It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas time is filled with holiday lights, ornamented trees, lawn and door decorations along with the aroma of spices, peppermints and conifers tied to the anticipation and enjoyment of the season. In Addition, there is one definitive flower that says Christmas in all its glory. No holiday decor would seem complete without the pretty poinsettias.

December 12 is...

Poinsettia Day

How did the poinsettia get its name?

Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico being appointed by President John Quincy Adams in the 1820s. At the time of his appointment, Mexico was involved in a civil war. Because of his interest in botany he introduced the American elm into Mexico. During his stay in Mexico he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828 he found a beautiful shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States. [Source: en.wikipedia.org]

A Mexican Christmas & Poinsettia Legend...

There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give to the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked to the chapel, sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up.

'Pepita', he said. "I'm sure that even the smallest gift, given by someone who loves him will make Jesus Happy."
Pepita didn't know what she could give, so she picked a small handful of weeds from the roadside and made them into a a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed because she could only give this small present to Jesus. As she walked through the chapel to the altar, she remembered what Pedro had said. She began to feel better, knelt down and put the bouquet at the bottom of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw them were sure they had seen a miracle. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the 'Flores de Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the Holy Night'.
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity.[Source: whychristmas.com]

A Poinsettia Myth Busted...

The myth of the poisonous poinsettia plant first came about in 1920 when a child allegedly died after eating a portion of this festive plant. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, pets may experience some mild stomach upset, vomiting, or drooling if the poinsettia plant is eaten. Regardless if it’s your child(ren) or pet(s) you’re concerned about, it’s safe to say, that poinsettia plants are not the deadly threat they were once reported to be. 

Bottom Line: There is no need to exclude them from your holiday decor. 

[Source: ipcblog.org]

Also on today's Calendar...Holiday Sugar Shack!
Next on the Calendar...Stay tuned!