Poinsettia Tablescape
Friends…my daughter sent me 3 large beautiful Poinsettia Plants that I want to share with you.
They are in birch baskets with beautiful red plaid tartan bows!
Imagine my surprise when the florist’s delivery man stood at my door holding one large plant and surrounded by 2 other large plants.
I was speechless to say the least.
A few years back, I did some research on Christmas poinsettias and I will share with you what I discovered.
Flower of the Holy Night (Poinsettia)
Yes, Flower of the Holy Night or better known as the Poinsettia! (More on that later)
Did you know there is a National Poinsettia Day?
Yep! and it is the 12th of December!
AND did you know that the plant was known as the Flower of the Holy Night and it’s origin was Southern Mexico?
Sit back, grab a cuppa of something and I will tell you a story.
I love legends, don’t you?
Legend has it that a little girl, named Pepita from the village of Taxco del Alarcon, Mexico was on her way to church to give a gift to the Christ child on Christmas Eve.
Only, she did not have a present or gift to give so she snatched up some “weeds” by the side of the road and when she presented her gift….they burst into the beautiful red color we see today on the Poinsettias.
Hence the name Flower of the Holy Night, or in Spanish, Flores de Noche Buena because the flowers bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
I like that story….sorta reminds one of the little drummer boy who only had his drum for a gift for the Christ Child.
The Symbolism Of The Poinsettia Plant
Symbolically, we have Jesus’ life story in one plant. The leaves symbolize the star that led the Wise Men to the newborn Jesus, the red leaves are a reminder of the blood of Christ shed during His crucifixion and the white leaves represent Christ’s purity. “The plants are a visible reminder for us of Christ’s birth and His death and the meaning behind those events.”
The Flowers’ Name
I also like to read about the origins and naming of flowers and the Poinsettia has a very interesting beginning.
This plant has a long and interesting history.
It is native to Central America and for some reason it flourished in Southern Mexico. This perennial shrub plant can grow 10-15 feet tall.
The Aztec Indians used the plant for medicinal and decorative purposes AND for dying textiles.
You see they used the purplish dye from the plant’s bract’s for textiles and the milky white sap called latex, treated fevers.
One day in 1828, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett (1779-1851) …who was the son of a French physician but also a lover of botany, sent some of the beautiful red plants from Taxco, Mexico to his hot houses on his Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina plantations.
There, he propagated the plants and sent them to friends and botanical gardens.
The name of the poinsettia was derived from Joel Poinsett’s name and you might also know that later, Joel Poinsett founded the Smithsonian Institution.
Congress honored Joel Poinsett by declaring December 12 as National Poinsettia Day which commemorates the date of his death in 1851.
The day was meant to honor Poinsett and encourage people to enjoy the beauty of this beautiful red holiday plant.
So today’s tablescape honors the poinsettia plant by being my centerpiece and featured on my napkin rings and my salad plates.
My Poinsettia centerpiece is a variegated yellow and red with lime green “leaves”. Every element on my table with the exception of the poinsettia plant have been in my ‘stash’ for years….and have been used many times in my past tablescapes.
The water glasses are red as well as the stemmed goblets.
The napkins are bright red with green laced edges and are encircled with the poinsettia napkin rings.
The flatware has red glass handles.
I have set the poinsettia salad plate on top of a red dinner plate.
The dinner plate sits on a white charger.
As a little gift for the guests, I added a red wrapped present topped with a candy cane and placed them atop the poinsettia salad plates.
Altho red is probably the most common color for the poinsettia, there are more colors such as white, cream, pink, burgundy, and yellow.
They are all so pretty.
Do you like poinsettia plants?
Luke 2:11-14 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’
Have a great and Blessed day.
Wow, Kari!! Your daughter gifted you with three large beautiful poinsettias that sure make a statement as they sit side by side on your counter. Lovely variegated one on your table too. My husband was just gifted with a red curly leaf poinsettia called Winter Rose which was new to me. I love all colors of poinsettias but haven’t had much luck in keeping them alive from one season to the next.
Go Jayhawks!
Jan I don’t think I have seen a curly ‘Winter Rose’ poinsettia…I’ll bet it is pretty! I know I was shocked at the 3 of them…my daughter is so sweet…(of course I know she reads these all my posts and comments, so I have got to say something nice about her). Just joking…she really is sweet. She came down for a visit a few weeks ago and helped me organize my dish closets/pantries….It really helped me get a ‘handle’ on a disorganized storage solution. 🥰❤️
And yes, Go Jayhawks…tonight we meet Davidson🥴 Rock Chalk Jayhawks. Wish DP could get his act together…when he plays…he does well, but we don’t need a bench cheerleader.🏀
Kari, I love Poinsettias. What a wonderful daughter you have. Sorry to be so late getting in here, but hubby has been in the hospital, and I’ll explain some other time. I love the Christmas look of your table. Everyone will be in a cheery mood as soon as they see it.
Love and hugs,
Sandy
Thank you my dear friend and we will be praying for Ron and you. Hugs and Blessings and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. hugs
Oh Kari, what a delightful and beautiful surprise! And you certainly knew exactly what to do with them. Your table is gorgeous. I love poinsettias, though with the cat I rarely have them. (I’m not sure where I’d put one but I’d make room!) It’s beautiful on your table. And boy, who wouldn’t want to sit at this table, enjoy good conversation and food in such a lovely spot! Merriest of Christmases to you — and thanks for sharing the background info too!
Oh Jeanie it is true one has to be careful with kitties and puppies around certain flowers. I have some lovely faux pink poinsettias that look so real (pot and all) …I set them out knowing my little Jesse James could not be harmed. Jesse is no longer with us, though he lived 20 years which is remarkable for a 5 pound white Pomeranian, but I was very careful of my Secret Garden plantings….and altho all the poinsettias are real in this post…if the little guy were here today, the plants would not be! Merry Christmas🎄
Kari, the poinsettias are gorgeous and a lovely surprise from your daughter! Thank you for sharing the history of the poinsettia. I remember reading a portion of the history a few years ago. Your table is beautiful, I love seeing all of the red!
Wishing you a Merry Thursday, my friend❤️✨🎄
Pam what a joyous season we are in and I am thinking of Psalm 139….He has formed us and knows our hearts. He brings people into our lives and I am so thankful for you and our blogging friendship. Blessings to you and yours this Holiday season….🎄❤️🙏🏻
🎄Merry Christmas Kari,
Your table scape is just stunning! Thank you so much for sharing the story of the poinsettia, I never knew! May His gifts of Love, Joy , Peace , Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control be yours this beautiful season! Happy New Year 🎊
Warmly,
Nannette Miller
Thank you for stopping by Nannette…and for your kind comments. I love your sentiments and wouldn’t this world be a better place if we all practiced them daily? I am working on it for me. Blessings! Merry Christmas🎄
Good morning, Kari. Your gifted poinsettia plants are beautiful! I do love poinsettias, and after a couple years of trying out white and marbled pink, I went back to the traditional rich red that I love so much. Your tablescape is very pretty!
Rita I have tried planting them outside and one would think they would do well in Florida but not for me anyway. Merry Christmas🎄
Oh, how lovely! Your daughter’s poinsettias are gorgeous! How sweet of her.
I love a red tablescape, and yours is perfect. The variegated poinsettia centerpiece is ideal along with your poinsettia salad plate.
I could sit here all day gazing at the beauty. Your guests are so lucky.
Thank you! 🌺
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Thank you Nancy for stopping by. There is certainly a lot of red on the table. Merry Christmas!