As December settles in and holiday excitement builds, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the traditions that make this season so special. From classic Christmas floral like poinsettias and mistletoe to sweet treats and a certain mischievous elf, our holidays are shaped by centuries of evolving customs. Let’s take a closer look at some of these beloved traditions—and maybe learn a thing or two along the way!
Revisiting Classic Holiday TV Favorites
When Liza was a kid, holiday traditions often began with gathering around the TV to catch those classic specials at the exact time they aired. Remember waiting for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (with the unforgettable Burgermeister Meisterburger)?
These days, we have so many more holiday options—from Elf to The Polar Express and even animated shorts like Prep & Landing. With streaming platforms, there’s no more waiting by the clock. Yet, the spirit remains the same! Cozying up with loved ones and enjoying stories help shape our holiday mood.
Poinsettias: The Divas of the Holiday Plants
Love them or hate them, poinsettias are an enduring holiday icon. Fussy and sensitive, they’re originally from Mexico and absolutely cannot stand the cold—an interesting twist for a plant that we associate so closely with this wintry season. In their natural habitat, they grow like shrubs, far from the well-manicured pot we’re used to seeing.
Fun Facts About Poinsettias:
- Introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s, they skyrocketed in popularity thanks to savvy marketing and TV appearances in the 1900s.
- They’re not poisonous, contrary to popular belief. Although pets shouldn’t snack on them, ingesting poinsettias typically won’t cause more than mild discomfort.
- With over 100 varieties in hues beyond the classic red, poinsettias can be pink, white, speckled, and more.
Even if you have a “black thumb” when it comes to keeping them alive (trust me, I know that struggle), poinsettias continue to grace tabletops, church altars, and entryways, bringing a vibrant pop of holiday cheer.
Mistletoe: A Parasite With a Romantic Twist
Mistletoe might be known for the tradition of stealing a kiss beneath its green leaves and white berries, but this plant is more complex than its charming reputation. The word “mistletoe” can be translated to mean “thief of the tree.” It’s actually a parasitic plant that roots itself into a host tree. Birds spread its sticky seeds from branch to branch, creating those rounded clumps you might spot high in the treetops.
While the berries are poisonous and must be kept away from pets and children, mistletoe’s symbolic connection to love and fertility has made it a longstanding holiday icon, often hung in doorways to encourage festive smooches.
Gingerbread, Advent Calendars, and More Sweet Traditions
Food plays a massive role in holiday traditions. Gingerbread houses—whether meticulously iced or hot-glued together for fun—trace back to European stories like Hansel and Gretel. Gingerbread men, meanwhile, are said to have been first given as tokens to dignitaries by Queen Elizabeth I. And let’s not forget the gingerbread house competitions! Or cookie swaps that bring laughter, creativity, and sugar-fueled merriment to holiday gatherings.
Advent Calendars: Today, you can find calendars for everyone: candy-filled ones for kids, fishing lure versions for the outdoorsy types, and even advent calendars with mini liquor bottles for the grown-ups. They’re a daily reminder that the countdown to Christmas is filled with little joys.
Cookies and Baking: Whether you love rolling out and icing sugar cookies or experimenting with fruit-filled confections, baking brings people together. The warmth of the oven, the scent of vanilla and spices—these things make a house feel like home and create memories that linger long after the cookies are gone.
Eggnog, Pickles, and Other Unique Traditions
Holiday beverages like eggnog were once a luxury for the wealthy, preserved with liquor and served to warm up cold revelers. Although it can be an acquired taste (thick, rich, and sometimes overly sweet), eggnog remains a holiday staple, often spiked with rum or brandy.
Then there’s the curious custom of the pickle ornament. Hung discreetly on the Christmas tree, it’s said that whoever finds the pickle first is granted good luck. While its origins are murky, it’s a fun, lighthearted game that sparks conversation and smiles.
Wreaths, Bells, and the Influence of Green and Red
Wreaths made from evergreen branches offer a creative way to use trimmings from your Christmas tree. Shaped in a circle to symbolize unending love, wreaths are both decorative and meaningful. Bells, another long-standing tradition, once alerted us to the arrival of sleighs and carriages and today evoke nostalgic visions of carolers and church services.
As for those iconic holiday colors, green has always represented evergreen life in the dead of winter. Red’s popularity soared largely thanks to Coca-Cola’s marketing campaigns featuring a red-suited Santa. Over time, the palette stuck, and now red and green are synonymous with Christmas cheer.
Candy Canes, Fruitcake, and Christmas Cacti
Candy canes—originally peppermint sticks—may have started as a way to keep children quiet during church services or as a symbolic shape of a “J” for Jesus. Today, they come in every flavor imaginable. Love them or hate them, no one can deny their Christmas credentials.
Fruitcake, on the other hand, is often joked about but historically represented a very expensive, thoughtful gift. Preserving fruit and nuts was labor-intensive, making a dense, fruit-and-nut-packed cake a true luxury.
And let’s not forget the Christmas cactus (or its relatives, the Thanksgiving and Easter cacti). This blooming houseplant might show off its flowers at slightly inconvenient times, but it’s a beloved indoor gardener’s challenge—just one more way plants factor into our celebrations.
The Elf on the Shelf: Modern Tradition or Parental Test of Will?
The Elf on the Shelf has quickly become a phenomenon. Social media is filled with elaborate elf escapades—miniature winter wonderlands, fishing scenes, even ring camera “footage” of elves caught in action! If you’ve tried keeping up with this tradition, you know it can feel like a creative marathon. Just remember: there’s no shame in a simple setup now and then. The point is to bring joy, not stress.
Embracing Your Own Traditions
From the timeless beauty of wreaths to the quirky humor of pickles on a tree, holiday traditions are as varied as the people who celebrate them. Some have ancient roots in faith or folklore, while others emerged purely out of creativity (or clever marketing). All of them, however, invite us to share laughter, comfort, and connection with the ones we love.
So, bake those cookies, hang your mistletoe, and enjoy the little rituals that make this season bright. And if your elf is more of a low-key lodger than a full-blown theatrical production—don’t worry. The holidays are about delight, not perfection.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? Share your stories and inspirations in the comments below. Let’s continue celebrating the magic of the season together!
Our entire team at Wildly Native Flower Farm is Wishing you all the warmth, sweetness, and wonder of the holidays, no matter what traditions you hold dear.
