HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-12-21, Page 35The plants of Christmas
Decking the halls with holly or
hanging mistletoe is nothing new,
according to National Wildlife
magazine. These and other plants
and flowers that we associate with
Christmas have long traditions.
In ancientRome, holly wreaths
were sent to newly married couples
to express congratulations and good
will. Like other peoples around the
world, the Romans believed that the
holly warded off evil spirits.
In England mistletoe protected
against witches, dogs and wild
beasts. At Christmas, every house,
Handling
natural trees
If you’re buying a real Christmas
tree, your chances of getting a fresh
one are better if you shop early.
Check for the following:
A strong scent of pine is an
indicator of freshness.
Bend the tips of the branches. If
the tree is fresh, they should bend
easily without snapping or breaking.
Bounce the tree off the ground two
or three times. Only a few needles
should fall if it’s fresh. If it “snows”
needles, it’stoodry; look for another
tree.
At home, cut off about two inches
from the trunk. Then stand it in the
shade in a container of water until
you’re ready to take it indoors.
Make sure you pick a place that’s
safely away from heat sources --
register, radiator, TV, fireplace --
and foot traffic. And it’s best to
select a place where the lights can be
plugged in without using an exten
sion cord.
church, street corner and market
place in London was decorated with
holly. Upon discovering holly in
America, the early settlers were
overjoyed to find a touch of “home”
in the new land.
The Indians of Pennsylvania used
holly as a badge of courage, while
New Jersey Indians used the wood
for tomahawk handles. Tribes to the
south drank holly tea to give them
strength.
The custom of kissing under the
mistletoe comes from the Norse
legend of Balder, the sun god.
Fearing for her son’s life, Frigga
extracted promises from every lving
thing nottokill Balder. Unfortunate
ly, she forgot the mistletoe.
The rival god Loki made a sharp
arrow of mistletoe wood and shot
Balder. As the myth goes, Balder’s
light (the sun) lessened, and Frig-
ga’s tears turned to mistletoe
berries. So impressed were the gods
that they saved Balder. Frigga was
so oveijoyed that she kissed every
one who walked beneath the mistle
toe.
In Mexican homes, the poinsettia
is known as “flor de la noche-
buena” - the Christmas Eve flower.
And in homes across America, this
colorful plant has become as much a
partofChristmastradition as the
Christmas tree.
Americans inherited the tradition
of highlighting Christmas with
poinsettias from their Mexican
neighbours. Numerous legends at
tempt to explain its popularity there.
According to one, many years ago a
young child in Cuernavaca wept
because she had no flowers to place
at the manger. »
An angel appeared to the child and
directed her to pick a weed from the
roadside, place it before the altar,
and wait. Thechild obeyed and, soon
after the weed was placed at the
Nativity scene, it was transformed
into a tall, beautiful plant bearing
the whorl of scarlet leaves that
became the poinsettia.
The plant was introduced into the
United States about 1830 by Joel
Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S.
minister to Mexico and an able
botanist. After supplying his own
greenhouses in Greenville, South
Carolina, he distributed plants to his
friends and to botanical gardens.
Christmas Is
I
Besf ivis/ks during
his Christmas SeasoiQ
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'■ ■ :
For Sharing
With fondest wishes for
health and happiness,
we send our
friends and customers
our sincere thanks.
KNIGHT
INSURANCE
YVONNE KNIGHT
887-6476
RR#3, Brussels
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1988. PAGE 35.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
Our message to all comes through
loud and clear: Merry Christmas
to all and a Happy New Year!
BOWES
farmer ocfc & Safe Co
/fgo
Brassefs
ftp "All ] i
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~ i Hi
We remember everything Christmas has meant to us over the years,
and hope that you find the joy that this season brings.
Elaine
Tamara
Debbie & Tammi
Our many thanks to each and all.
From your friends at
Hl ei n cm b cr iniiL'ti...
Shop will be closed from Dec. 25/88 - Jan. 6/89
Congratulations to
Tyler Stewart
of Blythwhowon
our $100 gift certificate.