Christmas Flowers

Christmas flowers! Who would have thought there could be so many flowers in this, the darkest and coldest time of the year in the northern hemisphere. Few flowers grow in winter. However, a vast network of flower growers all around the world provide us with astonishing fresh flowers, even during the Christmas season.

This month, we brought in amazing red and white rose from Ecuador, embellishing table arrangements for holiday feasts.

Poinsettias, always a favorite, originate from the pacific coast of Mexico. In the early 1800s, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, a man by the name of Poinsett, brought these unique plants to the United States. The colored bracts, usually bright red, are the leaves, not the flowers. The small, yellow flowers, often escaping our attention, quietly add their "touch of gold." These plants brighten any home or venue.

Evergreen Christmas wreaths, used over centuries for their enduring qualities, not only decorated doors but were also used on tables with candles. Advent candlelight warmed the homes of Christians in the weeks leading up to the holy days of Christmas.

The early Romans brought evergreen trees into their homes at Christmas; a tradition that continues today. I remember my dad, a westerner from Phoenix, Arizona, telling me they used actual candles on their Christmas trees with small metal reflectors - the only things preventing the tree from catching fire.

Lights, music, dear friends, delicious food and flowers bless our homes this season, and here at Elegant Event Flowers, we wish you a wonderful Christmas.