Backstory: Poinsettias

According to legend, a little girl named Pepita saw her humble nativity offering of roadside weeds miraculously transform into bright red flowers on Christmas eve. For generations, the legend was part of the Christmas celebration for many communities in Mexico. And that's where it could have stayed, if it weren't for a man named Poinset. The story of how the poinsettia came to America and how they came to be so ubiquitous at Christmas, has some strange twists and turns in it. Ones that involve a kidnapping, possibly a murder, international diplomacy, and a good old fashioned American success story.Thanks to Mark Schmeller for appearing in this episode.Be sure to check out the "Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts"Share a Christmas memory on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in [email protected] pageFacebook groupTwitterInstagramMusic in this episodeWish Background  — Kevin MacLeod via IncompetechDrops of Earth — Aakash Gandhi via YouTube Audio LibrarySurface Tension 1 — Podington Bear via Free Music ArchiveRanch Hand — Blue Dot Sessions via Free Music ArchiveGreensleves — Don Maue, shared directly by the artistDimlight — Podington Bear via Free Music ArchiveConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: [email protected] BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)