Poinsettia Rebirth
While a fruit cake renaissance may be yet to come, poinsettias are becoming cool again.
The plant originally came from Mexico and while revered by the Aztecs, eventually became a symbol of Christmas to the Mexican culture. It became tradition to decorate them around Christmas time. Then in 1824, the American Ambassador to Mexico - Joel Poinsett (see where this is going?) was so impressed with the red plants that he brought them up to the U.S. and thus began their Americanization.
In the late 19th Century, a California farming family named the Eckes started selling them widely. Back then they were three feet tall. They've since been cultivated to grow smaller, and brighter. Oh, and they've never been poisonous. That's only ever been a rumour, viciously started no doubt, by another, less fortunate California farming family.
Martha Stewart wants to show you a few things to do with poinsettias.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Haft2.
