Understanding the 12 Days
The 12 Days of Christmas span from December 25 (Christmas Day) through January 6 (Epiphany), representing the time it took the Three Wise Men to travel to Bethlehem. This festive period is celebrated differently across cultures, with flowers and greenery playing central roles in traditions worldwide. While modern celebrations often end on December 25th, historically this was just the beginning of a nearly two-week festival of feasting, gift-giving, and religious observance.
The Essential Greenery: Holly, Ivy & Mistletoe
These three evergreens form the backbone of Christmas floral traditions across Europe and beyond. Their use predates Christianity, rooted in ancient Winter Solstice celebrations where evergreens symbolized the promise of spring’s return and were believed to ward off evil spirits during the darkest days of winter.
Holly: The Crown of Thorns
Holly’s association with Christmas runs deep in Christian tradition. Its prickly leaves came to represent Christ’s crown of thorns, while the red berries symbolized drops of His blood. In Scandinavian countries, holly is known as “Christ Thorn,” emphasizing this connection. But holly’s significance extends far beyond Christian symbolism. The Romans exchanged holly wreaths during Saturnalia, their winter festival, as tokens of good fortune. Medieval traditions considered holly the “male plant,” often paired with ivy in decorations to represent balance.
For florists, holly presents both opportunities and challenges. The most desirable stems feature abundant, bright red berries that should be firm to the touch. Holly can be temperamental once cut—leaves may drop if the stems aren’t kept properly hydrated. Mist the foliage regularly and ensure stems are in water at all times. The glossy leaves and vivid berries create stunning contrasts in arrangements, wreaths, and garlands. English holly (Ilex aquifolium) remains the traditional choice, though American holly (Ilex opaca) with its matte leaves offers a different aesthetic.
Ivy: The Evergreen Companion
Ivy represents eternal life and fidelity, its evergreen nature and clinging habit making it a powerful symbol of constancy. In medieval England, there was a playful tradition where ivy was designated the “female plant” to holly’s “male.” Whichever was brought into the house first on Christmas Eve supposedly determined whether the man or woman would “rule” the household for the coming year. The Romans associated ivy with Bacchus, their god of wine and revelry, which connected it to the festive spirit of celebration.
In Shropshire, England, farmers maintained the curious custom of feeding ivy to their animals on Christmas morning, believing it would protect them from evil throughout the year. For florists, ivy’s trailing nature makes it invaluable for creating movement and flow in arrangements. It drapes beautifully over mantelpieces, can be woven into wreaths and garlands, and adds texture without overwhelming other elements. Variegated varieties with cream or white markings provide visual interest and can lighten darker arrangements.
Mistletoe: The Sacred Parasite
Mistletoe holds perhaps the most romantic place in Christmas tradition, though its origins are decidedly pagan. The Druids considered mistletoe sacred, especially when found growing on oak trees, and would harvest it with golden sickles during elaborate ceremonies. In Norse mythology, mistletoe was connected to Frigg, goddess of love, whose tears became the plant’s distinctive white berries after her son Baldur was killed by a mistletoe arrow.
The kissing tradition emerged in 18th-century England with specific rules: a berry was plucked for each kiss, and when all berries were gone, no more kisses could be claimed beneath that particular bunch. This custom likely evolved from mistletoe’s ancient associations with fertility and romance. For florists, mistletoe presents unique challenges. It’s a parasitic plant that grows on host trees and is difficult to cultivate commercially. Most mistletoe is wild-harvested from apple, lime, hawthorn, or poplar trees. Handle with care, as the white berries are poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets. Despite these challenges, a fresh bunch of mistletoe commands premium prices during the season and adds authentic tradition to Christmas décor.
Historical Decorating Practices
The Kissing Bough
Before the Christmas tree became ubiquitous, the kissing bough reigned as the centerpiece of holiday decoration in English homes from Tudor through Victorian times. These elaborate spherical constructions were far more complex than modern wreaths. Five wooden hoops were joined to form a ball shape, which was then densely decorated with holly, ivy, rosemary, bay, and fir branches. Red apples hung from ribbons inside the sphere, symbolizing the Garden of Eden and the promise of spring’s bounty. Candles were carefully positioned around the horizontal hoop or at the bottom, creating a chandelier effect. Most importantly, a large bunch of mistletoe hung from the center bottom, encouraging the traditional kisses. These kissing boughs were suspended over doorways or in the center of rooms, serving as both decoration and social focal point for holiday gatherings.
