Poinsettia
In Mexican folklore, a young girl had no gif for that baby Jesus. She gathered roadside weeds in her sadness, but as she placed them at the altar, they burst into brilliant red poinsettias. It’s a poignant reminder that even the simplest of gifts if given in love can become extraordinary.
Holly
Christian folklore says the pointed barbed leaves symbolize Christs crown in do thorns and the berries were nice white but are now red, representing the drops of blood. In pre-Christian pagan Europe, it was believe when hung above doorways it would guard the home during winter's dark nights.
Hellebore
According to legend, a young shepherdess wept because she had no gift for the baby Jesus. Her tears feel to the ground and from them sprung a hellebore in the snow. Today, they’re known as the Christmas Rose.
Mistletoe
I need Norse mythology, the god Baldr was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. His mother wept until her tears brought him back to life. Overjoyed, she declared mistletoe a symbol of peace - promising to kiss anyone who passed beneath it.
Yew
A common evergreen around old churchyards, they symbolize the cycle of life, remembrance of ancestors and spiritual protection. Its branches were sometimes woven into early Christmas greenery.
Dried orange slices
Oranges were once rare winter luxuries. Their golden color represented the sun, warmth and abundance - a perfect symbol for midwinter celebrations. Hanging them on trees or garlands was believed to attract prosperity.
Apples
In early English Christmas traditions apples were hung on trees to symbolize wholeness, health and renewal. They we’re also used in paradise plays - a precursor to modern Christmas
