from How to Have A Romantic Holiday


There’s no better excuse for a kiss than when it’s beneath a twig of mistletoe. This (poisonous) evergreen parasite is traditionally hung during the holidays and, of course, you must kiss beneath its bough.

Just where did the tradition start? Mistletoe was part of the pagan culture, a plant believed to have medicinal qualities. The Druids harvested the mistletoe following elaborate ceremonies. However, it was the Norsemen who developed the tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe. It wasn’t the romantic promise of today but a "kiss and make up" kind of situation. The kiss on each cheek beneath the mistletoe followed the signing of peace treaties.

Today, kissing beneath the mistletoe has spread throughout much of the world. The British believe that just one kiss should be permitted for each berry on the mistletoe and that you should pull the berries with each kiss. Take heed: choose your mistletoe wisely!

Where are the best places to find mistletoe? In the US, it grows wild in many southern states up as far north as West Virginia. Commercially, the plant is harvested in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for companies that sell and ship the plant around the world.

Pucker up!

Next page: Find time for each other