How About A Christmas Kiss...??

There are so many Christmas traditions, it's hard to keep up with them all!

Very few of these traditions are as pleasant as the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. I mean, if nothing else...it's certainly one of the most pleasant!

Like most of the Christmas traditions, this one is rooted in history. In fact, the origins of kissing under the mistletoe might just surprise you!

Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. They revered the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.

The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe to have magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace.

Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year.

All I can say is...I don't care where it's from, or where it started, or even who started it! I love it! Of course, being just an old man I don't get a chance to practice this particular tradition as much as I'd like, but that's OK! I have enough memories of trips under the mistletoe to keep me warm for a long, long time!

Now, with that being said...I have to warn all you pretty young ladies out there that if you find yourself being anywhere near the mistletoe...and if you see some old gray-bearded hermit looking guy hanging around, then BE PREPARED!

I hope you know that I'm just fooling here! I think that the kiss is only a nice thing if both parties are into it evenly, ya know? Besides, you know that I don't do the party thing too much, so there!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit at the kitchen table for a bit. Don't worry...there is no mistletoe hanging anywhere near, OK?