December Birth Flowers: Holly and Narcissus Symbolism​

If you were born in December, your birthday falls in the sparkle of the festive season, and you have two birth flowers to match: holly and narcissus. One is a glossy, berry-studded evergreen that has decorated winter homes for centuries. The other is a delicate, scented bloom that promises spring is on its way.

Whether it is your own birthday or you are choosing a gift for someone special, this guide explains what each flower means, where it comes from and how to give it. We are Elisana Florist, a North London flower shop, and we would love to help you pick the perfect December birthday flowers.

What is the birth flower for December?

December has two birth flowers: holly and narcissus. Holly is strictly a berried evergreen shrub rather than a flower, but it earns its place for its deep green leaves and bright red berries. Narcissus is a true flower, and the family includes daffodils and the fragrant paperwhite.

The pairing suits the month. Holly stands for the cosy, celebratory side of winter, while narcissus stands for hope and a fresh start. Together they say: enjoy the season, and look forward to what comes next.

December birthdays also cover two star signs. Sagittarius runs to around 21 December, and Capricorn follows. Neither sign is tied to a particular birth flower, but you can have fun matching the two. Think adventurous, bright blooms for a Sagittarius and elegant, structured arrangements for a Capricorn.

December birth flower one: Holly

What is Holly?- Holly (Ilex) is a hardy evergreen that keeps its glossy, spiny leaves all winter. It is the female plants that carry the famous red berries, and they only do so when a male plant is growing nearby to pollinate them. There are hundreds of species worldwide, and the native British holly, Ilex aquifolium, is the one most of us picture at Christmas.

The history of holly- Holly was valued long before Christmas cards existed. While many plants faded in winter, holly stayed green and berried, so people saw it as a sign of life, protection and good fortune. Bringing a spring indoors was a way of welcoming good luck and keeping the home safe through the darkest months.

When Christmas traditions grew, holly was a natural fit. Its red berries and green leaves became the colours of the season. In Christian symbolism, the spiny leaves are often linked to the crown of thorns and the red berries to sacrifice and renewal.

What does holly mean?

Holly is most commonly linked to:

Protection and good fortune: a charm for the home through winter.Joy and goodwill: a natural sign of festive celebration.Resilience: it stays green when everything else goes dormant.Hope: a reminder that life continues even in the coldest weeks.

For a December birthday, a sprig of holly in a bouquet says "may your year be lucky and bright".

Using holly in a birthday bouquet

Holly is a lovely finishing touch. A few stems of berried holly add texture and a splash of red to a winter bouquet. It pairs beautifully with white roses, lilies, eucalyptus and pine.

A word of caution: holly berries are toxic if eaten, especially to young children and pets, and the leaves are sharp. If you are sending flowers to a home with little ones or animals, tell your florist so we can use the berries sparingly or keep them out of reach.

December birth flower two: Narcissus

What is narcissus?

Narcissus is a large family of bulb flowers with trumpet-shaped centres and star-like petals, usually white, yellow or orange. The most familiar members are the daffodil, which bursts out in spring, and the paperwhite, which is famous for its sweet fragrance.

If narcissus is a spring flower, how can it be a December birth flower? The answer is that some varieties flower early. Paperwhites are widely grown indoors over winter, and early narcissus can bloom in the colder months, especially in milder regions. They are a much-loved sight in winter homes.

The legend of Narcissus

The flower takes its name from a Greek myth. Narcissus was a beautiful young man who became so captivated by his own reflection in a pool that he could not look away. In the best-known telling, he wasted away beside the water, and a flower grew in his place.

That story is why narcissus has been linked to vanity. Today the flower is seen far more positively. It is a symbol of healthy self-love and confidence, and a reminder to be kind to yourself.

What does narcissus mean?

Narcissus is commonly associated with:

New beginnings: it is among the first flowers to herald spring.Hope and renewal: a bright promise in the middle of winter.Self-love and confidence: the modern, positive reading of the myth.Good fortune: in Chinese culture, narcissus is a popular New Year flower, thought to bring prosperity.

Giving narcissus to a December birthday person says "here's to a fresh, hopeful year ahead".

A tip for arranging narcissus

Narcissus has a quirk florists know well: the sap it releases can shorten the life of other flowers in the same vase. Fresh-cut stems are best left to stand in water alone for a few hours before being arranged with other blooms. When you order from a florist, we handle this for you, so you do not need to worry about it.

Narcissus is also toxic if eaten, so, as with holly, keep it away from curious pets and small children.

What do the December birth flowers say about you?

Birth flower personalities are a bit of fun rather than science, but they make a charming card message.

Holly people are warm, protective and generous. You are the one who makes everyone feel at home, and you are resilient when times are tough.Narcissus people are optimistic and confident. You are always looking ahead, love a fresh start and bring hope to those around you.

Born in December, you might see a bit of both. You are festive and cheerful, with a quiet strength and a positive outlook.

How to give December birth flowers: bouquet ideas

You do not need to include holly or narcissus to celebrate a December birthday, but a hint of them makes the gift personal. Here are some of our favourite ideas from the shop.

For a classic winter look: Try our White Rose and Lily Bouquet, from £55. Its crisp white blooms match the frosty season, and we can add a sprig of berried holly for a festive touch on request.

For a luxurious gift: The Luxury Neutral Bouquet at £65.50 is a generous, elegant choice for a milestone birthday. You can browse more in our Luxury Range.

For something bright and cheerful: The Bright Bouquet, from £43.50, lifts the mood on a grey winter day.

For a gift that lasts: A Florist's Choice Vase Arrangement, from £37, arrives ready to display, and a Florist Choice Basket Arrangement, from £35, is a good-value option.

For something compact: The Neutral Gift Box, from £37.50, is a neat present that is easy to carry to a party.

You can see everything in our Birthday Flowers collection, and our Birthday Month Flowers page is the place to start for a gift that matches the month. Prefer to let an expert choose? Our Florist Choice range lets our team pick the freshest seasonal stems.

Prices are correct at the time of writing and may change, so check the product page before you order.

Make it a complete birthday gift

Flowers are even better with a little something extra. Many of our customers add:

A Leonidas chocolate box for a sweet finish.A greetings card with a handwritten birthday message.A balloon for a party atmosphere.A bottle from our champagne and wine selection for a proper toast.A gift set for an all-in-one present.

If the birthday person loves fresh flowers, a New Baby range has gentle, welcoming arrangements.

Full blog here-  December Birth Flowers: The Meaning of Holly and Narcissus