by Isabela from Medellín asks Santa about Christmas plants, learns Colombia is a major flower exporter, and hears about the Día de las Velitas candle tradition
Dear Santa, my name is Isabela and I am nine years old. I live in Medellín, Colombia, where my tía says our city is called the City of Eternal Spring because the weather barely changes all year round.
Dear Isabela, I have enjoyed that lovely, steady spring weather myself on my visits, and your tía picked exactly the right nickname.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, what are Christmas plants? My aunt always decorates with poinsettias and holly, and I want to know if there are others I am missing.
Poinsettias and holly are classics, Isabela, along with mistletoe and Christmas cactus. Christmas plants tend to be ones that stay bright, green, or red right through the coldest, darkest part of the year, a little reminder of life continuing on.
My second question is about Colombia. My teacher says we grow and send flowers to almost every country in the world, especially around this time of year. Is that true?
It is true, Isabela, and quite an impressive one. Colombia is one of the largest exporters of cut flowers in the entire world, and a great many bouquets appearing on Christmas tables across the globe actually began right there in Colombian fields. I always find that a lovely, quiet contribution to celebrations everywhere.
My third question is about Día de las Velitas. My whole street lights candles and lanterns on December 7th, before Christmas has even really started. Why do we do that first?
Día de las Velitas, the Day of the Little Candles, is a beautiful Colombian tradition marking the unofficial start of the Christmas season, with streets, balconies, and windows glowing with candles and lanterns in honor of the Virgin Mary. It is one of my favorite nights to fly over Colombia, the whole country lit up like a gentle, glowing invitation to the season ahead.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Isabela Restrepo
Medellín, Colombia
P.S. Do you fly slower on Velitas night to see all the candles?
Every single year, Isabela. It would be a shame to rush past it.
