My mother always used to have hyacinths flowering indoors for Christmas. I would love to grow them myself, but don't know where to start. It is best to use prepared bulbs that have been subjected to a temperature regime, which will make them flower as and when you want, rather than using normal hyacinth bulbs. The bulbs can be planted any time up until October but for them to flower indoors by mid-December they should be planted in late August. You can either use a special bulb fibre, which is useful if you are using bowls without drainage, John Innes No 2 compost, or a multi-purpose compost.
Part fill the container with moistened compost or fibre and gently nestle the bulbs onto it.
Do not press too hard or you will compact the compost. The bulbs can be very close together, but should not touch. Top up the compost so that only the noses of the bulbs show, then water just enough to moisten the compost thoroughly. To allow the bulbs to form a good root system, which is essential for flowering, they must be kept cool and in the dark. After a couple of weeks, and then again every week, check the bulbs to see if they need more water and to see how they are progressing.