Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDnESDAy, DECEmbEr 24, 2025 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T here are many holidays and observances throughout the year, but some are more well known than others. Some are legal holidays; some are religious holidays that have origins centuries old; some have patriotic origins, and some are a bit more obscure. For example, today, December 24, is national eggnog day! While drinking eggnog may be among the traditions of the Christmas season, this answer may not have been on the tip of your tongue. It is a very old beverage; the actual “national eggnog day” adoption seems fairly recent. During this 250th anniversary period celebrating the events from 1775’s “shot heard round the world” until the 1776 Declaration of Independence, it might be fun to consider that George Washington was known among his friends for a special Christmas eggnog recipe! The luxurious and warming ingredients, including eggs, cream, milk, sugar, spices and four kinds of alcohol, was likely to have led to some extra merriment. There are many eggnog variations in different parts of the world, and not all include any alcohol. In tropical parts of This bright tree shines at night on Westland Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) the world, variations sometimes include coconut milk or almond milk, and the kinds of spices may vary. A more expected answer to the significance of today’s date would be “Christmas Eve,” or “The Night before Christmas,” as in Clement Moore’s poem that many people can recite by heart. December 24 is also the Feast Day of St. Adam and St. Eve, and in medieval times people might celebrate it by feasting on foods such as apples, figs Most people who have been getting ready for Christmas in recent days wish they had some minions like this to help! (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) The pine cones are real, but the plaid poinsettias not so much in this festive bouquet. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) A close view of a sleigh bell Christmas wreath shows the bell openings are shaped like snowflakes! (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) and pomegranates — which can explain why “figgy puddings” are associated with this time of year. Pomegranates appear as a traditional decoration. One traditional wreath popular at this time of year, featuring apples, oranges, grapes and other colorful fruits, is known as a Della Robbia wreath, named for a 15th-century Italian sculptor whose work characteristically had brightly colored glazes and featured luxurious fruits and foliage. The bright red spherical ornaments that are among the most popular Christmas tree decorations at Christmas may have started as ripe apples in observance of the forbidden apple Eve ate. The tree itself and the garlands of greenery with which people deck their halls in cold climates is believed to have begun as pagan decorations for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, which occurred a few days ago on Sunday, December 21. The proximity of celebrations for Adam and Eve Day and Christmas Day may explain in part why some traditions hold that the Christmas tree should not be decorated until Christmas eve. In modern times families often put GARDENS | SEE PAGE 19 A bright red male cardinal sits on a branch after a light snow. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
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