Celebration: The Christmas Flower Book

Many of the first Christmas cards, a century and a half ago, had botanical themes with petals of meanings. Mistletoe, for instance, had been noted by the ancient Celts in a surprising way. Poinsettia, a New World bloom, came only late to be associated with Christmas. The recipient of a card bearing a Christmas red rose would know that its holiday wish hinted at something different than a card embossed with daisies or violets. Author Nina Pinsky interprets the hidden meanings of the blossoms, bouquets and wreaths pictured in this charming treasury of antique Christmas cards.