Create a Kissing Bough

Kissing Boughs are a tradition which is over a thousand years old. The traditional form is now only seen in Derbyshire, England, as they have largely been superseded by the Christmas tree. (Some Derbyshire Kissing Boughs are hundreds of years old.

However, they are beautiful, unusual and very easy to make, and provide a festive welcome to any home.

To make a traditional, Derbyshire Kissing Bough:

Materials

Coathanger wire or equivalent

Florists wire

Red crepe paper

Strings of tinsel

Ivy, sprigs of holly and other festive greenery

Mistletoe (optional)

Christmas baubles

Decorative lights (Optional)

Equipment

Sharp scissors

Pliers

Method

First, get some wire. The type of wire used in metal coathangers is ideal. If you are using coathanger wire, you need 4 coathangers, straightened.

Take half the wire, and form into a circle. (Join the ends by twisting the wire together with pliers.)

Then divide the other half into two. Lay these two pieces across each other to make a cross. Then join the ends of the cross to the circle of wire. The end result should look like a half globe.

Bind all the wires with strips of red crepe paper.

Wind the tinsel, ivy and holly round the wire until all the wire is covered.

Now attach some florist's wire to the crossing point at the North Pole of the covered globe. Make a hanging hook to attach the Kissing Bough to your ceiling. Leave enough wire inside the globe to hang mistletoe (if used), and a cross or star if used in place of mistletoe.

Then hang Christmas baubles, equally spaced, from the equator of the globe. If you want to add decorative lights, you can do.

Then hang the end result from your hall or porch ceiling.

Traditionally, mistletoe was hung from the centre of the Kissing Bough, so that guests to the house were kissed underneath the mistletoe in greeting. (Hence the name, Kissing Bough)

Another Kissing Bough was hung in a corner of the main room, with the Christmas presents underneath it. Then givers and recipients kissed on exchange of gifts.