Saxon language, “mistletoe translates”
over to “dung on a twig”, which is a funny thought, but not a very
romantic one.
Holly:
Did you know that there are actually many species of holly berry? Some
aren't even evergreen at all. Of course, we never hear about those. The
red berries on evergreen wreaths, after all, are a beautiful classic.
Just don't eat them, since holly is poisonous.
Poinsettias:
Poinsettias, on the other hand, most people think are poisonous. They
actually aren't,
though. Here are some other short, fun facts about
them.
In Chili and Peru, poinsettias are known as “The Crown of the Andes”.
In North America, Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant.
Poinsettias as we know them are not at all how they're found in the
wild. In fact, wild poinsettias are more like shrubs, which can actually
reach heights of over ten feet. So, think about that, the next time you
use a poinsettia as a centerpiece on your holiday dining table.
Other Holiday Traditions:
Of course, not all of the Christmas season is about plants. So, here are
some fun general facts about some popular holiday icons.
Media:
The most popular and most played Christmas movie of all time is the
Jimmy Stewart classic, It's A Wonderful Life. Although it was originally
made in black and white, it can now be seen several times each holiday
season in both it's original form and in color.
It only took Charles Dickens six weeks to write the beloved classic, A
Christmas Carol.
One of the most popular songs for Christmas is Jingle Bells. It would
probably surprise you to know, then, that it was originally a
Thanksgiving song. It's no wonder that it's now a Christmas classic. It
certainly conjures more images of Christmas gatherings than of
Thanksgiving.
Candy Canes:
 Candy canes, of course, bring to mind a lot of Christmas thoughts.
Whether you're hanging them on the Christmas tree, just eating them or
breaking them up to put in cookies or cakes, they're definitely a major
part of the holiday.
Candy canes have not always been hook shaped, though. Nor have they
always been striped. They got their hook shape in 1670, but didn't get
their popular stripes until 1900. And it wasn't until the late 1900's
that their flavors started changing.
For some, candy canes just have to be peppermint flavored. For others,
though, chocolate, cinnamon, wintergreen and fruit flavors are enticing.
Now, candy canes can be found in almost any flavor imaginable. They can
also be found in almost any size imaginable, with the biggest on record
being over thirty-six feet long.
Fruitcake:
What better way to finish things off than with the Christmas icon that
most of us love to hate?
Fruitcakes have been around since Roman times. They weren't always a
holiday tradition, though. They started out for one reason, to give
crusaders energy. They had to last a long time and be full of important
nutrients. Nobody ever said they had to taste good, though.
It was the English that really started the tradition of having fruitcake
to celebrate Christmas, but they began by calling it plum porridge and
eating it, traditionally, on Christmas Eve.
By the 16th century, fruitcakes started to be cooked with eggs, butter
and wheat flour, as well as exotic spices. It was the addition of those
spices that made fruitcakes known as “Christmas cakes”. That was because
people were reminded of the Wise Men bringing exotic spices to Jesus.
Of course, whatever the history of fruit cake, most people aren't really
fond of it. Many people have even forgotten why they bother making it. A
lot of places have even taken to having contests to invent unique ways
to destroy fruitcakes, such as launching them from launchers, called
trebuchets, or seeing who can throw one the furthest with their own
arms.
Santa Boot Arrangement
To make this simple arrangement just
click here.
The Christmas Wreath
- The Evolution of a Christmas Classic
Christmas isn't exactly known as a holiday for enjoying floral
arrangements. Yet, for most of us, we have such arrangements right under
our noses, or, rather, hanging on our doors and walls, each holiday
season. I'm talking, of course, about the tradition of the Christmas
Wreath.
These days, Christmas wreaths come in all shapes and sizes. We hang some
on our doors or our walls. We lay some on our tables with candles as
center pieces. We even have miniature wreath Christmas ornaments to hang
on our Christmas trees. Not only that, but the wreaths can be made out
of almost anything. They can have traditional leaves, berries or
evergreen branches, but they can also be made out of non-traditional
items from candy to yarn. How did it all begin, though?
