Where did mistletoe come from?
Mistletoe has long been held sacred by ancient civilizations: The Druids would cut mistletoe from an oak tree with a golden sickle; the branches had to be caught before they touched the ground to preserve their sanctity. The branches were then divided into sprigs and hung over doorways as protection against evil. It was also believed that a sprig of mistletoe placed in a baby’s cradle would protect the child from goblins, or that giving a sprig to the first cow calving would protect the entire herd. Mistletoe is also seen as a symbol of peace and joy. During the time of the Druids, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce. The custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging a kiss as a sign of friendship, goodwill, or even love, is said to have originated from that tradition. How did Candy Canes come to be so popular? During the 17th century, throughout Europe, religious ceremonies were held in hon
