Okay, so I knew that pineapples have long been a symbol of hospitality, but I was not quite sure how they got there! Well, before blogs, twitter and facebook, the primary means of entertainment and gathering of information for Colonial Americans was actual visitors in the home!
Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple on the island of Guadelope in 1493 and named it "pine of the Indians." Eventual trade between the Caribbean islands and America was rather slow, so it was quite an achievement for a hostess to have a pineapple to offer guests. The pineapple, when available, ended up as a centerpiece on many dining tables, and later served as dessert for guests. Overnight guests were usually treated to a bed with pineapple carvings as a further symbol of hospitality.
The concept of hospitality was central in the lives of Colonial America and the pineapple symbolized the warmest welcome a hostess could extend to her guests. The pineapple has remained a hospitality greeting and can be found on so many decorative pieces.
Line a few of your dining room chairs with some of our fabulous pineapple pillows to extend a warm welcome to your holiday guests! Social networking is great to help us keep in touch, but getting together with friends (with or without the pineapple) well, that's what its all about!
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