Confectionary items and flowers are considered synonymous with every festive occasion across the globe, including Christmas Day. Naturally, they seem to be the perfect gifts to offer loved ones residing in local areas or in far-off places. It is easy to choose the specific brands of chocolates, cakes, sweets, etc. that you would like to bestow upon them. Flowers, however, are a different matter altogether; you should choose them very carefully and thoughtfully.
Mexican Poinsettia
- This exquisitely charming flower is dedicated to the memory of a former American Ambassador to Mexico. Dr. Joel R. Poinsett brought the plant to South Carolina along with him, when he finished his term in 1835.
- He was fascinated by the Mexican legend involving the poverty-stricken Pablo and Maria. They were desperate to offer something to the church every Christmas Eve during the dramatization of the Christmas story, but were unable to do so. One year, they plucked some weeds growing by the roadside, deciding to place them around the manger. When they did so, the ordinary green leaves surrounding the manger changed into star-shaped, brilliant-red petals.
- Since then, the poinsettia has become the universal symbol for Christmas Day. It helps that the bracts are shaped like stars, seeming to represent the Star of Bethlehem.
- Blood-red may seem like a garish and loud colour when associated with apparel, footwear, and so on, but it only serves to make this flower appear stunningly radiant. It is possible to obtain the same species in pink and white colours too.
- Apart from being known as Christmas Flower, it is also called Flame Leaf, Lobster Flower and Flower of the Holy Night.
Snow or Winter Rose
- Before the poinsettia made an entrance, this flower was regarded as the traditional Christmas Flower, since it has a link to the birth of Christ.
- According to legend, Madelon, a small shepherdess desired to bestow a gift upon the newborn King. Since she had nothing of value to offer, a Heavenly Angel gave her an enchanting white flower, tinged with pink.
- Since then, these hardy, perennial flowers are very much in evidence during the festive season. They may be pure white or heavily tipped with pink.
Christmas Cactus
- Before you jump to conclusions, please be assured that this is not a thorny plant, similar to that found in a desert.
- It is native to the Brazilian Rainforest, growing on shrubs, trees, or amidst rocks in shady places. They may be grown indoors too, albeit with care.
- The similarity to the ordinary cactus plant lies in the plant’s flattened stems, which appear like green leaves. The cerise-coloured (resembling red tomatoes, rubies, blood, or cherries) flowers are glorious to behold.
These are not the only flowers that need to go into your gift bouquet; when you decide to send Christmas flowers by post in UK, or somewhere else. There are many others that are perfectly suitable for Christmas. You may even insert ferns, holly twigs and green leaves, to create the look of a natural garden.
