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The onset of December heralds the start of one of the most magical times of the year, Advent, as we start getting in the mood for Christmas with carols, cards and festive decorations. For those who want to bring a more rustic and natural style into their homes this season, without losing any of the traditional charm associated with Christmas, poinsettias are the perfect place to start. So popular are these unique plants that they have their own birthday, coming up soon on 12th December. Every Advent the beautiful poinsettia – also known as the Christmas Star – comes into its own in glorious style. With bracts that range in colour from blood red and Barbie pink to pure white, warming apricot and variegated brilliance, a myriad of shapes and charming miniature sizes up to spectacular plants the size of small srhubs, poinsettias are the go-to plant for co-ordinated Christmas styling. As perfect for adorning Christmas trees, wreaths and tablescapes as they are for gifting to dinnerparty hosts, friends and colleagues, poinsettias are as versatile as they are pretty Whether it’s cool Scandi-chic, forestcore mystery, urban minimalism or full-on festive maximalism you want to achieve, poinsettias can help you achieve your home décor goals this season. Houseplant styling expert, Dr Susanne Lux of Stars for Europe, has put together some fabulous ways for you to get into the Christmas spirit as Advent progresses.

What would Christmas be without the poinsettia? Since the middle of the last century, this indoor plant with its star-shaped bracts has been an integral part of the Christmas tradition in Europe. As pot plants and cut flowers, poinsettias brighten up rooms and add festive glamour to Christmas trees, presents and tables.

Small effort, big reward: this colourful DIY Advent decoration is super easy to create. Simply plant a bowl with colourful mini poinsettias, add four taper candles and place in a bright spot protected from the cold and draughts. Water the mini poinsettias regularly from above. Tip: A drainage layer at the bottom of the bowl will protect the plants from getting waterlogged.

With Halloween and All Saints under our belt, retailers now have a clear run up to Christmas and are creating fabulous merchandise and window display to entice shoppers. Whilst the seasonal shift is a big deal for all gift-oriented shops and grocers, for garden centres it represents a full metamorphosis, from outdoor living and gardening to Christmas decs and winter houseplants. One of the most popular – if not THE most popular – festive plants is the poinsettia, also known as the Christmas Star. Famed for their centuries-old association with traditions that range from the Mayan culture of their native Mexico to the season of Advent on both sides of the Atlantic, these winter beauties are being put front and centre in garden centres nationwide. With price points that start at a couple of pounds and bract colours that range from creamy white and mood enhancing yellow to Barbie pink, St Nicholas red and stunning variegation, poinsettias are the gift that keeps on giving at Christmas. Not only do they make the perfect gift for houseguests to give to their hosts, they also serve as beautiful table and Christmas tree decorations and make stylish cut flowers. Poinsettias can be used to realise countless festive DIY ideas. With cut and mini poinsettias in particular being perfect for creative craft projects. Decorations and fabrics with a vintage feel are on-trend and work beautifully with poinsettias, the classic Christmas plant! Here the specialists at Stars for Europe – an agency which promotes poinsettia sales in all retail outlets across Britain and the wider continent – look at some of the many ways you can bring Christmas Stars into your home this season.

A poinsettia in a handcrafted bowl made of nuts and cones makes a pretty table centrepiece and a great gift idea for anyone who loves nature. This rustic DIY container is quick and easy to make. You will need a poinsettia, potting compost, a polystyrene bowl, hazelnuts and walnuts, cones, a hot glue gun and glue sticks, moss, mossing pins, cord and a decorative wooden star. Here’s how to make it: Use the mossing pins to attach the moss to the outside of the polystyrene bowl. Next, glue nuts and cones close together onto the moss, fill the bowl with the compost and plant the poinsettia in it. Finally, attach the decorative star to the arrangement with the cord. Done!

For this DIY floral Advent decoration, you will need a small metal cookie tin, two mini poinsettias, a matching calendar candle, three small planters, clay, moss, spruce and juniper branches, secateurs, florists’ stub wires, small cones and golden Christmas baubles. Step 1: Fill one of the small planters with clay and place the Advent calendar candle in it. Place the mini poinsettias in the other two planters and arrange all three pots in the metal tin. Step 2: Fill any gaps with the moss and pieces of the spruce and juniper branches. Step 3: Wire the cones and place them between the branches. Step 4: Decorate the arrangement with the golden Christmas baubles. Give the mini poinsettias a tiny amount of lukewarm water every day (avoid waterlogging!). This will help the little plants look beautiful and fresh throughout the whole of Advent. A small, Christmassy metal tin filled with an Advent calendar candle and bright, red mini poinsettias makes a space-saving alternative to a classic Advent wreath. This simple DIY idea makes a perfect gift and very easy to assemble. NB - maybe use pot pourri to facilitate cross selling?

