Dec. 12: National Poinsettia Day

1. It will be sunny today with a high temperature of 43 degrees. The wind will come from the south at a speed of 6 mph. It will be clear tonight with an overnight low of 24 °F. The wind will be light and variable, according to the National Weather Service.

2. Do you still have brush, branches or debris from storm clean up still on your curb? Send a message to perry.robbin@patch.com.

3. At this time of year, we begin to see more and more Poinsettias available in nurseries, grocery stores and anywhere you buy plants. This is thanks to a gentleman named Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first U.S. minister to Mexico from 1825 to 1829.

Poinsett found the plant growing on a Mexican hillside and sent samples back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. The plant became known as the Poinsettia, and Dec. 12 was named National Poinsettia Day by Congress in honor Poinsett, who died in 1851.
 
4. If you're like many of us, after the holidays are over, so is the life of your Poinsettia. But in reality, Poinsettias can last many years with the proper care. For tips on keeping your Poinsettia thriving way beyond Christmas, visit Poinsettia Care online.

 
5. In the mood for some quality, crafty time with your children? If so, visit Heather Bailey's website for a beautiful Poinsettia Pinwheel craft.

If you're a scrapbooker, you'll likely have all the supplies you'll need: paper, eyelets, brads and ribbon. Add to these items a dowel, a wooden bead and a 12-inch piece of 18-gauge wire, and you’re good to go.