Christmas cards, Christmas specials, or Christmas carols, one thing that  seems to be a universal message is the presence of snow. Glistening snowflakes and snowy white lawns have become as much a part of the Christmas message as anything. Perhaps it is because it looks so bright and pure or because it makes the scene immediately identifiable as a winter one, and therefore links it to Christmas. But there are many people in the English-speaking world who have never seen a White Christmas, and wonder if they will.

The chance of a white Christmas depends, of course, on where you live.  Here in Southern California, our home is high enough in the Saddleback Mountain foothills that we have had snow three times since we’ve lived here. While it was short lived and only once did we have enough snow for a mini snowball fight, it wasn’t at Christmas.  This year, we’ve just had days of rain which while needed, isn’t what we or tourists expect in Southern California at Christmas.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Australia has Christmas in the middle of its climatic summer. Australia is a temperate country anyway, so the chances of snow at Christmas are roughly equivalent to those of a 100-degree heatwave in New York in January. Even in the United Kingdom, which is known for its cold winters, snow tends to hold off until January for whatever reason. Though cold enough, the snow just doesn’t seem to have that sense of timing. 

Nonetheless, whether you live somewhere that gets snow reliably at Christmas or somewhere where it is unlikely to ever happen, the fact remains that snow is something that is inextricably linked with Christmas. This holds true wherever you are, and is why we all know what Bing Crosby was singing about.

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The length of time your poinsettia will give you pleasure in your home is dependent on:

1. the maturity of the plant,
2. when you buy it, and
3. how you treat the plant.

With care, poinsettias should retain their beauty for weeks and some varieties will stay attractive for months.

• After you have made your poinsettia selection, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can damage the bracts and leaves.
• Unwrap your poinsettia carefully and place in indirect light. Six hours of light daily is ideal. Keep the plant from touching cold windows.
• Keep poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows.
• Ideally poinsettias require daytime temperatures of 60 to 70°F and night time temperatures around 55°F. High temperatures will shorten the plant’s life. Move the plant to a cooler room at night, if possible.
• Check the soil daily. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer. Water when soil is dry. Allow water to drain into the saucer and discard excess water. Wilted plants will tend to drop bracts sooner.
• Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize when it is in bloom.

Information from the University of Illinois Extension Poinsettia Pages website.