HomechevronRightA Guide To The Birth Flower For December

DecemberBirth Flower

The month of December is here! Which means we’re tra-la-la-ing and decking the halls with boughs of holly. But hold up, before we let Christmas steal the limelight and get carried away with seasonal jollity, let's take a moment to remember all those December birthdays that are still going on.

Ask anybody celebrating in December and there are a few golden rules to remember. First, don’t forget their birthday! Second, don’t combine a birthday party with a Christmas bash. Last of all, don’t combine their birthday present with a festive gift (and definitely don’t wrap it in Christmas-themed paper).

Do you know someone with a birthday in December and want to make them feel extra special? Have you thought about something different - their birth month flower! Read on and we’ll tell you all about the birth flower for December.

What is the Birth Flower for December?

Let’s start with giving you a bit of background into this whole birth month flower thing. Nobody knows exactly where it started but the idea is that for every month of the year you are born, there is a flower associated with it. Think of it a bit like your star sign. If you’re looking for what the December birth flower is, you’re in luck because there are two.

The first one is the incredibly seasonal holly. OK, so we know what you’re going to say, holly isn’t technically a flower. You’re right, but it does make perfect sense to choose this one as the December birth month flower. While there are few seasonal plants and flowers growing outside at this time of year, Holly is all over the place.

If you look at the history of this plant, it has an interesting story to tell. Head back as far as the Druids, Celts and the Romans and they were all bringing this evergreen plant into their homes over winter. They thought the plant contained magical properties because it kept its leaves throughout the cold months. They believed that putting a holly plant in your home would ward off evil spirits and provide

reassurance that spring and new growth would come. Want to know where this one got its name? It comes from the old English word ‘holegn’ which basically means ‘to prick’ – we’ve made enough Christmas wreaths to see why!

Now on to the next birth flower for December, the narcissus. We don’t want to start saying that December babies are fussy, but this isn’t any old narcissus, this is a particular flower called Paperwhite. A heavily fragranced bloom, its name came from the fact that its delicate petals are almost as thin as paper. Not surprising then that its scientific name Narcissus Papyraceus comes from the word papyrus, meaning paper-like.

These gorgeous flowers first made their way into our gardens with the Greeks in 300 BC. It wasn’t until a few hundred years later that the Romans finally brought narcissus to British shores. They believed the flower provided pain relief and could heal wounds – alas, it’s not true, so please don’t try!

Now this one isn’t a hardy plant and you’re not likely to see it growing outdoors in December. However, it is a very popular seasonal plant – probably down to its snow-white colour – and very easy to grow as a houseplant in December.

Meaning Behind December Birth Flower

So, what do the birth flowers for December represent and which is the best one to give?

Well, if you know a Sagittarian, you know that they are all about never-ending fun. That makes the Paperwhite Narcissus a perfect choice for them. Just like anyone born in the first part of December, this flower is all about creativity, inspiration and new beginnings – in other words, bring on new adventures.

It’s this same trait that makes them perfectly suited to Holly which is known as a bright and happy plant that adds the perfect touch of cheer. Sagittarians also have an ever-optimistic nature and want to break free of the rules and regulations. Let’s be honest, if we’re talking about independence, what better plant than Holly which keeps colourful throughout winter.

It’s this same attitude, that closely links Holly to those born later in December - Capricorns. They are the hardworking and determined sign of the zodiac although this mixes with the philosophical side that Holly also represents. Be careful when near a Capricorn, they can be a little blunt at times, some would even say they can be sharp just like the leaves of Holly. Don’t worry though, this lot do have a lot of similarities to Paperwhite Narcissus which represents loyalty and unconditional love. They also like to keep their circle of friends close, very similar to Narcissus which grows in dedicated clusters.

December Flower Names

Looking for a seasonal-related name for a new baby born in December? Well, we have to start with the obvious, and the one that is the birth flower for this month, and that’s Holly. It’s a great choice given its links to resilience and eternal life. As the well-sung carol goes, there’s no Holly without Ivy and the latter can be a perfect name for a baby. Since the early 90s this name has shot up in popularity and back in ancient Greece it was said to represent eternity and loyalty.

If you were looking for a truly seasonal bloom, then it would have to be the name Amaryllis. A slightly unusual name but incredibly beautiful when you discover it comes from the Greek meaning ‘sparkle’. If it’s unusual names you’re after, have you considered Winter? I mean December is the start of this season. This one comes from a German word which translates as ‘time of water’. Probably because it can rain a lot at this time of year! This has been a popular name for girls since the 70s, but in the last 10 years, it has become increasingly popular for boys as well.

Aster has been around since the early 17th century and can be used for both boys and girls. Ok, before you say it, we know this flower isn’t around in December, but when you realise it comes from the Greek for ‘star’ (you know the Christmas story and the star), we think we can get away with bending the rules a little!

Now you’ve learnt all about the December birth flowers, it’s time to send a beautiful birthday bouquet to add joy to their day.