Muffin Tin Advent Centrepiece For this upcycled Advent decoration, you will need a muffin tin with twelve hollows, clay, a hot glue gun with glue sticks, four red Advent pillar candles of different heights, four red mini poinsettias, secateurs, moss, pine greenery, cones, and Christmas decorations such as small baubles and golden mini cones. You may also need florists' stub wires to attach the decorations. Step 1: Half-fill four of the twelve cups with clay and place the Advent candles in them, pressing lightly. tep 2: Carefully remove the mini poinsettias from their pots and plant them in four more wells. Step 3: Cover any visible soil and clay with the moss. Step 4: Fill the remaining four hollows with moss and decorate any space between the candles and poinsettias with the pine greenery. Step 5: Decorate your arrangement with cones and Christmas decorations. Tip: If necessary, fix them in place with hot glue or stub wires so nothing can move. Place your DIY Advent decoration in a bright, warm spot away from draughts. Water the mini poinsettias regularly from above with a small amount of water. Make sure they don't get waterlogged.

The season of Advent is marked by a variety of traditions, with the consistently charming Advent Calendar proving popular with families around the country, year-in-year-out. The onset of Advent is a time of joy and excitement – especially for younger family members – as the countdown to Christmas gets underway, children look forward to the school holidays and the carol singers herald the Nativity. One of the most beautifully traditional and natural ways to adorn your home in the season to be jolly is through delightful ‘Christmas Star’ plants, more commonly known as poinsettias, which are now available in a wide array of colours, shapes and sizes to suit any kind of festive décor. Here, Dr Susanne Lux of Stars for Europe looks at how to get into the Christmas spirit in homespun style.

The perfect way to achieve the Dopamine Decor look! The poinsettia experts at Stars for Europe are full of inspiring home décor and craft ideas. We love this homemade beaded wreath with gold accents and bright yellow poinsettias, which is easy to make and will bring a bit of zing to your living room, even when it's raining cats and dogs outside. This DIY hanging decoration made of natural wooden beads, golden baubles and cut cream poinsettias. Hung inside a door, above the dining table or in front of a window, individually or in groups; this retro festive feature adds a glamorous touch anywhere. To make it you will need a 25-30cm decorative metal ring strung with natural wooden beads, a wooden kebab stick, a hot glue gun and glue sticks, golden Christmas baubles, beautiful poinsettias in the colour of your choice, secateurs, dried flowers, and a watering can. You will also need a glass of hot water (around 60°C) and one of cold water.

As the grey days and long nights set in, poinsettias will bring vibrant colour and joy into the home. Widely available in garden centres, nurseries and supermarkets from the end of this month, the world's favourite winter flowering plant is available in a fabulous variety of colours and sizes, at very reasonable price points. The poinsettia experts at Stars for Europe are full of ideas about how to incorporate these gorgeous plants into your home. Here, Dr Susanne Lux, explains how you can make a DIY Rustic Twig Star from scratch. Some wreaths are incredibly opulent but sometimes less is more: In this homemade, natural hanging design, three mini poinsettia Kokedamas decorate a star made of twigs. The imperfect shape of the construction makes the beauty of the vibrant poinsettias stand out even more and gives this craft project a very special charm. This decoration is super easy to make. Step 1: Make a five-pointed star out of evenly-sized twigs and tie them together at the five outer and inner crossing points with the parcel string. For more stability, you can also fix the branches at the crossover points with hot glue. Step 2: Take the mini poinsettias out of their pots, wrap their root balls with moss and secure the moss with the gold craft wire. Water the plants beforehand by immersing them in water so that they have enough moisture. Step 3: Attach the poinsettia Kokedamas to different places on the twig star with wire. Step 4: Hang your homemade, rustic hanging design, with its colourful mini poinsettias, in a bright place protected from drafts. To keep your wreath looking its best for as long as possible, water the poinsettias regularly from above with a small amount of water. Alternatively, carefully remove the Kokedamas and place the wrapped root balls in a container with a little lukewarm water every few days so the moss can soak it up. Allow to drain well before re-attaching.