Tag Archive
art Band blog Bows Bridal Cake Candles Crafts Crystal Decoration Decorations Design Diamond diy Dress Favor favors flickr Flower Flowers Gifts Gold Home inspiration Jewelry map maps Party Photo photography Photos productivity reference Ring Rose sharing shopping Shower Table tools travel web2.0 webdesign Wedding White
Kissing Ball
Kissing Ball
The Victorian Kissing Ball
Everyone knows about stealing a kiss under the mistletoe but not everyone knows about the kissing ball. This ornament harks back to Colonial days in America and it was a popular Christmas decoration during the Victorian era in England. It is the predecessor of the tradition of hanging mistletoe in a doorway and why many people stopped using this particular ornament is unclear. What is clear is that it is starting to come back into ‘style’ today as more and more people discover this unique Christmas decoration.
The kissing ball has always been made of evergreen boughs and mistletoe, unless you purchase a modern one that is made of some type of material that will not wilt or fade as it gets old. Bay and pine, rosemary, lavender and thyme were also used in the ball when they were handmade. During the Victorian era, the base of the ball was made from an apple or a potato. Each of the flowers or herbs that were used in the construction of the ball had a meaning. For example, mistletoe was used to help the people who kissed beneath it overcome difficulties throughout the year.
In addition to the base, herbs, and pine used in the decoration, they were also decorated with ribbons, other small ornaments, and sometimes even lighted candles. The ball was also made using a double hoop made of metal or grapevine for the base and this particular style had a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the center. In Canada, the kissing ball also included nuts, berries, pinecones, and sometimes even popcorn. It also replaced the traditional Christmas tree in Canada where many of the homes in the northern regions of the country were too small to accommodate a tree.
Just like the popular tradition of kissing under the mistletoe today, couples would kiss beneath a kissing ball in olden days. Young women who were caught under the decoration had to pay the price and give the gentleman who caught her there a kiss. Some other traditions stated that couples that kissed beneath the ball would stay together for the year and maybe even marry. In order to ensure that the power of the herbs and plants used in the ball lasted throughout the year, the kissing ball was traditionally burned on Twelfth Night.
If you are interested in making your own decoration for your home, there are numerous craft instructions available on the Internet for you use. These instructions range from making a small ball with the traditional apple or potato base to actually growing a ball in a round metal frame planter that includes ivy, holly, and other Christmastime plants that can be started growing early in the year so that it is ready to decorate for the holidays.
About the Author
Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath Company. Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar Harbor, Maine, which handcrafts a fresh Maine balsam fir Christmas wreath, Christmas Centerpiece and Kissing Ball which are shipped directly to customers and corporate clients throughout the United States.
Anyone need a person to kiss when the ball drops?
Lay one on me. I just brushed my teeth.
Where's the love ya'll? ....I don't know.
I'm 22. You won't be sorry. I'm a good kisser too.
i would rather not. who knows if u ever brushed ur teeth before this moment.
How To Make A Pomander Ball (Kissing Ball) Using Silk Flowers
 |
 Silk Bridal Bouquet Sale 22pc $99 Designed for You  US $99.00
|
 12 Silk Red Rose Pomanders with black satin ribbon US $150.00
|
 RAY CHARLES ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL BEST OF 60 SONG 3 CD US $10.99
|
 SILK BRIDAL BOUQUET WEDDING PACKAGE 22 PC $9900 US $99.00
|
 12 PINE ARTIFICIAL KISSING BALL CHRISTMAS DECORATION US $15.00
|
 78 RPM LOT 7 OF 20 RED LABEL COLUMBIA RECORDS US $1.00
|
 Mitch Miller 36 Sing Along Favorites 3 CD set US $22.98
|
 Mitch Miller 65 Sing Along Favorites 3 CD set US $19.98
|
 Twilight Saga Silver Toggle Bracelet TWILIGHT ECLIPSE US $12.99
|
 TWO AND A HALF MENComplete Season 123456NEW DVD US $118.81
|
 Bridal Bouquet Wedding Pkg 22 pc 9900 CUSTOM MADE US $99.00
|
 Lightly Padded MAYA WRAP Ring Sling DARK KHAKI NewColor US $59.79
|
 DOO WOP ALAN FREED CHRISTMAS GIFT 10 DVD BOX SET US $39.99
|
 Lightly Padded MAYA WRAP Ring Sling LEMON LIME NewColor US $59.79
|
 Accordion Party CD over an hour of great melodies OOP US $13.98
|
 WEDDING CENTERPIECE PACKAGE 3 Pc Set $9900 US $99.00
|
