14 Controversial Flower Choices That Will Shock Christmas Guests

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It’s the time of year for making magic, joy and laughter. We deck our halls with reds, greens and whites, and do so with great care and attention to creating a cozy holiday vibe. So when someone walks into your house and is greeted by flowers that aren’t saying ‘Silent Night’ quite so loudly, what happens then? The wrong bloom can have your guests scratching their heads or wondering what your festive spirit is about.

There are flowers that are warm and charming; there are flowers that will ignite debates as lively as your holiday charades. The 14 flower choices on this list range from unexpected colors to blooms with eyebrow raising backstories, guaranteed to cause some Christmas drama, or at least some conversation.

Dandelions

Yes, dandelions. Someone said to themselves, let’s add a little whimsy to this. Yet these lawn invaders tend to breed debate more than joy. Your artsy friend may tell you that your Avant Garde approach is great, while your grandma may tell you that they’re weeds.

Carnivorous Plants

Right! Christmas flowers don’t have to be passive. Venus flytraps or pitcher plants on the table might be fun dinner conversation, or gross your aunt out if she’s squeamish. Maybe they should have a bite before they have guests come over, and go slow.

Bleeding Heart

Though these dramatic flowers are hard to miss, their teardrop shape could be too mournful for holiday merriment. You could leave guests wondering whether you’re celebrating the season or mourning it.

Sunflowers

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Sunflowers are fun, and they are very heavy on the summer vibes. Putting them into your Christmas display could send the wrong message, like serving eggnog with a margarita. Festive? Maybe. Confusing? Definitely.

Cactus Blooms

Sure, cactus flowers are beautiful, but they are the floral version of someone with a prickly personality. They love winter, but can feel more like a winter wonderland than desert oasis. The upside is you’ll have a conversation starter when someone inevitably gets poked.

Peonies

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Peonies in December? Talk about out of season! These spring darlings look beautiful but can seem as misplaced as a bathing suit in the snow. They may think you’re just rushing spring along.

Orange Marigolds

Dazzling vivid orange marigolds are risky. They are beloved in many cultures, but not for Christmas. Prepare yourself for questions like, “Is it Thanksgiving again?” They can also attract pests according to The Seed Collection.

Artificial Lavender

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Lavender smells divine, looks elegant, but putting artificial sprigs on your holiday table can feel impersonal. Lavender and candy canes simply don’t go together and let’s be honest. Prepare yourself for a couple of sideways glances.

Tropical Hibiscus

A hibiscus flower is not a hibiscus flower when it’s screaming ‘beach vacation,’ not ‘snowy Christmas’. While these can add nice color they can also confuse your guests who were expecting holly and ivy. It’s a bold choice, for sure.

Bleached Pampas Grass

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Pampas grass is all the rage, but its neutral tones can be stark and barren next to the warmth of Christmas decor. Its likeness to frosted wheat fields may even remind some of January’s bare places over holiday cheer.

Green Carnations

Green carnations are divisive on their own, but carnations in unconventional colors are divisive enough. In theory, they sound festive, but in practice, they’re more “science experiment” than “cozy Christmas.”

Orchids

Orchids are exotic and stunning but they feel too formal. They’re not as comfortable at your crackling fireplace as they are at a black tie gala. Sure, guests might appreciate the effort, but they’re also missing the coziness of Christmas classics.

Poinsettia Alternatives

Can you imagine going poinsettia free and using bright yellow chrysanthemums instead? Sure they’re cheery, but they are screaming “Easter” more than “Christmas.” Of course, this might sound refreshing to some but also as a bold departure from tradition. Either way, you’re going to get some raised eyebrows!

Black Roses

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Black roses may seem intriguing if you’re trying to achieve gothic holiday vibes. Yet, they could make guests feel they have walked into a Halloween shindig. They can be dramatic and beautiful, but not everyone is ready to go with a “Nightmare Before Christmas” vibe.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.