The Sacred Timing of Decoration
Traditional cultures maintained strict rules about when greenery could enter the home. Bringing decorations inside before Christmas Eve was considered extremely bad luck, potentially inviting misfortune for the entire year. On Christmas Eve, families would gather fresh greenery and spend the evening transforming their homes. These decorations would remain in place through all twelve days of Christmas, a physical manifestation of the extended celebration.
The removal of decorations carried equal importance. Most households took down their greenery on Twelfth Night (the evening of January 5th) or on Epiphany morning (January 6th). Leaving decorations up past this point was believed to invite bad luck. However, regional variations existed. In some areas, decorations remained until Candlemas on February 2nd, marking the end of the entire Christmas season. Parts of Yorkshire maintained the unique tradition of leaving holly in churches until Good Friday, creating a visual link between Christmas and Easter.
The Poinsettia: Mexico’s Gift to Christmas
Ancient Mexican Heritage
Long before Europeans arrived in the Americas, the Aztecs cultivated a striking plant they called “cuetlaxochitl,” meaning “mortal flower that withers like all that is pure.” The Mayans knew it as “k’alul wits” or “ember flower,” recognizing the brilliant red of its modified leaves. These civilizations used the plant for practical purposes: the red bracts provided dyes for textiles and cosmetics, while the milky latex sap served medicinal purposes, including treating fevers and increasing nursing mothers’ milk production.
Christian Transformation
In 17th-century Mexico, Franciscan monks in Taxco recognized the plant’s dramatic red coloration and star-shaped leaf pattern as perfect symbols for Christmas celebrations. They began incorporating the plants into nativity processions and church decorations, renaming them “Flor de Nochebuena” (Christmas Eve Flower). A charming Mexican legend grew around the plant: a poor girl named Pepita had no gift to bring to the Christmas Eve service. Encouraged by her cousin to offer whatever she could, she gathered humble roadside weeds. When she placed them before the nativity scene, they miraculously transformed into brilliant red poinsettias, demonstrating that heartfelt offerings matter more than material wealth.
Journey to North America
The poinsettia’s introduction to the United States came through Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. A botanist and physician by training, Poinsett was fascinated by Mexico’s flora during his diplomatic posting from 1825 to 1829. He sent cuttings back to his greenhouse in Greenville, South Carolina, and began propagating and sharing the plants with botanical gardens. The plant made its public debut at the Philadelphia Flower Show in 1829 and was eventually named in Poinsett’s honor. December 12th is now celebrated as Poinsettia Day, commemorating the anniversary of Poinsett’s death in 1851.
The Ecke Family Revolution
The poinsettia might have remained an obscure botanical curiosity if not for the Ecke family of California. In the early 20th century, Paul Ecke developed innovative grafting techniques that made poinsettias bushier and more suitable for indoor cultivation. His son, Paul Ecke Jr., transformed the family business into a marketing powerhouse. In the 1960s, he pioneered the strategy of sending free poinsettias to television stations before Thanksgiving, ensuring the plants appeared in the background of holiday programming. This brilliant marketing made poinsettias synonymous with Christmas in American culture.
The Ecke family also developed numerous cultivars, expanding beyond the traditional red to include white, pink, salmon, cream, and marbled varieties. Modern poinsettias may have ruffled bracts, compact growth habits, or unusual color combinations. The Ecke Ranch once controlled 90% of the domestic poinsettia market and 50% of the worldwide market before propagation secrets became more widely known in the 1990s.
Essential Care for Florists
Poinsettias require specific conditions to develop their characteristic colored bracts. They need complete darkness for at least 12 hours daily for 8-12 weeks before the desired display date, mimicking their natural photoperiod response in southern Mexico. Any light interruption during the dark period can delay or prevent coloration. Ideal growing temperatures range from 60-70°F during the day and 55°F at night.
The poinsettia’s extreme sensitivity to cold presents significant challenges for florists. Even brief exposure to temperatures below 50°F—just minutes during transport from truck to store—can cause chilling injury that manifests days later as leaf drop and discoloration. Always protect plants during transit with sleeves or boxes, and never display them near cold drafts, heating vents, or exterior doors.
