Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe? The Curious History of Christmas’s Most Romantic Tradition
Few Christmas traditions have captured the imagination quite like the custom of standing beneath a sprig of mistletoe. It is a moment that has appeared in novels, paintings, films and countless family gatherings for generations. Sometimes it is met with laughter, sometimes with embarrassment, and occasionally it becomes the beginning of a story that will be retold for years to come. Yet despite its enduring popularity, remarkably few people know how this curious tradition came to be.
Unlike the Christmas tree or the figure of Santa Claus, the history of mistletoe cannot be traced to one single origin. Instead, it is the product of many centuries of folklore, changing beliefs and evolving customs, each adding another layer to the story until the small evergreen plant became one of the most recognisable symbols of Christmas.
Mistletoe itself has always seemed unusual. Rather than growing from the ground like most plants, it lives upon the branches of other trees, drawing water and nutrients from its host while producing glossy green leaves and distinctive white berries. During winter, when many trees stand bare against grey skies, mistletoe remains vibrantly green, suspended high among the branches as though untouched by the passing seasons. For people living in the ancient world, this remarkable resilience made the plant appear almost magical.
Among the earliest recorded references to mistletoe comes from the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who described the importance of mistletoe in ceremonies associated with the Druids of ancient Gaul. According to his account, Druids regarded mistletoe growing on oak trees as especially significant and harvested it during sacred rituals. While Pliny’s writings remain one of our principal historical sources, modern historians are careful to note that relatively little contemporary evidence survives regarding Druidic practices. As a result, many later stories about mistletoe’s supposed magical powers should be understood as folklore rather than established historical fact.
Across Europe, however, the plant gradually acquired a reputation for bringing protection, good fortune and peace. In various traditions, branches of mistletoe were hung inside homes during winter, where they were believed to ward off misfortune or encourage harmony among those living beneath the same roof. Although the details differed from region to region, the underlying theme remained remarkably consistent: mistletoe was seen as a plant capable of bringing people together.
One of the best-known legends associated with mistletoe comes from Norse mythology. According to later medieval sources recounting older traditions, the god Baldr was killed by a spear or arrow fashioned from mistletoe after the trickster god Loki exploited the plant’s unique role in the story. Following Baldr’s death and eventual restoration in some versions of the legend, mistletoe became associated with love, reconciliation and the promise that no hostility should exist beneath its branches. Historians recognise this as mythology rather than historical fact, yet the tale undoubtedly influenced later European folklore surrounding the plant.
The custom that we would recognise today appears to have taken shape much later. By the eighteenth century, references begin to appear describing the practice of hanging mistletoe indoors during the Christmas season in parts of Britain. During the Victorian era, when Christmas traditions flourished and family celebrations became increasingly elaborate, the custom spread rapidly. It became fashionable for a gentleman to request a kiss from a lady standing beneath the mistletoe, although etiquette of the time required that the gesture should always be welcome and never imposed. Contemporary accounts also describe the practice of removing one berry from the mistletoe after each kiss, with the tradition ending once every berry had been picked.
Victorian Christmas celebrations delighted in rituals that combined romance with playfulness, and mistletoe fitted perfectly into this festive atmosphere. As Christmas cards, illustrated magazines and popular literature spread these images across Britain and beyond, the custom soon became familiar throughout much of the English-speaking world.
Today, few families concern themselves with ancient folklore or Victorian etiquette when they hang mistletoe during December. Instead, it has become a light-hearted symbol of affection, friendship and festive cheer. Whether it appears above a doorway, in a wreath or woven into seasonal decorations, its presence quietly recalls centuries of stories in which people sought peace, kindness and human connection during the darkest days of winter.
Perhaps that is why the tradition has endured for so long. The mistletoe itself is a modest plant, easily overlooked among grand Christmas trees and glittering decorations. Yet it reminds us that Christmas has never been defined solely by gifts or ornaments. At its heart, the season has always been about bringing people together, strengthening old friendships, celebrating family and, occasionally, finding the courage to share a kiss beneath a little sprig of green.
Deck your doorways with festive greenery
You may not have mistletoe to hand, but a little greenery brings that same warmth to any doorway. Drape our LED Tinsel Garland or the classic Green Christmas Garland above the doorway and let the gatherings begin. Find more festive touches in our Home Decor collection.
Know a couple who met under the mistletoe? Share this post and make them smile.
