Kissing Bough

A pre-cursor to the Christmas tree was the 'Kissing Bough'. This was a piece of mixed greenery which would have included mistletoe, ivy, candles, evergreens, cinnamon sticks and apples.

KISSING BOUGH:

Materials:
4 x wire coat hangers (straightened) and some Florist's wire or a hook
Red crepe paper
Ivy, holly, mistletoe and other festive greenery
Apples
Cinnamon sticks
Decorative lights or candles

Equipment:
Scissors
Pliers

Step 1: Take two of the straightened coat hanger wires and join the ends with pliers to form a circle.

Step 2: Form the remaining two pieces of coat hanger into a cross.

Step 3: Attach the ends of the cross to the circle of wire.

Step 4: Bind all the wires with strips of red crepe paper.

Step 5: Wind the ivy, holly and other greenery round the wire until it is completely covered.

Step 6: Next attach some florist's wire or a hook to the top of the circle so it can be hung.

Step 7: Place mistletoe in the centre of your kissing bough and hang apples and cinnamon evenly around the 4 quarters of the circle.

Step 8: Traditionally candles would have been used to light up the Kissing Bough but if you consider this to be unsafe, you can always use decorative fairy lights or similar Christmas lighting.

Step 9: You should now hang the Kissing Bough to your ceiling. If you are using mistletoe, it was traditional to greet your guests underneath with a kiss. Additionally, a second Kissing Bough was usually hung in the corner of the room and Christmas presents placed underneath. When gifts were exchanged, the giver and receiver would kiss under the Bough.

Tip 1: Replace the apples and cinnamon sticks with baubles and add tinsel to the greenery if you prefer.

Tip 2: The mistletoe can be replaced with a star if you would rather not have to kiss your guests!

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