Legend of the Poinsettia

Sure, poinsettias are beautiful, festive flowers, but why are they associated with Christmas? Here’s the scoop:

Mexican legend says that there once was a boy who had not gift to put by the likeness of Baby Jesus at his church on Christmas Eve. On the way there, an angel told him to pick some dried weeds for his gift. Once he laid the weeds by the figure, they turned into beautiful flowers.

The first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, brought the plant into the United States, where it was later graced with the name “poinsettia”.