Sharing on Christmas Day is usually a given. After carefully shopping for friends and family, sharing a meal and hunkering down is usually a common practice. This year I decided to do something a little different and uniquely share with my community.
After making arrangements for my office using greenery from the garden gifted to me, the wheels in my head started turning. My garden club, Capitol Hill Garden Club, had a few bags left over from our Greens Party as well. I took advantage of this gift from the garden. When it comes to getting the public excited about gardening, I try to be creative. I quietly planned to share some Holiday joy with those who might miss out.
Christmas Eve I started my mission by washing and wrapping over 30 miniature vases that I no longer wanted. Tying each with a bow, I boxed them up. I was then ready for the next part of my exercise in sharing. In my opinion, the best gifts are not purchased. They are created, by hand and finished off with love. A supurb gift is one that comes from nature. I chose two nice sized containers that sat gathering dust. Next I found two chunks of oasis in my studio and began my elfish adventure.
BOXING DAY FUN FACT
A little sharing about the history of boxing day which was celebrated on the day after Christmas in the UK. This tradition started around 1833. It was a day where people gave back or shared their Christmas excess. Holiday food, goods and gifts were shared with those less fortunate. In some instances money was collected by the local Churches and given to the needy. Usually the well-to-do citizens gathered trinkets, money and left over food, boxed it up and gave it to their servants, their poor relatives, as well as to the slaves.
CHRISTMAS ON THE PLANTATION
Usually on many plantations, the only time the slaves had off was at Christmas – MAYBE. If the plantation owner was considered nice he allowed a slave to pick a yule log. As long as the yule log burned, the slaves had those days off. I can only imagine that there was a lot of praying going on for the log to burn as long as possible. On some plantations, owners allowed a feast to be prepared specifically for the slaves. Sharing the finer meats, vegetables, wine and downtime, this celebration could last for a day or a few days. Each plantation was different. Why Christmas MAYBE? If you were not in the good favor of the plantation owner, there was no Christmas or downtime.
Christmas was also a time for romance on the plantation. Quite a few marriges took place between plantations. It was a time when slaves were allowed to go from plantation to plantation to visit. When courting a potential spouse, a yearly visit was quite special to many.
Some slaves began a celebraton known as Jonkonnu. Creating makeshift costumes with uniquey designed masks, the celebration went from home to home. Dancing to music made with makeshift items, they were gifted with whatever was on hand to share. The women made quilts and repaired clothing during this downtime on the plantation. Songs of hope (including cryptic messages) were commonly called Spirituals. It has been documented that many slave revolts happened at Christmas.
A NON TRADITIONAL DAY OF SHARING
I wanted to give back in a uique way to my community. There will always be someone who might not have a gift to give. Usually there is someone who might feel forgotten during the holiday season. I chose to make a little bit of difference in my own way. I chose the Forestville Health & Rehabilitation Center as the place to be the recipient of some horticultural holiday cheer. The decision to deliver my festive creations on Christmas Day and not Boxing Day, was intentional.
What better place to share a festive arrangement or two of live evergreens. I also presented the box of wrapped miniature vases for those who might not have a gift to bring to a loved one. The staff could also brighten someone’s day with a small bouqet or simple stem as needed. The Greeter’s name was Arlene. We had a warm and informative conversation about the facility.
One thing rattled me, as we chatted. When I gave her the box of wrapped vases, she told me I had to distribute them to whoever I wanted to have them. Crushed, I sadly stated “I dont know anyone here”. I sat up all night choosing vases, wrapping them individually, tying the perfect bow with the intention of making a difference. Arlene could sense my sadness and said she woud give them to the Director of Activities. As I began to breathe again, I thought to myself, I will keep giving back so I will not have to say those words again.
As gardeners, we usually have an abundance of something. A few blooms or an armload of bodaciousness, how often do we think to share? Not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year the garden can be shared. You never know the impact of the unexpected “share”.
Creating the arrangements on Christmas eve, singing and reminiscing about my blessings was not intentional. I was excited about the thought of sharing unexpected joy. My mission going forward is to to get to know more about my community, engage others in the art of gardening and share.
Are you familar with the underserved in your community? Will you consider sharing your garden gifts in the next season? You could make a new friend who will light up and smile after being gifted with unexpected horticultural bliss from the garden.
Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!!!
by 
We exchanged business cards and I promised to work on my French before I returned. Turning the wrong way, even with directions, I mentally floated on the memories of my visit to a French flower shop. I like to think that the language of flowers is international. The opportunity to chat with a florist who understood this passion was simply amazing. If you are ever in Paris, 
there were, even more, fabrics that made the long journey worth it! The opportunity to touch and feel fabrics that come from some of the better-known design houses is an experience. To afford a remnant is priceless. This year’s bounty included a slice of cashmere, a bit of mohair and a few notions.
Each time I go to Paris there are a few things that I just cannot pass up. Fresh flowers to enhance my daily joy, fabric store excursions, The House of 
and the Eiffel Tower. One day I will muster up the courage to actually enter the House of Chanel and ask to touch the staircase. A dream of my youth that will one day become a reality. 
Ushering in Spring this year meant traveling to the Philadelphia Flower Show to embrace all that Spring has to offer…in advance. Usually, I am either sponsoring or a participant on a bus trip to see the Philadelphia Flower Show. It has been an odd year of unanticipated changes, so I thought I needed to experience this Spring Advance Showing with a different set of eyes. In a way, I am glad I did.
I have visited the Philadelphia Flower Show for over 20 years and have never regretted going. Some of the themes were not appealing to me at the time, but when I look back, an exhibit, a vendor or a moment, always lingered in my mind….at least until the next show. To anticipate my personal Flower Show in my mind always starts with my yearly trek to the Philadelphia flower Show.
This year, the theme was Holland. When I think of Holland…well bulbs naturally come to mind. All kinds of bulbs from Tulips to Daffodils, Muscari to Galanthus to Hyacinths – bulbs mean Spring no matter where you go. This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show did not disappoint from the inspirational bulb displays to the creative combinations. Distinctive displays shared how plant material, such as trees and shrubs, can be integrated into the Spring landscape and complimented by a underplanting of bulbs.
Greeted by a phenomenal arch of assorted bulb combinations, the fragrance of spring, the fresh foliage filled the aired, causing the world outside to be a distant memory. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that some of the bulbs I would see were from a familiar vendor, 
There were large displays with outrageous interpretations of landscape options. 
Big displays, small displays, minimalist displays…
and over the top displays. 
There was the theme of bikes, alternative means of transportation made beautiful simply by adding flowers. 
I also seemed to find a lot of wire and floral collaborations. The diversity of bikes, wire and light bulbs…yes light bulbs, was uniquely integrated into inspirational floral fantasy. 
This yearly trek always includes a little shopping with the vendors located on site. 
From a simple souvenir to ornamental flags to whip in the breeze in front of my house as a constant reminder of a wonderful day. Light shopping this year…but this year, it was all about the memory as well as the escape from the world as I know it. A limited edition pin, mug, GROW magazine, and key ring, were just what I needed. When I sip from my coffee mug at work, my smile merely reflects the memory of a great day at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The Philadelphia Flower show ushers in Spring and has for quite some time. Quite honestly, I cannot imagine Spring without my yearly trek to be in the City where I can immerse myself and find the creative interpretation of all things Spring. Thank you, 
