Holly and ivy are traditional rivals in the forest, representing masculine and feminine traits respectively, and they have been customary Christmas decorations since the late medieval period.

Even today, some people have the superstition that ivy should never be brought indoors except at Christmas. Predating Christianity, evergreen types of holly and ivy were considered particularly ...

the evergreen for eternity because it lasts so long without withering [fidelity and God unchanging], the holly and ivy and the Passion, but used at Christmas time, and the pomegranate, as seen ...

He opens the door to find the room draped with holly, ivy and mistletoe ... It is the Spirit of Christmas Present. First the Ghost takes Scrooge through the streets of London, until they stand ...

The ilex or holly, and the ivy, both evergreen plants are traditional Christmas symbols: the holly for part of the same reason as the Glastonbury Rose is, because it represents the Crown of Thorns ...