By Laura Jensen, Floriculture Correspondent
NEW YORK, NY — While many modern observances conclude on December 25th, florists and historians point to the enduring significance of the Twelve Days of Christmas, a period spanning from Christmas Day through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. This extended duration represents a vital opportunity for florists to engage customers through diverse cultural and historical traditions centered around specific holiday botanicals, particularly the classic evergreens and the perennial favorite, the poinsettia.
Historically, this nearly two-week span was marked by continuous feasting, gift-giving, and religious devotion across countless cultures. Flowers and foliage served not merely as decoration, but as powerful symbols that interpreted complex religious narratives and ancient seasonal rites.
The Sacred Trio: Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe
The foundation of European Christmas floral design rests on three durable evergreens: Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe. Their prominence pre-dates Christianity, rooted in Winter Solstice celebrations where the persistent life of evergreens promised the return of spring.
Holly, with its sharp leaves and vibrant red berries, carries deep Christian symbolism, where the prickles recall the Crown of Thorns and the berries represent the blood of Christ. Beyond this, Romans exchanged holly during Saturnalia as a sign of good fortune. Florists value the glossy leaves of Ilex aquifolium but must manage a key challenge: keeping cut stems hydrated to prevent leaf drop.
The tenacious Ivy symbolizes fidelity and eternal life, often paired with holly in medieval decorations to signify balance. Its trailing habit makes it essential for adding dynamic movement in garlands and wreaths.
Mistletoe holds the most storied, romantic, and pagan past. Druids revered it, and Norse mythology links its white berries to the goddess Frigg. By the 18th century, the familiar kissing custom emerged in England, with a specific rule mandating the removal of one berry for each kiss claimed. Crucially for retailers, mistletoe is challenging to cultivate and is usually wild-harvested. Due to its toxicity, consumer education regarding keeping the berries away from children and pets is essential.
Poinsettia’s Journey: From Aztec Dye to American Icon
No holiday flora is more dominant today than the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Originating in Mexico, the Aztecs called it cuetlaxochitl and used its brilliant red bracts for dyes and medicines.
In the 17th century, Franciscan monks transformed the plant, naming it Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve Flower) for its perfect seasonal timing and star-shaped leaves. Its introduction to the United States came in the 1820s via Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.
The plant’s widespread commercialization, however, is attributed to the Ecke family of California. Through advanced grafting techniques and pioneering marketing strategies—including sending free plants to television studios for placement on holiday sets—Paul Ecke Jr. made the poinsettia an indispensable Christmas fixture.
Florists must prioritize temperature control above all: poinsettias are highly sensitive to cold. Exposure below 50°F during transit, even briefly, can result in chilling injury and subsequent leaf drop. To ensure maximum display life, customers should be advised to choose plants where the small, central true flowers (cyathia) are still budding, not fully open and shedding pollen.
The Grand Finale: Epiphany and Beyond
The culmination of the Twelve Days, Epiphany (January 6th), celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men. This timing remains critical for florists serving Latin cultures, especially in Spain and Mexico, where Día de los Reyes often surpasses Christmas Day as the chief day for gift-giving and feasting.
For Epiphany arrangements, florists transition from simple red-and-green to opulent palettes reflecting the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Lavish designs incorporating metallic accents, jewel tones of purple and deep red, and exotic elements signal the season’s grand conclusion.
Retail opportunities abound during this often-overlooked extended season. Florists can offer Twelve Days Subscription Services, providing fresh greenery bundles every few days to sustain the festive atmosphere. Hosting workshops on classic customs, such as building a Kissing Bough—the predecessor to the Christmas tree—also connects patrons to the rich, enduring history that defines the traditional holiday season. By understanding and honoring these diverse customs, florists ensure these deep-rooted floral traditions continue to flourish.