Now we’ll see just how mistletoe came to be the Christmas symbol we know it as today.

Mistletoe in Pre-Christian Europe

Many cultures in Europe, before the spread of Christian influence, saw mistletoe as a potent symbol that represented a “divine male essence”. This made it, by association, a plant that had powers related to fertility, vitality and romance. The Celts of the ancient British Isles provide one example in their use of mistletoe as an antidote to poison and as a treatment for curing barrenness in animals.

Mistletoe, the Christmas Flower

It’s not surprising that mistletoe, being so important to so many ancient cultures, carried on through centuries of tradition to ultimately find itself attached to one of the Christianity’s most essential holidays, Christmas.

Beginning in the 18th century, descriptions of mistletoe being used as a Christmas decoration began to appear in art, literature and other contemporary historical accounts. Across Europe and into North America, mistletoe became more than just another holiday plant. Special meanings were attached to the plant in the English-speaking world, including one that saw a new custom come about wherein, after being cut, mistletoe was not to touch the ground before being removed last amoung the Christmas greens used during Candlemas. Superstition made this practice important: it was said that if the mistletoe touched the ground during this period of time, lightning or fire could hit the home. This lead to mistletoe often being hung throughout an entire year, only being removed when it was replaced at the next Christmas Eve.

The most famous tradition related to mistletoe — two people meeting underneath it being made to kiss — started appearing around this time as well (and may have roots in Scandinavian customs). Each time someone kissed underneath the mistltoe, one of its berries was plucked. When the berries were all removed, kissing underneath it was no longer required.

Mistletoe in Ancient Cultures

Mistletoe has always been an important part of several ancient cultures with European mistletoe making an appearance in Greek and Norse mythology (amoung others). Some cultures believed that the plant carried medicinal properties and this is echoed in the modern world with many holistic health traditions using mistletoe as a remedy for respiratory and circulatory ailments. Herbalists across the world continue to use the plant’s twigs and leaves for various treatments and some German naturopaths prescribe mistletoe extract as an anti-cancer agent.

Mistletoe in Folklore

The prevalence of mistletoe in ancient cultures naturally lead to its appearance in many folktales and religious traditions. As mentioned above, the ancient Norse ascribed mistletoe a prominent spot in their culture and the ancient Greeks believed that it was the real-world inspiration for the Golden Bough of Aeneas.

The famous Nordic work, Prose Edda (c. 13th century), describes Loki tricking the blind god Höðr into killing his brother Baldr with a mistletoe “projectile”. Baldr had previously attempted to avert his fate by making all living things swear an oath not to harm him but mistletoe was excepted because it “seemed too young.” Other versions of the myth see Baldr being killed by a sword called Mistilteinn (which is Old Norse for “mistletoe”). Swords similar to Mistilteinn also appear in other contemporary Norse myths.

Mistletoe wasn’t isolated in its importance to Greeks and Nordic cultures either. In our final edition of the history of mistletoe we’ll see how the holiday plant spread from folkloric object to one of the primary symbols of Christmas by tracing its presence in pre-Christian tradition and seeing how this combined with Norse and Greek mythology to make the plant into the holiday symbol that it is today.

In part one of our look at the history of mistletoe, we’ll describe the basic facts of this “holiday flower” before moving on to see how it came to symbolize the many meanings it holds today.

What is Mistletoe?

Mistletoe is a fairly common plant that grows on the branches of trees and shrubs. European and North American mistletoe (the kind that most of us commonly associate with Christmas celebrations and decorations) is characterized by its oval-shaped, smooth evergreen leaves and clusters of berries.

There are several different varieties of mistletoe but the species we think of when we think of the holidays is European Mistletoe (also called Viscum album or Santalaceae) or Eastern Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum).