What consumers call the “flower” is actually a collection of colorful modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are the small, greenish-yellow structures (cyathia) in the center. When these flowers are shedding pollen, the plant is past its prime display period. Select plants with fully colored bracts but undeveloped or barely visible cyathia for longest-lasting displays.
Regional Celebrations Through the 12 Days
December 25 – Christmas Day (Day 1)
Christmas Day marks the beginning rather than the culmination of holiday celebrations in traditional observance. In Western Christian traditions, the day often begins with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, where churches are lavishly decorated with poinsettias, white lilies symbolizing purity, and arrangements featuring holly and ivy. Families return home to feasts that can extend throughout the day. In Mexico, the Christmas Eve celebration called “Noche Buena” features poinsettias prominently, with plants lining church aisles and decorating homes. The day itself is spent with family, with relatively little commercial activity.
For florists, Christmas Day offerings should emphasize red poinsettias in various sizes, white lilies for those seeking religious symbolism, and abundant arrangements incorporating traditional greenery. Consider creating arrangements that will last through the twelve days, as many households maintain their decorations throughout this period.
December 26 – St. Stephen’s Day (Day 2)
Known as Boxing Day throughout the British Commonwealth, this day traditionally focused on giving to servants and the poor. The name derives from the practice of wealthy families boxing up gifts and leftover food from Christmas to distribute to their employees and less fortunate neighbors. In Ireland, St. Stephen’s Day maintains unique traditions including the “Wren Boys” procession, where groups visit houses singing and carrying a decorated pole.
Churches refresh their decorations on this day, removing any wilted greenery while maintaining the festive atmosphere. Florists should offer simple but elegant arrangements suitable for gift-giving, as many people visit family and friends during this extended holiday period. Greenery garlands and small mixed arrangements work well for hostess gifts.
December 27 – Feast of St. John the Evangelist (Day 3)
This day honors St. John, the only apostle to die of natural causes, who according to tradition survived drinking poisoned wine. In Tudor England, this legend inspired wine-drinking celebrations and the tradition of “wassailing,” where groups would visit orchards to toast the trees for good harvests. The Wassail bowl, filled with spiced ale or wine, would be shared among neighbors in a ritual that combined Christian and pre-Christian agricultural traditions.
Festive centerpieces for continuing gatherings remain appropriate. Many families host additional celebrations during these days, as the Christmas season was traditionally a time when work ceased and socializing flourished. Consider arrangements that complement dining and drinking traditions, perhaps incorporating fruits and berries that reference the abundance being celebrated.
December 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents (Day 4)
This solemn feast commemorates the children killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus. Traditionally, this was a more subdued day in the Christmas celebrations, with some regions observing it as a day of mourning. However, it also developed some curious customs, including “Childermas” traditions in England where children were given special privileges or where the youngest person in a household became “bishop for the day.”
Appropriate floral offerings shift toward white arrangements symbolizing innocence and purity. Simple wreaths and understated designs respect the day’s somber origins while maintaining the festive season’s continuity. Churches may request white flowers to complement existing decorations.
December 29-31 – The Heart of the Twelve Days (Days 5-7)
These middle days of the Christmas season saw the most elaborate celebrations in medieval and Tudor England. The “Lord of Misrule” or “Abbot of Unreason” oversaw entertainment and orchestrated role reversals where servants were served by their masters, and traditional hierarchies were temporarily suspended. These traditions echoed the ancient Roman Saturnalia and represented a sanctioned period of social inversion and merriment.
December 31st holds particular significance as both New Year’s Eve and the Feast of St. Sylvester in many European countries. “Silvester,” as it’s called in Germany, Austria, and parts of Central Europe, features its own distinct celebrations. In Scotland, Hogmanay customs include “first-footing,” where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts. Many churches hold Watchnight services that begin before midnight and conclude with prayers for the new year.
Florists can offer elegant arrangements for New Year’s Eve celebrations, emphasizing white flowers for fresh starts and new beginnings. Festive table centerpieces remain in demand as families and friends continue gathering throughout this period. Refilling church displays may be necessary as some greenery begins to dry out.
January 1 – New Year’s Day (Day 8)
New Year’s Day combines secular celebration with the religious Feast of the Circumcision of Christ (also called the Feast of the Holy Name). Traditional celebrations emphasize new beginnings, resolutions, and often include specific foods believed to bring good fortune. In the American South, black-eyed peas symbolize prosperity. In many European countries, particular attention is paid to the first visitor crossing the threshold, who should ideally bring symbolic gifts of coal (warmth), bread (food), and coins (wealth).
