Mistletoe and Holly: History, Symbolism, and Traditions
With the holiday season upon us, two iconic shrubs find their way into homes and into people’s imaginations: mistletoe and holly.
One promises good luck and renewal for the new year, while the other protects and illuminates Christmas with its vibrant red. Together, they form an iconic botanical duo of this festive season, deeply rooted in European traditions.
At Sessile, we love the stories these shrubs tell: hope, light, and the gentleness that withstands the winter cold—an invitation to celebrate the season and the holidays with depth and emotion
Mistletoe and holly: two quintessentially winter plants
Mistletoe and holly have this in common: they make it throughthe winter without losing their luster. When most plants fade away, they continue to shine.
Their presence at the heart of the holiday season is therefore no coincidence: their berries, their evergreen leaves, and their symbolic meaning make them natural companions for the months of December and January.
I find my bouquet of flowers
Mistletoe: A Plant That Brings Good Luck for the New Year
A subtle yet fascinating plant, hanging from trees like a tiny plant-like star, mistletoe has long been associated with good luck and renewal. It’s the perfect symbol for the New Year.
History and Origins of Mistletoe
Mistletoe owes part of its reputation to the Druids, who regarded it as a sacred plant capable of protecting homes. Its rarity—it grows in clusters above the ground—gave it an almost magical quality.
Over the centuries, it has come to symbolize prosperity and serve as a wish for health and peace. In Northern Europe, people would hang it on their doors to ward off bad luck and ensure a harmonious home.
Why do people kiss under the mistletoe on New Year's Day?
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe stems from an ancient Anglo-Saxon custom: when a couple kissed under a branch, they ensured their fidelity and goodwill for the coming year.
Even today, this gesture has retained all its poetry: a kiss under the mistletoe is a tender way to wish love, tenderness, and good luck to those we love.
Holly: Protection, Light, and Hope for Christmas
With its evergreen leaves and bright red berries, the holly is a true little beacon of winter. It brings color and vitality when nature falls silent.
A symbol of protection and joy, it is one of the oldest Christmas symbols.
Symbols and Beliefs Associated with Holly
Holly has always been associated with protecting the home. Its prickly leaves were believed to ward off evil spirits, while its red berries symbolized life that endures even during the coldest times of the year.
It also symbolizes resilience, quiet strength, and a light that never goes out—three concepts deeply connected to winter and the holiday season.
A festive plant rooted in European traditions
In many European countries, holly has been used for centuries to decorate doors, wreaths, and Christmas tables.
It was traditionally used to celebrate the winter solstice and, later, to light up Christian celebrations.
Today, it continues to embody this dual symbolism: a bridge between nature and celebration, between tradition and modernity.
Mistletoe and holly: How can you tell them apart?
If we had to name one key difference between mistletoe and holly, it would be the holiday they are associated with. Mistletoe marks the transition to the new year and is associated with wishes for happiness, while holly is inextricably linked to Christmas and its decorations.
Visually, too, they are easy to tell apart. To distinguish them at a glance, you can look at the color of their berries: mistletoe forms small clusters with soft leaves, dotted with white berries, while holly is recognizable by its glossy, prickly leaves, set off by its bright red berries.
Mistletoe and holly to make the holidays even more special with Sessile
At Sessile, we love mistletoe and holly for what they are: two shrubs deeply connected to winter, capable of adding natural beauty without artifice and celebrating the holidays with natural elegance. Their presence in a bouquet conveys something simple and essential: a connection to traditions, to nature, and to what remains alive when everything else slows down.
Incorporated in subtle touches into the arrangements created by our artisan florists, they add depth, light, and that slightly timeless poetry that gives the holidays their charm. It’s also a way to highlight the plants that truly embody Christmas and New Year’s—a local, sustainable approach that respects the rhythm of nature.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