Mistletoe in Nature

Mistletoe, despite its beautiful appearance, is actually a hemi-parasitic species of plant. It grows on many host trees, often reducing their growth but sometimes, if infestation is heavy, actually killing them outright. It’s a prevalent plant species because it can chose a host from over 200 species of tree and shrub. Mistletoe reproduces mainly through birds carrying its seeds and, although it has a nasty reputation as a harmful parasite, has actually been found to play a vital role in the ecosystems it’s native to as a keystone species. Many animals rely on mistletoe as a food source or as a nesting place. Some studies have also found that mistletoe, because it attracts berry-eating birds, can help to spread the growth of juniper (through eaten and excreted juniper seeds).

Next time we’ll begin to look into the roots of mistletoe’s cultural history, exploring just how a simple, fairly plain-looking plant came to exist in the company of other, popular holiday flowers (and, of course, where modern traditions involving kissing under the mistletoe stemmed from).

While you’re enjoying your holiday with family and loved ones, we’ll be doing our best delivering all of your orders across the city and beyond. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for all reputable florists, and we won’t disappoint by delivering your beautiful Christmas flowers and gourmet gift baskets punctually.

Best wishes, everybody!

One of the biggest holidays of the year is just 2 days away and yet there’s still time to make an emergency call to your local Toronto florist to order your Christmas flowers and gift baskets. That’s right! As one of the most experienced florists in the city, we know that there will be plenty of people who have left their Christmas shopping to the last minute, so we’ve stocked up to help out those frantically trying to shop for everyone on their list. We still have plenty of fresh flowers and bountiful baskets filled with fruit, candies and gourmet treats.

Why Give a Gourmet Gift Basket?

Why not? It’s a tradition that has survived through more than a couple of centuries. The act of giving food as a present is not only practical – it’s also a welcome change from the usual flowers (or socks) that some of us receive. Think about it: gourmet gift baskets are really just edible presents that are arranged in a basket so that they can be transported easily. And since nobody wants to give something ugly, the treats are arranged attractively with decorations to add beauty. Voila!

Forget about those healthy fruit baskets and nut selections we’ve been talking about – it’s time to turn our attention to sweet, sugar laden treats!

Okay, it’s not the healthiest of gifts, but Candy Gift Baskets sure appeal to a wider audience than sensible fruit baskets, don’t you think? That crinkly and colourful packaging harking back to your childhood, the crisp foil covering each sugary morsel, the huge variety of tastes tantalizing the tongue – the holiday season is a time to let loose a little and succumb to the lure of candy. You (or someone you know) have had cravings all year and faithfully stuck to your diet.  Now is the time to give in to temptation and live a little!

All of our Candy Gift Baskets are packed full of treats, literally overflowing at the brim. They’ve got chocolate bars, hard candy, jelly beans, caramel and tons more. Know your friend loves a particular chocolate bar and want to make sure they get it? Just let us know by filling out the Special Instructions Box at the time of ordering online. Since all of our Candy Gift Baskets are assembled in-house, our designers can tailor each order to your specifications. You can also call us and order over the phone.

You have 4 days until Christmas. Fortunately, there’s still time to order your Candy Gift Basket. Do it today and still get your order by the 25th.

Trudging through the snow becomes a little more enjoyable when festive lights and decorations adorn the homes in your neighbourhood. And nothing is more welcoming at Christmas than a beautiful wreath that hangs on the front doors of the home you’re about to enter.

Christmas wreaths are the most popular outdoor Christmas arrangements and easily top the list at number 1.

Although the idea of the wreath has been around since ancient Persian times, wreaths particularly designed for Christmas have been around since the 19th century and are associated with the Catholic faith. They are believed to have originated in Western Europe. More than a decorative item, its circular form symbolizes the eternal presence of God, without beginning or end.

There are several styles, ranging from traditional to modern. The traditional green evergreen ring is decorated with clusters of shiny winterberries and an extravagant red velvet bow. A candle is often included to signify the sun. More modern designs stray from evergreen and use other materials, such as intertwined branches, compressed moss, and pine cones. Some trendier styles are composed of man made materials, such as plastic or metal. All types of wreaths may be found at a Toronto florist, handcrafted by a designer that understands the complexities of creating them.

