Christmas traditions explained-Would you kiss under the mistletoe?

Photo+courtesy+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesaucysoutherner.com

Photo courtesy https://www.thesaucysoutherner.com

Every family has its own special traditions, from hanging stockings by the fireplace, to the Christmas Eve feast of the “Seven Fishes”, to putting the final touch on the top of the tree–is it a star, an angel, or something else? There are many other unique Christmas traditions that are followed, but no one really knows why.
One of the strangest of these Christmas traditions in the U.S. is “The Christmas Pickle.” “The Christmas Pickle” is a modern American Christmas tradition, the origin of which no one is particularly sure. In the late 1800’s, stores began importing and selling glass blown ornaments from France and Germany. These ornaments often were shaped like fruits and vegetables. Pickles must have been among these, and the idea took off!
The whole idea behind “The Christmas Pickle” is that the glass pickle ornament would be the last ornament to go on the tree, hidden by the parents, and the first child to find it the next morning would get an extra present or would be the child to hand out the gifts to everyone (whychristmas.com).
Berrien Springs, MI, is recognized as the Christmas Pickle capital of the world. The Michigan Outfitter even wrote in one of their holiday editions that “the older generation from Berrien Springs recall from their youth always having pickles on their trees.” Residents even have a celebration in the early part of December to celebrate this tradition, which begins with a parade and fresh pickles being handed out!
Another strange American tradition includes the yule log. According to whychristmas.com, the yule log was originally an entire tree that was carefully chosen by the whole entire family. The tree would then be taken into the house and the larger end of the tree would be placed into the hearth of the fireplace, while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room. The tree would be lit from the remains of the previous year’s log–the family would keep the ashes safe for the next year–and the ashes would slowly be fed into the fire throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas.
While many people light fires in their fireplaces, the yule log, however, is almost strictly watched on television because it is easier and cheaper. Although, you can’t get the old fashioned warmth and nostalgia from a screen!
Kissing under the mistletoe is another incredibly odd American tradition that everyone accepts but the reason is unclear.
If you see mistletoe above you, you are supposed to share a kiss with the other person who is underneath it with you. Whychristmas.com explains that the tradition of mistletoe comes from several different mythologies from various cultures that all combined to make the modern idea of mistletoe a reality.
The idea of hanging mistletoe in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. The Druids believed that the magical mistletoe sprig brought good luck and warded off evil spirits that may have been lingering in the home.
In Norse mythology mistletoe is a symbol of love and friendship when Frigg, the goddess of love kissed those who passed beneath it.
The modern custom, that some people love and some hate, of kissing under mistletoe comes from England. The original custom for kissing was that a berry was to be picked from the sprig of mistletoe before the person could be kissed, and when all the berries were finally picked, there could be no more kissing (whychristmas.com).
Whether you place your shoes by the door to be filled with presents, hang up a glass pickle, kiss your true love under the mistletoe, or open one present on Christmas Eve, what truly matters is that each tradition is special to you and to your family. The true heart of Christmas is the special memories that come along with spending time with your loved ones.