White arrangements and flowers symbolizing new beginnings—such as narcissus or white roses—appeal to customers seeking to mark the fresh start of the year while maintaining the Christmas season’s decorative spirit. Simple, elegant designs that can serve as hostess gifts for New Year’s Day visits remain popular.
January 2-5 – The Final Days (Days 9-12)
These closing days of the Christmas season maintain the festive atmosphere while gradually transitioning toward Epiphany. In many Catholic and Orthodox traditions, these are days of continued religious observance, family gathering, and feasting. Medieval traditions included specific saints’ days and customs. The anticipation builds toward Twelfth Night, which historically featured the most elaborate celebrations of the entire season.
Twelfth Night (the evening of January 5th) held special significance in English tradition, often featuring a special cake containing a bean and a pea. Whoever found these items would be crowned King and Queen of the festivities. This tradition evolved into the “king cake” still popular in Mardi Gras celebrations, showing how Christmas traditions influenced later festivals.
Florists should offer arrangements suitable for continuing celebrations while also preparing for the major celebration of Epiphany. Some churches may request fresh greenery to replace dried-out decorations, ensuring the season concludes with appropriate beauty.
January 6 – Epiphany (Day 12)
Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This day concludes the Christmas season in Western Christianity and marks a major celebration throughout Latin America, Spain, and parts of Europe. In Spanish-speaking countries, “Día de los Reyes” (Day of the Kings) is the traditional day for gift-giving, often more significant than Christmas itself.
In Spain and Latin America, cities host elaborate parades called “Cabalgata de Reyes” where the Three Kings ride through streets on camels or horses, throwing candy to children. Homes set out shoes filled with hay for the Kings’ camels, hoping to find them filled with gifts by morning. The traditional “Rosca de Reyes” (Kings’ Cake) is shared at family gatherings, with a tiny figure of baby Jesus hidden inside. Whoever receives the piece containing the figure must host a party on Candlemas (February 2nd), extending the season’s hospitality traditions.
For florists, Epiphany represents the season’s grand finale. Arrangements should be particularly lavish, incorporating gold accents, rich colors, and exotic elements that reference the Wise Men’s long journey and precious gifts. Gold-sprayed leaves, metallic ribbons, and rich jewel tones of purple, deep red, and royal blue create appropriate opulence. Frankincense and myrrh, while not typically available as fresh flowers, can be referenced through aromatic elements if regulations permit, or through the symbolic use of amber and golden tones.
In Orthodox Christianity, which uses the Julian calendar, Christmas falls on January 7th, and their twelve days extend into mid-January, creating additional opportunities for florists serving Orthodox communities.
Floral Traditions by Country
United Kingdom
British Christmas floral traditions emphasize the classic trio of holly, ivy, and mistletoe, supplemented with evergreen branches, rosemary, and bay. The Victorian era established many traditions still followed today, including elaborate door wreaths, mantelpiece garlands, and table centerpieces featuring candles surrounded by greenery. British florists should note strong preferences for traditional red and green color schemes, though white has become increasingly popular for its association with snow and winter elegance.
Church decoration remains an important service, with many parishes maintaining specific traditions about how and when flowers should be arranged. Some churches continue the practice of removing all flowers and greenery during the twelve days before Easter (Lent), making the Christmas season’s abundance particularly meaningful.
Mexico and Central America
The poinsettia dominates Mexican Christmas celebrations, known universally as “Flor de Nochebuena.” Churches, homes, and public spaces feature massed displays of red poinsettias, often arranged in elaborate patterns. The tradition of “Las Posadas” (December 16-24) involves processions reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, with homes decorated with poinsettias, marigolds, and paper flowers.
For Epiphany, celebrations reach their peak with the Day of the Kings. Florists create arrangements incorporating crowns, stars, and rich colors to honor the Wise Men. Fresh flowers mix with metallic elements and traditional folk art motifs. The warm climate allows for outdoor displays impossible in northern regions, and many families maintain elaborate home altars decorated with fresh flowers throughout the season.
Spain
Spanish Christmas traditions center heavily on Epiphany rather than December 25th. While Christmas Day is observed religiously, the major celebration and gift-giving occur on January 6th. Florists should prepare for increased demand leading up to Three Kings Day, with arrangements emphasizing gold, purple, and red—colors associated with royalty and the Wise Men’s gifts.