At 416-Florist.com, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for our expert flower designers. We actually have to expand our florist and sales crew just for the holiday! Working day and night, they are preparing a number of beautiful Christmas flower arrangements and gift baskets instilled with the spirit of the holiday season.

Traditional Colours

Most use plants, fruits and blooms in the traditional colours of white, green and red. White represents purity, green is life through the stillness of winter and red signifies eternity.

You’ll also find that red is the most common colour of flowers that bloom around this time of year (poinsettia come to my mind?) or of the berries that grow on mistletoe and holly plants. However, pink may also be used as it is the colour of the Christmas Rose, a flower that blooms despite snow and frost.

Why Send Christmas Flowers and Gift Baskets?

Despite their variety, all Christmas flower arrangements and gourmet gift baskets serve a common purpose: they express the gratitude and appreciation of the sender to the recipient. So, whether it’s a professional relation, like a coworker, boss, and client, or a personal one, like parents, and a best friend – holiday bouquets, plants and baskets are about saying thank you to the people who have enriched your life in the past year. It’s also a way to say thank you for their support into the new year.

Remember – We deliver on Sundays, too!

It’s not too late to order a Christmas gift for your loved one, whether they’re in Canada or outside of the country. However, with the diverse selection we offer, which present would be the best thing to get for your recipient?

Gourmet Gift Baskets
Decorative baskets, boxes and tins crammed with edible goodies – gourmet gift baskets are a popular way to express gratitude and appreciation to your recipient.

After all, the the only true way to the heart is through the stomach!

The Benefits

• appeals to their palate and appetite
• doesn’t perish as quickly as flowers
• the larger ones are quite extravagant
• can be “more useful”, since they look nice and can be eaten
• the container holding the goodies is reusable

Fruit Baskets
Although fruit baskets don’t seem like a traditional gift to send to your recipient, they actually top the list as Christmas presents (especially in some countries, like Japan). The fruit baskets we offer at 416-Florist.com are arranged by our florists. They aren’t just baskets o’ fruit – each is garnished with the freshest flowers of the season.

The Benefits

• a healthier alternative to edible gift baskets
• they’re gorgeous to look at; check out the vibrant colours!
• makes a beautiful centrepiece

Flower Arrangements

The traditional gift for Christmas, Christmas flower arrangements never fail to embody the best of your sentiments for the holidays. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs, making them a great gift for anybody, from your closest family members to acquaintances and co-workers.

The Benefits

• the most common gift to send for the holiday season
• beautiful to look at and makes a wonderful decorative item
• arrangements can be adjusted for colour or style to accommodate any holiday
• the selection available is most varied for flower arrangements
• vases, baskets and containers are all reusable

As a host, it’s your duty to provide your guests with plenty of food and a bottomless cup. But how about sprinkling the table with some healthy snacks, too? And if you’re a guest, you may want to bring some nuts and dried fruit assortments to the party rather than the usual bottle of wine.

We’ve got a number of great nut and dried fruit trays, with far less calories than your traditional treats. Check out the calories in the following:

Something Different Nut and Dried Fruit Tray

You’ve got savoury and sweet here.
dried figs: 100 calories/half cup
dried apples: 50/5 pieces
wasabi edamame: 130/quarter cup
ferrero rocher chocolate: 220/1 piece (it’s pretty high, but it balances out, don’t you think?)

Ringlettes Nut and Dried Fruit Tray

This tray is bursting with the natural sweetness of pineapple, apricot and oranges.
dried apricots: 100 calories/quarter cup
dried pineapples: 140/7 pieces
dried apples: 50/5 pieces
dried orange slices: 130/third of a cup

These trays also make great presents for those of us celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Sunday. And since we deliver on Sundays, if you order today your recipient will receive their gift right on time.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!