Gen Z give mistletoe the kiss goodbye
For many, it is as big a part of Christmas tradition as mince pies, carols and the King’s Speech.
But for those looking forward to the fun — or thrill — of a kiss under the mistletoe this year, you may be left disappointed.
For wokery has been blamed for the festive foliage falling out of favour.
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Dubbed ‘Mr Mistletoe’, he warned just a quarter of the plants are up for grabs at Britain’s only annual mistletoe auctions in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, compared to its heyday.
He has been holding the unique sales for 47 years and expects a high-quality crop this year after the recent cold snap ripened the berries to turn white.
Mr Champion, 66, predicts around 500 lots will go under the hammer in two auctions in the self-appointed mistletoe capital of Britain tomorrow and on December 3.
But as many as 2000 lots were sold when having a smooch under a sprig was still a popular custom.
“We used to have four auctions but mistletoe sales peaked in the early ‘90s,” Mr Champion said.
“Young people aren’t interested in kissing under the mistletoe any more and the older generation who used to cut it down and bundle it up are dying off and not being replaced.
“Workers used to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas parties, but with all the wokery nowadays they would be accused of abuse.”
Auctions of mistletoe and holly collected by farmers have been held in Tenbury Wells since 1862.
Now, however, there is much higher demand for holly, said Mr Champion.
This fetches around £5 per kilo ($10), or up to £15 ($29) for golden and silver variegated varieties, compared to £3 ($6) for mistletoe.
“Holly wreaths are the one thing we see increasing demand for each year,” Mr Champion said.
“People may no longer have holly in the house as a decoration but will stick it on a front door.
“There are people who will pay £100 ($192) for a good 12 or 15 inch holly wreath from a smart farm shop or garden centre that looks impressive on their front door.”
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is thought to stem from Scandinavia, spreading in Britain in the 1700s.
But it was the normally staid Victorians who became big fans of puckering up under the plant, seen as a symbol of fertility.
