Christmas flowers facts for kids
Christmas flowers are special plants and flowers that people use to decorate their homes during the Christmas holiday season. In many countries, popular plants like Poinsettias, Christmas cactuses, holly, Christmas roses, ivy, and mistletoe are a big part of traditional Christmas decorations.
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Christmas Flowers in North America
Poinsettia: A Symbol of Purity
The ancient Aztecs, who were a powerful tribe in central Mexico long ago, thought the poinsettia was a symbol of purity. Later, early Christians in Mexico began to use the poinsettia as their special flower for Christmas Eve. In North America, the Mexican poinsettia is often called the Christmas Flower. It's used in many Christmas decorations because of its bright red color and because it blooms around the Christmas holiday. Sometimes, florists even dye them different colors or add glitter to make them look extra festive!
Christmas Cactus: Blooming for the Holidays
The Christmas cactus, also known as the orchid cactus, often blooms right around Christmas time. There are actually several different types of cactus that people sell as "Christmas cactus."
Christmas Rose: A Winter Bloom
One plant called the Christmas rose is seen as a true Christmas flower in some parts of the world. This Christmas rose (Serissa) is also known as the "snow rose" or "winter rose." It originally comes from warm, tropical areas of Asia, but when grown by people, it often blooms during the winter.
Another plant known as the Christmas rose is Helleborus niger.
Christmas Flowers in Europe
Holly: A Classic Decoration
Holly is a plant that many people in European countries connect with Christmas. You'll often see holly wreaths hanging on doors, and small branches of holly are used to decorate Christmas puddings.
Ivy: A Sign of Forever
Like many other Christmas plants, ivy leaves represent eternity (meaning forever) and resurrection (coming back to life).
Mistletoe: A Kissing Tradition
Mistletoe is a Christmas plant whose traditions are said to go back to the Pagans, who followed ancient religions. Druid priests, who were important religious leaders, used mistletoe in their winter celebrations hundreds of years before Christ was born. A more recent tradition is to share kisses under a sprig of mistletoe.
Christmas Flowers in New Zealand
In New Zealand, the pohutukawa tree is often linked to Christmas. Its bright red flowers usually appear in December, just in time for the holidays!
Images for kids
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A beautiful Christmas Cactus flower
See also
In Spanish: Planta de Navidad para niños
