Mistletoe is a timeless holiday decoration that looks good in any home aesthetic. There are a variety of ways to incorporate mistletoe in your home, but perhaps the most traditional method is to hang it in a doorway or from the ceiling. Keep reading to learn how to hang mistletoe to add Christmas magic to your home.

Why Hang Mistletoe?

Hanging mistletoe first came about as a result of a Norse myth that tells the story of Frigg, mother to Baldur. After Baldur was killed with a mistletoe arrow, some versions say that Frigg's tears turned into berries and resurrected Baldur. Frigg then proclaimed mistletoe to be a newfound symbol of peace and love to whoever passed beneath it. Celtic druids began to use mistletoe as a symbol of luck, love, and fertility to anyone who passed beneath it. Thus, the reason mistletoe became popular to hang above one's front door during the cold winter months. Fast-forward to today and mistletoe is still a popular decoration to hang on walls, in doorways, or on Christmas trees.

Tip!

But why do we kiss when we pass under mistletoe? Check out our guide to learn more about mistletoe symbolism.

How to Hang Mistletoe

When it comes to hanging up mistletoe, there are a variety of ways to go about it. Below we outline how to hang mistletoe like a pro so you can enjoy it all season long.

1. Pick a Spot

Before you do anything else you need to determine where you want to hang your mistletoe. We recommend hanging up mistletoe decorations in open doorways like the pass-through-point between your kitchen and dining room or living room. However, you can also hang mistletoe on your Christmas tree, from the stairs, or on the backs of your dining room chairs for a fun Christmas party decoration.

Tip!

Considering a mistletoe-inspired ornament? Search 'Mistletoe' in the 'Search this Category' tab to the bottom left hand side of the product page for filtered results.

2. Prepare the Mistletoe

If your mistletoe sprig already comes with a hanging string or ribbon, you can skip this step. Start by gathering your mistletoe together and arranging it in a configuration you like. You can use multiple sprigs of mistletoe to achieve the fullness you desire. Then, take a large piece of string (or decorative Christmas ribbon!) and wrap it around the stems multiple times before tying it tight. You can use the remaining string to tie a loop to hang the mistletoe, or you can run an additional piece of string between the bundled string and the mistletoe stems and tie it to create a loop.

3. Choose a Hanging Mechanism

The hanging mechanism you choose is up to you. You could use standard tape or a nail to hold the mistletoe in place. But we recommend installing a quick and simple ceiling hook on the underside of the doorway. Use a tape measure and a pencil to mark the middle of the doorway. Then, hold the hook mechanism up to the spot and use a household drill along with the hardware provided to drill the hook in place. Depending on the ceiling hook you go with, you might only need to drill a hole and screw in the hook.

Tip!

Have high ceilings? Grab a stepladder to make the process quick and seamless.

4. Hang It Up and Enjoy!

With the hard work done, hang up your mistletoe Christmas decoration for all to see. You may need to adjust the hanging length of the string to ensure you don't brush your head against it as you pass through.

Now that you know how to hang mistletoe, get browsing!