MMC The Rise and Fall of Mistletoe as a Christmas Tradition

[Jeff Westover]

Mistletoe is perhaps the most backwards of Christmas traditions.
Most today associate mistletoe with a Christmas kiss – something that happens now rarely, if spontaneously – and only if mistletoe is included in festive activities (it rarely is anymore).
Unlike most traditions of Christmas mistletoe has not really survived into modern times with the esteem and adaptability of other Christmas traditions.
Christmas trees, Christmas cards and Christmas carols have only become more popular with time. Mistletoe has not.
Trees, cards and carols have adapted to technology and changing tastes. Mistletoe has not.
In America, mistletoe was another tradition swiped of English Christmas practices and twisted into something a little different.
Over the course of the Victorian era mistletoe was a popular Christmas party pastime that was more unique to America than to England. It was as common as Christmas trees.
But in the first decade of the 20th century it stopped cold as a Christmas tradition...

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[DixieBelle]

That was such an interesting read. Thanks, Jeff. I had no idea about the history of mistletoe. The "poop on a twig" and "a tinker's whoop" gave me quite the chuckle!

 

[cparishjr]

Funny, the last time we used real mistletoe was at a church youth Christmas party. Had no idea we were such heathens.