Remember Mistletoe?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (183027)
Boise, Idaho
December 10, 2025 8:48pm CST
When I was younger we could buy bouquets of these in stores. I wonder if a person can even find plastic ones nowadays. I am reading that some can be found at florists, farmers markets, or specialty online shops. There are growing kits that can shipped out in late winter.
But what is the mistletoe, why was it banned, and what was it used for?
* In 18th century England a custom became popular where a man could kiss a woman under the mistletoe. A bouquet was often seen in doorways at festive parties.
* Thought to be used in pagan ceremonies so early Christian churches banned it's used.
* Mistletoe berries are considered toxic.
* It is rather expensive because it is not simple to grow. It is a parasite and one must first a suitable host to grow it on.
* Some species survive for 60- 70 years depending on the host tree.
* It was originally used for powerful medicinal and spiritual uses. It is said to cure epilepsy, infertility, and as a symbol of fertility, peace and protection.
10 people like this
9 responses
@LindaOHio (208047)
• United States
11 Dec
I knew about kissing under a mistletoe. I got my first kiss under a plastic one. Long story; but the guy ended up being my husband. Thank you for the mistletoe trivia!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (163447)
• United States
11 Dec
Yes, I remember it. We used to harvest it from trees growing on my sister's property in Arkansas and use it for decorations during the holidays. My older brothers always took a .22 rifle with them and shot the mistletoe out of the tops of trees. We kids would gather it up from where it fell.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166725)
• United States
11 Dec
When I was in college, 45 years ago, my dad shot some down out of a tree and sent it to me to share with friends on campus.
@Tampa_girl7 (53944)
• United States
11h
I remember it. I haven’t seen it in a very ling time.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (367080)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec
We see trees with mistletoe here but it may not be quite the same. Ours is a parasite.
@Dreamerby (9678)
• Calcutta, India
13h
I know about this custom of kissing under a mistletoe. I consider it really sweet and romantic!
@RasmaSandra (91712)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Dec
The mistletoe is an interesting tradition, but everyone should know that the mistletoe is poisonous if ingested and should be kept away from animals and children, so it is best hung up real high where they cannot get to it.
@Deepizzaguy (116564)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Dec
Thank you for sharing facts about the mistletoe on this post.









