We all remember that first kiss under the mistletoe with Christmas lights blinking, the smell of gingerbread wafting through the house, and the sound of happy people and carols in the background. Memories are made with the perfect plant for the perfect moment.
But it’s not just mistletoe that brings life into the home with a festive tradition. Here are some reasons why holiday flowers are so special and some traditions around them.
Why Holiday Flowers Are Such a Precious Gift
1. They Are Universal (But Oh So Personal)
Everyone loves getting flowers. It’s a thoughtful gift that brings joy, especially when it’s a perfectly selected bouquet to celebrate a special occasion. It’s a great way to brighten the home as the holidays approach. Even a simple poinsettia on the dining room table or a sprig of holly on the mantelpiece is sure to bring the spirit of Christmas home!
2. It’s Thoughtful in a 2021 Way
This year, everyone deserves a break. We’re all overextended, tired of global events, and in need of some simple solutions to bring cheer to friends and family. Holiday flowers tick all the boxes:
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It’s easy to customize your bouquet.
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Ordering online is convenient and safe.
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You can show how you feel with a personalized note.
3. Flowers Are The Ultimate Feel-Good Gift
Receiving flowers feels great! And it’s a gift that keeps giving for days on end, as it brightens up the room and the mood of everyone in it.
Traditions Around Holiday Flowers
Here are some of our favorite holiday flowers and plants, and the interesting traditions around them.
Mistletoe
Did you know that mistletoe is more than just an opportunity to kiss someone special? In ancient times the druids considered mistletoe a sacred plant, symbolic of Winter Solstice. Wearing white robes and red cloaks, they would cut it down and brew it into different potions.
Because it stays green during winter, the ancients saw it as a magical plant that symbolizes fertility. Hopeful couples even used it in the bedroom as a fertility charm. They didn’t know that mistletoe was only green all year-round because it has a parasitic relationship with the tree it grows on!
Poinsettia
Before Europeans arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs cultivated a flower called Cuetlaxochitl. They used the flowers to make a purple dye and the milk of the plant to treat fevers. The American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Robert Poinsett, saw the beautiful red blooms around Mexico during Christmas time and brought the Cuetlaxochitl to the United States.
In modern times, the poinsettia is a striking centerpiece at a festive table, and a common but well-loved gift.
Holly
This pretty plant, with its striking red berries, also predates Christian celebrations. The druids believed that the spiky evergreen leaves protected them against evil powers and wore holly wreaths around their heads.
These days it is commonly used in wreaths and highly recognizable in Christmas illustrations, holly is synonymous with the holiday season.
Fir, Pine, and Spruce: Christmas Trees
Some traditions believe that trees are gateways to other worlds. Siberians thought the world tree grew in a cosmic swamp and the moon and sun hung on its branches. Romans and Germanic pagans also believed in the power of trees.
These days, trees are more about tradition, fun, and beauty, and we decorate them with colorful ornaments and festive lights. Some use the sprigs of these trees in wreaths and bouquets.
Holiday Flowers Bring Joy
No matter how you use holiday flowers, it will make a significant impression on anyone who receives them or sees them in your home. It’s a simple and special way to make your loved ones feel more festive.