 Ivory Silk Rose Kissing Ball Wedding Flower Decoration US $35.40
|
 CRYSTAL RHINESTONE JEWELS BOUQUET JEWELRY 3MM 50 STEMS US $12.95
|
 Rose Maddox The One Rose 4CDBox Bear Family Records US $92.00
|
 REAL witch Book of Shadows CAST SPELLS potion MAGIC CD US $19.49
|
 10X White Silk Flowers Kissing Ball Wedding Decorations US $66.99
|
 Lightly Padded MAYA WRAP Ring Sling NEW COLORS by MWrap US $59.79
|
 Frank Sinatra Sinatra In Hollywood 40 64 6CDs $7495 US $74.95
|
 Lightly Padded MAYA WRAP Ring Sling BRIGHT STRIPE US $59.79
|
 THE GOONIES Dave Grusin CD LIMITED US $47.53
|
|
|
7 Kissing Ball $8.95 these are 7" balls they come in white green , hot pink . and red... |
|
|
5 Burgundy Fully Covered Heart Shaped Wreath / Kissing Ball $14.95 This heart shaped wreath is fully covered with lovely burgundy roses. There are 3 dark green leaves up at the top that could be easily removed.... |
|
|
Succulent kissing ball $34.00 3" welded wire ball filled with sphagnum moss and fully planted with succulents. Grown to perfection in our greenhouses. Built in rigid hanger. Requires minimum care.... |
|
|
Max Bygraves: Come Sing Along With Me [4 VINYL LP SET] [STEREO] $199.95 4 STEREO VINYL LP SET! Max Bygraves: Come Sing Along With Me! 1984 Canadian Import Compilation! 150 Songs On 50 Tracks!... |
|
|
Sports Bloopers Mania $2.97 "Sports Bloopers Mania" features the funniest action from just about every sport invented. Hilarious goofs and gaffes from the football fields, baseball stadiums and announcers booths are included. See your favorite NBA players stumbling and bumbling their way into the blooper hall of shame. As a special treat, watch as we set up Charles Barkley for a one on one court visit by Morganna-The Kissing... |
|
|
Wilton Holland Kissing Rose Ball Wedding Decorations $9.99 Beautiful floral arrangement decorates pews, doorways, tables and windows at the ceremony and reception.... |
|
|
The Par fect Blend Kissing Golf Balls Personalized Tea Personalized Tea! Give your guests a moment of relaxation with a soothing cup of delicious tea. The Tea Collection provides a rich, traditional blend of black tea producing a robust, satisfying brew. Each tea bag comes sealed in a beautiful white gloss foil envelope (2.5"w x 3"h) to lock in the flavor and freshness. All designs can be personalized with two lines of text. Tea: Minimum Order: 60 She... |
|
|
The Par fect Couple Kissing Golf Balls Personalized Chocolate Bar 1.55oz Personalized Chocolate Bars! Hershey?'s 1.55oz Chocolate Bar: Minimum Order: 30 Shelf Life: 1 year (approx.) Pkg. Size: 5.5"w X 2.25"h (approx.) Ingredients: Hershey?'s milk chocolate candy bar Kosher: Yes (OUD) Net Wt.: 1.55oz. Ship Wt.: 0.14 lbs. (approx.) Imprint Information: 30 characters max (line 1) 30 characters max (line 2) Production Time: Usually ships in 4-8 business days Please review ... |
|
|
Kissing Ball $4.50 While his wife, Anirra, waits and worries Julian Hayes is lost in the storm. Is the woman he meets on the road another lost pilgrim, as she seems, or is she really the dreaded ban sidhe come to steal his soul and visit him with the worst of luck.... |
|
|
The Herb Companion [ Vol. 9 No. 2, Dec 1996/Jan 1997 ] Holiday Herbs (A Rosemary Gallery, Kissing Ball, Herbs in Wine Country, Cardamom, Vol. 9 No. 2) ... |
|
|
The Par fect Mix Kissing Golf Balls Personalized Lemonade Personalized Lemonade Mix! Each single serving of drink mix comes sealed in a beautiful white gloss pouch (4"w x 5.5"h) that contains 1 ounce of the powder drink mixture. Instructions are on the back on how to mix the pouch contents to create a delicious drink. All designs can be personalized with two lines of text. Lemonade Mix: Minimum Order: 30 Shelf Life: 12 months (approx.) Pkg. Size: 4"w X 5... |
|
|
The Par fect Mix Kissing Golf Balls Personalized Cappuccino Personalized Cappuccino Mix! A Sophisticated Thank You... Indulge Your Guests with Mocha Cappuccino. Expand your guests' coffee horizons with a cup of velvety-smooth, creamy mocha cappuccino. Now more then ever, flavorful cappuccino drinks are being served not only in the early morning hours, but throughout the day. These delicious favors make an undeniably impressive gift that is sure to warm the... |
|
|
The Par fect Mix Kissing Golf Balls Personalized Cocoa Personalized Cocoa Mix! Give your guests a gift they can savor...these favors aim to please the taste buds. Each time they take a sip of our rich decadent hot cocoa, the sweetest thoughts of your special day are guaranteed to follow. Once only a traditional winter beverage, our cocoa is designed for enjoyment throughout the year. Each single serving of drink mix comes sealed in a beautiful white g... |
|
|
Kissing $14 Kissing |
|
|
On Kissing $2.86 Buy and sell [On Kissing] at great prices. |
