Holiday Banners at the Conservatory

Cinnamon

 is a warming, 

sweet and exotic spice

with an aroma often 

associated with

 the cold wintry nights

and traditional holiday foods.

Cinnamon, one of the oldest spices, 

first appeared in Chinese writings

nearly 3,000 yrs ago. 

At points in history, 

it became so prized that

it was used as

 a form of currency 

and wars were fought over it

Holly

 is prized for its beautiful scarlet berries

and colorful variegated leaves,

 adoring wreaths and mantles

 in homes for the holidays. 

The origin of the holly

as a winter decoration is thought

 to have come from a Celtic myth 

that refers to a

"Holly King" 

who ruled from 

the summer to the winter solstice

Peppermint

A simple white sugar flavored

 with oil of peppermint is considered 

an early version of the candy cane.  

As people decorated their yule trees

with food and sugary treats,

 the bent candy cane could have been

a functional solution 

with colored stripes added to enhance

 their decorative value

Evergreen Trees

As a way to express 

hope in the forthcoming season, 

16th century Germans 

hung evergreen trees top

down from the ceiling and decorated

 them with so many edible ornaments 

they were often called "sugar trees".

 Lightening trees 

with candles became customary

 in the 18th century France

Allspice

The plant "allspice" 

was named in the early 1600's

 by the English, who thought 

it a favorable combination 

of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Allspice is used in wassail,

 a favorite holiday hot beverage

that originated in the mid 17th century. 

The hearty mull was used as a way of

bringing friends and families 

together to celebrate the last of the harvest

Poinsettia

are named for the

 first US Ambassador to Mexico

Dr Joel Roberts Poinsett 

who introduced the plant 

to America in 1828

The bracts, or upper leaves of the plants

turn a variety of hues 

when the plant blooms in December, 

making them an ideal

holiday flower

Ginger

The first gingerbread 

was thought to have been made by Catholic monks

 in Europe who pressed ginger cakes

 into molds,for special holiday celebrations

 and festivals The Brothers Grimm fairy tale,

 Hansel and Gretel, first published in 1812, 

refers to the gingerbread house,

 which has become an American holiday tradition

Oranges

Immigrants brought the cherished Europe

 traditions of St Nicholas 

to the united States 

including filling the toe of the stocking

 with an orange a relished mid-winter treat