When the winds get cooler, you look forward to cuddling up under your blanket as well as being out in the sun, you know winter is here. I’m simply in love with this season. Not just for the weather but also because it’s that time of the year when I can spend hours outdoors. It’s the holiday season and also the time to fill our homes and garden with florals. The scent of pine trees, musical evenings jamming with friends and family and the lit-up surroundings make the season joyous and lively. This year, if you’re home for Christmas, let’s create a festive vibe by embracing traditions and elements. Let’s see how.
Let’s Get a Living Christmas Tree
Have you ever wondered why only the pine tree is used? Different cultures have different stories. For the Greeks, the tree is sacred to Attis, the God of flora. Romans celebrate Saturnalia using the tree to honour Saturn, the God of agriculture. The list may go on, but the one reason which I feel is most symbolic and sacred in most cultures is its evergreen nature, thus symbolising eternal life. So nothing beats getting a living tree. In fact, every ornament that we use on the Christmas Tree — from the star on top to the gifts and stockings we keep below it — all of them have their own stories and when you join the dots you get the story of Christmas. Let’s keep digging!
Decorate Your Christmas Tree
Earlier, people decorated their trees with apples, orange slices, berries and flowers. Over time it got replaced by modern ornaments. Let’s try and see their significance.
Angels: Ever wondered about the name of the angel on the Christmas Tree? She is Gabriel. Not only did she bless Mary with God’s child, Jesus, but also guided the rest of the world to the path of divinity during his birth.
Stars: The night Jesus was born, a new bright star appeared in the sky. Some wise men knew that it meant the birth of a new king. Following the star led them to Christ. Therefore, the top of the Christmas Tree usually has a bright star.
Lights: lights are always a part of any festival. They reflect the joy in your heart and also symbolise the brightness of the sky on the night Jesus was born. So let’s not limit them to the Christmas Tree but have them all over the surroundings!
Bells: The rhyme may tell you that bells jingle all the way when Santa is on his sleigh. The shepherds rang them when Christ was born. On an ordinary night, they would use it to call their sheep back, this time they announced the birth of their saviour.
Doves: The dove symbolises what Jesus took birth for — peace. The shepherds gifted him doves during his birth too!
Stockings: Interestingly, this tradition started after a bishop dropped coins in the stockings of girls who couldn’t afford dowries. With time, it became a means to accept gifts on Christmas. Maybe for that reason, a single red stocking gets one excited.
Presents: The Three Wise Men followed the star of Bethlehem and each of them brought gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh. For this reason, gifts are not just Christmas tree ornaments but also exchanged among family and friends. This year, how about gifting them plants?
Poinsettias: These winter flowers symbolise Bethlehem’s star. Their shape is similar to a star, while their colours are the same as the candy cane. So, with a single sweet-smelling winter flower, we have the Bethlehem star.
Make Your Own Wreath
Let’s make one this year. Not only will it make your door look very pretty, the whole process is easy and fun too. All you need is some floral wire, scissors, leaves, branches, berries, flowers and dried oranges.
- Slice six-eight oranges and bake them in your oven at 200°C for two hours.
- Let them cool and dry while you start making your wreath.
- Make sure your leaves are attached to the branches
- Use a floral wire to tie them and form a circle.
- Now, take three slices of oranges at a time and use the floral wire to create bundles.
- Leave some wire to attach to the wreath.
- Attach berries, flowers, or other leaves to the wreath using the same process.
- Take a long ribbon to hang to the door.
Put on Your Chef’s Cap and Start Baking
After a great session of storytelling, craft and home decor, it’s now time to treat yourself! The festival will be incomplete without something sweet. Give baking a shot and make some Christmas desserts.
Gingerbread Cookies: This is the go-to Christmas dessert for kids. The aroma of ginger, cinnamon and cloves is sure to fill your homes with happiness. Don’t forget to decorate your gingerbread man with some icing and M&Ms.
Traditional English Trifle: This dessert is perfect for having a Christmas feast at home. It has many layers starting with cake soaked in sherry, followed by fresh fruit, custard, jelly, and whipped cream. The best fruits would be fresh strawberries and raspberries. You can also garnish the dessert with some sliced almonds and grated chocolate.
Sugarplum Christmas Candy: These include chopped pistachios, chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, prunes, hazelnuts, cherry preserves, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Don’t forget to make a separate batch with rum/brandy.
During any festival, we get more time to bond with our family and friends. Following traditions, cooking together, and learning about new cultures is a way of growing with people close to you. This Christmas, let’s take this opportunity to spend quality time with our loved ones.
Let’s drive down and enjoy the beauty of Park Street, the vibe of a carnival, and the peace of a church. It’s now time to put on our Santa caps and add some jingle in our lives.Here’s wishing everyone a very happy Chlorofyl New Year full of greens and abundance.
Monika Poddar owns plant boutique Chlorofyl. Reach her on Facebook @ChlorofylKol and on Instagram @chlorofyl_giftinggreens