Persia Greece And Rome:
Wreaths seem to have gotten their start way back in the days of the
ancient Persian Empire. Back then, though, they were called diadems and
worn mostly as headbands. They were more half circle shaped, not round.
A similar practice showed up in 776 BC when winners in the Olympic Games
were given laurel wreath crowns. Even the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar,
used to wear a wreath on his head. So, it's a practice that has spanned
many cultures.
Holly Wreaths:
 As you know, holly berries often play a key role in Christmas
decorations, including wreaths. It was the ancient druids that started
that practice. The druids believed, you see, that holly plants were
actually magical and that's why they stayed green for the entire year.
When Rome was overtaken by Christianity, holly wreaths became a major
symbol of the holidays, but mistletoe, another popular favorite these
days, was believed to be pagan and, thus, was not accepted. In fact, in
575 AD, a Catholic Bishop banned Christmas greens and they weren't
welcomed in churches again for quite some time.
Holly wreaths took hold again in the 17th century and colonists even
added their own unique spin to the custom, putting pomegranates in their
wreaths to symbolize wealth. They would remove the fruit and use it for
part of their Christmas feast on January 5th, after a twelve-day
celebration. That's where the popular Christmas song, “The Twelve Days
of Christmas”, gets its roots.
Advent Wreaths:
Advent wreaths began with the Germanic tribes in the pre-Christian era.
They used to gather greens and form them into wreaths, as well as
burning fires. It was symbolic to them of renewing light with the coming
of Springtime. As the Christians carried on the tradition, it continued
to symbolize light, but it came to mean more as a symbol of Christ's
everlasting light, not just the warmth and renewal of Spring.
A traditional advent wreath contains four candles around the wreath and
one candle at its center. The candles are lit each day, but only one is
lit the first week. The next week, two are lit and so on until the 5th
candle is lit on the 25th, Christmas. The advent wreath if a perfect
wreath to use in floral arranging.
19th Century America:
Another step in the life of the Christmas wreath occurred in 19th
century America. Wreaths were often made and placed on grave stones of
loved ones around Christmas time. After a while, the wreaths were
removed and brought to the houses of the family, where they decorated
the home until the end of the season.
An Amish Twist:
Even in Amish country, the Christmas wreath tradition prevails. Amish
quilts are often adorned with the wreath pattern. Sometimes it's an
interlocking ring of tulips or various other items. In any case, they
are definitely warm and inviting, just as any wreath should be.
Modern Christmas Wreaths:
Of course, these days, Christmas traditions have evolved a bit. Many
people buy plastic wreaths to hang up each year. Now, the possibilities
are limitless. There are so many materials, such as silk and vinyl, to
choose from that each Christmas Wreath, weather real or artificial, is
unique.
There are the traditionalists who prefer an Advent, holly or evergreen
wreath. For many people, though, like everything else, Christmas wreaths
have become a commercial endeavor. Cheap, plastic wreaths adorn many
homes.
Coming Together:
 For many families, though, creating their own Christmas wreaths is still
a holiday tradition. It's a way for parents and children to bond. It's
as much a tradition as carving a pumpkin on Halloween. So, it can be a
great family craft project and a way to bring the whole family together.
Kids will love making their own wreaths of materials around the house.
The Meaning Of Christmas Wreaths:
Throughout the ages, Christmas wreaths have come to symbolize many
things. Fertility, warm wishes for spring, victory in battle or in the
Olympic games, wealth and prosperity are just a few of them. What it all
comes down to at the root, though, is that Christmas wreaths have always
brought joy to those who have them. Just thinking of them conjures up
wonderful memories of the holidays for many of us. So, regardless of
what sort of wreath you hang, be sure to hang at least one this holiday
season and consider all of the meanings behind it.
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Tell Us What You Think
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