THE FIRST PLANT OF CHRISTMAS
THE POINSETTIA
As a symbol of Christmas, the poinsettia is a completely American development. It was brought to the country in 1836 by our first Minister of Mexico, Dr. Joel R. Poinsett, and was thus named after him. As it grew in the wild, the poinsettia was a wild, small weed, but cultivation has produced the lovely flamboyant flower we know today.
CARE AND UPKEEP
Poinsettia's are sensitive, they drop leaves if placed in a warm or cool draft, or in a two warm or too cool room. Water soil thoroughly when necessary and avoid drafts. Be sure to remove or loosen the foil wrap around a clay pot to insure that the soil drains properly.
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Another tradition for many years during this time of year are Christmas Seals. Ever wonder its origin?
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS SEALS
In 1904, Einar Holboell, a postal clerk in Denmark, devised a plan for selling special stamps at Christmas to indicate to others that users had given charitably to some worthwhile cause. It seems to be a modern equivalent of ancient Christian giving to the needy, when none were turned away at the door during the Christmas season. Here in the United States, the fight against certain diseases is the cause most closely associated with the sale of the seals each year.
