While there might be less mistletoe encounters this year because of Covid, it’s still one of the most unique traditions of the holiday season. But where did it all start anyway?
The actual mistletoe plant itself grows on many different trees like willow, apple, and oak trees. The tradition of hanging it up in your house goes all the way back to ancient Britain and France. The theory was that it possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the house and ward off any evil spirits. It was also believed to show a sign of love and friendship.
Now to the whole kissing under the mistletoe part. That all started in England back in the 1700s. The earliest recorded date of someone talking about kissing under a mistletoe was in a musical from 1784. There were also many illustrations of people kissing under mistletoe in various books of “A Christmas Carol” story which was published in 1843.
So there you go. This year maybe just stick to kissing your significant other and nobody random. Just to be safe.
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