"Kiss me under the mistletoe"
Kiss your loved one (or a stranger) under the biggest and most beautiful mistletoe at the Haarlemse Kerstmarkt (9-11 December) and donate for Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds. This Fund Foundation provides a welcoming place for families with sick children to rest, just steps away from the hospital. A lot of parents and their children need our support. Let’s make their lives a bit easier, every single euro counts.
Kissing under the mistletoe is a well-known holiday tradition, but the history of this popular Christmas decoration as a symbolic herb, dates back thousands of years:
- In ancient culture, mistletoe was used for its healing properties;
- The Druids believed mistletoe provided protection from all evil and that the oaks it was seen growing on, were honored as well;
- Norsemen believed the mistletoe was a plant of peace, when enemies met under the mistletoe, they were obliged to stop fighting for at least a day.
- In England, young girls took a mistletoe leaf and put it under their pillows at night. They would then supposedly dream about a particular man they would marry someday;
- In the 18th century, mistletoe became associated with Christmas from the tradition of hanging mistletoe in one’s home to bring good luck and peace to those within the house.
