I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by Cindy Regnier

Did anyone hang a sprig of mistletoe in a doorway this Christmas? We all know the tradition. A couple caught under the mistletoe must share a kiss. But what exactly is mistletoe and where did this tradition start?

Maybe you know that Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant. In other words, it embeds itself into other plants (often trees) and steals its nutrients from the host. It can then multiply rapidly and infect surrounding trees, sometimes to the point of killing them. Because of its parasitic nature and the stories from Norse mythology, those in ancient times attributed mystical powers to mistletoe. Celtic Druids cut it from oak trees with golden sickles on the 6th night of the moon. They believed it to have life giving powers, bestow fertility, protect against poisons and ward off evil spirits. 

Mistletoe on a tree

The mythological story of mistletoe says the god of peace, Baldur, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe but his parents Odin and Frigga restored his life and gave mistletoe to the goddess of love. Therefore, it was decreed that anyone who passed under mistletoe should receive a kiss.

Another story says that Baldur, grandson of Thor, was sure every plant and animal on earth wanted to kill him. His mother and wife asked for kindness from every living thing to leave Baldur in peace. Each agreed but just as Baldur was released from the torment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and died. He had been stabbed by an arrow of mistletoe because his mother had neglected to ask the mistletoe for kindness. And so came the tradition “never forget the mistletoe!” We kiss beneath it to remember what Baldur’s mother forgot. 

Regardless where it started or why, early customs said men could steal a kiss from any woman caught standing under the mistletoe, and refusing was bad luck. Furthermore, a berry must be plucked from the sprig of mistletoe with each kiss, and the kissing stopped once they were all gone. It was very fortunate to find a sprig of mistletoe with many berries! 

In American culture we consider mistletoe a holiday decoration without realizing it dates back to ancient mythology. During the Christmas season we hang branches of mistletoe in homes and gathering places, inviting couples to share a kiss underneath. It has become a symbol of peace, love, and reconciliation during the Christmas season, not to mention adding a little fun and romance as well.

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.