The tradition of decorating nativity scenes (belenes) with fresh flowers and greenery remains strong. Many Spanish homes and churches feature elaborate nativity displays that grow throughout the twelve days, with the figures of the Wise Men gradually moved closer to the manger, arriving on Epiphany.
Germany and Austria
Germanic traditions blend Christian symbolism with pre-Christian winter customs. The Advent wreath tradition originated in Germany, and the careful counting of days remains important. Florists should offer fresh greenery options throughout the twelve days, as German households often refresh their decorations.
The celebration of “Silvester” (New Year’s Eve) creates demand for festive arrangements. “Glücksschwein” (lucky pig) motifs appear, along with four-leaf clovers and horseshoes—symbols of good fortune for the new year. Many families maintain Christmas decorations through Epiphany, following traditional timelines.
Scandinavia
Scandinavian Christmas celebrations emphasize light during the darkest time of year. St. Lucia’s Day (December 13th) begins the Christmas season with processions featuring girls wearing candle crowns and white dresses. While not technically part of the twelve days, this tradition influences the entire season’s aesthetic.
Scandinavian design preferences favor simplicity and natural materials. Florists should offer arrangements featuring evergreen branches, white flowers, natural wood elements, and minimal ornamentation. The concept of “hygge” (cozy contentment) influences floral design, with an emphasis on creating warm, inviting atmospheres rather than formal displays.
Italy
Italian Christmas traditions extend through Epiphany and include some unique local customs. In many regions, the Christmas witch “La Befana” visits on Epiphany Eve, leaving gifts for children. According to legend, she’s searching for baby Jesus, having missed the opportunity to travel with the Wise Men.
Italian nativity scenes (presepi) are elaborate and may occupy entire rooms. Fresh flowers and greenery are carefully arranged around these displays. The tradition of the “Urn of Fate” in some regions involves drawing lots to determine the year’s fortune, often accompanied by floral offerings.
Red and white predominate in Italian Christmas floral design, with roses, carnations, and of course, plenty of evergreen branches. Italian florists often create matching arrangements for home and cemetery, as Italians traditionally visit family graves during the holiday season.
Modern Opportunities for Florists
Subscription Services
Consider offering “Twelve Days Subscriptions” where customers receive a fresh arrangement or greenery bundle every few days throughout the season. This capitalizes on the traditional extended celebration while providing steady business during the post-Christmas lull.
Educational Workshops
Host workshops teaching the history and construction of traditional kissing boughs, Victorian-style wreaths, or specific cultural traditions. Many customers appreciate learning the stories behind the customs they’re observing.
Corporate Services
Businesses increasingly recognize the twelve days as an opportunity for employee appreciation. Offer corporate packages for refreshing lobby displays or providing desktop arrangements throughout the extended season.
Cultural Authenticity
Serve immigrant communities by offering arrangements reflecting their homeland traditions. Mexican families may seek massed poinsettia displays, while Spanish customers might request Epiphany-specific designs.
Practical Considerations
Extending Freshness
Educate customers about proper care to ensure arrangements last through all twelve days. Holly, ivy, and evergreens can remain fresh for two weeks or more with proper hydration and cool temperatures. Misting helps prevent desiccation.
Safety Reminders
Always include information about plant toxicity, particularly with mistletoe, holly berries, and poinsettia sap. While poinsettias are not as toxic as once believed, they can cause stomach upset and skin irritation.
Sustainable Practices
Source locally grown evergreens and holly when possible. Many tree farms offer trimmings from Christmas tree cultivation. Dried arrangements can extend useful life and reduce waste.
Storage and Preparation
Plan inventory carefully for this extended season. Fresh greenery can be held in cold storage but quality degrades over time. Poinsettias require warm, draft-free conditions and cannot be held long after arrival.
The twelve days of Christmas represent a rich tapestry of traditions spanning cultures, centuries, and continents. For florists, understanding these diverse customs creates opportunities to serve customers more meaningfully while celebrating the deep historical connections between flowers, greenery, and human celebration. Whether providing traditional holly and ivy for British customers, massed poinsettias for Mexican families, or elaborate Epiphany arrangements for Spanish clients, florists serve as guardians and interpreters of these beautiful traditions.
By honoring both the ancient roots and modern expressions of Christmas floristry, we help ensure these traditions continue flourishing for generations to come.