Originally created by the Victorians, kissing balls are a Christmas tradition. Discover how to make your own homemade decoration with plants. Photos and words Sonya Patel Ellis; floristry by Sonya Patel Ellis and Jess Webb
Weaving aromatic herbs, everlasting flowers, symbolic foliage and berries and plant-dyed silk ribbon into a modern take on the Victorian kissing ball is a lovely way to usher seasonal nature and a little bit of festive flirtatiousness into your home alongside traditional garlands and wreaths.
While garlands, boughs and loose balls of evergreens such as holly and ivy were all popular Christmas traditions of the Middle Ages, melding Pagan folklore with Christian representations, it was the Victorians who took festive greening to new heights with towering, bejewelled Christmas trees and a new romantic notion known as the kissing ball. A symbolic and fanciful response to the sixteenth and seventeenth century Puritan backlash on all things idolatrous, these aromatic herb-laden kissing balls were hung in strategic places around the home or in supersized versions from the ceilings of ballrooms under which guests would dance and perhaps share a kiss under the incorporated mistletoe.
Back then, herbs foliage and flowers were traditionally stuck into an apple or a potato, using a ribbon around its circumference; a fun yet perishable project for décor that lasts a few days or to make with kids. To extend the experience – and hopefully the romance – across several festive weeks, author of The Heritage Herbal, Sonya Patel Ellis, explains how to update the kissing ball using foam-free floristry techniques, sustainable moss, everlasting foliage and flowers, symbolic herbs and the prettiest plant-dyed saree silk.
The holidays are a magical time of year, filled with joyful traditions, tasty treats, and festive decorations. One classic decoration that brings cheer and spreads love is the mistletoe ball. This sweet symbol of affection has graced entryways and doorframes for centuries Read on to learn how to craft a stunning mistletoe ball to add charm and romance to your holiday home
Gather Your Supplies
Making a mistletoe ball is an easy craft that requires just a few simple supplies:
- Foam ball (3-4 inches in diameter)
- Faux mistletoe stems and leaves
- Floral pins
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Wire cutters
- Green spray paint (optional)
I recommend using a foam ball between 3-4 inches in diameter as the base. You can find these cheaply at any craft store. For the best results opt for a ball with a smooth even surface.
The key ingredient is the faux mistletoe. You’ll want stems with several leaves attached. Craft stores sell these in bunches around the holidays. Choose a bunch with 15-20 stems to have plenty.
You’ll also need floral pins, a hot glue gun, ribbon, wire cutters, and scissors. Spray paint is optional for covering the foam ball if needed.
Prep the Foam Ball
If your foam ball has an uneven surface, fill any holes or dents with hot glue to create a smooth shape. If the color doesn’t match the mistletoe, spray paint it green.
Once the paint dries, it’s time to add the hanger. Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon. Tie it around the foam ball, knotting it at the top. Create a hanger loop, then secure the knot tightly to the ball with hot glue.
The ribbon should now drape along the ball, with just the top loop exposed for hanging.
Insert the Stems
Now the fun part – transforming the foam into a magical mistletoe ball!
Take a mistletoe stem. Using wire cutters, trim off the hard lower portion, leaving just the leaves and berries.
Use a floral pin to poke a hole into the foam. Apply a dot of hot glue. Insert the trimmed end of the mistletoe stem into the glue dot. Push it in gently – the glue will hold it in place.
Repeat this process, completely covering the foam ball with mistletoe stems. Place them close together to conceal any exposed foam. Work your way down toward the ribbon hanger.
Aim for even coverage, inserting stems all around the ball. Trim down any long stems that are blocking other areas.
Once the ball is covered, shape the ribbon loop into a pretty bow for hanging. And just like that, your DIY mistletoe ball is complete!
Hanging and Display Ideas
Part of the charm of a mistletoe ball is how you display it. The most classic spot is in a doorway or entryway. For romance, hang it in a high-traffic area so people pass under it frequently. Or place it over a cozy loveseat or seating area to encourage affection.
For a whimsical touch, adorn a child’s bedroom door with a mini mistletoe ball. Or hang one in the kitchen doorway for sweet smooches as family gathers.
You can also nestle your handmade mistletoe into holiday greenery on a mantle, tablescape, or tree. Try tying it to a stair rail garland for an elegant effect. Wherever you place it, this elegant craft will enhance your Christmas décor with heartwarming tradition.
Variations and Personalization
The great thing about DIY mistletoe balls is you can customize them to match your style. Here are some ideas:
- Use ribbon with a beautiful print or metallic sheen
- Incorporate pinecones, berries, and sprigs along with the mistletoe
- Make miniature versions for the tree, place settings, and tablescapes
- Shape it into a heart for extra romance
- Match the mistletoe color to your décor
- Add ornaments, bells, and charms for a festive flair
You can also turn it into fun crafts beyond the holidays. Replace the mistletoe with faux flowers for a spring wreath. Use seashells and starfish for beachy summer vibes. The possibilities are endless!
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips to craft the perfect mistletoe ball:
-
Use a sharp pair of scissors or pruners when trimming the mistletoe stems. Clean cuts will give you better coverage.
-
Work over a sheet of newspaper or trash bag to contain fallen leaves and berries.
-
Check that each stem is securely glued before inserting more. Wiggle gently to test.
-
Turn the ball as you work to evenly distribute stems for a full, round shape.
-
For a 3” ball, you’ll need about 15-20 trimmed stems. Adjust amounts as needed.
-
To cover dents or holes in the foam, squish in leftover leaf pieces.
-
For the ribbon, use wired ribbon that holds its shape. Make the hanger loop about 2-3” wide.
-
If the ball feels lightweight, cut a piece of floral foam to fit inside before adding stems.
With a little creativity and holiday spirit, you can craft a gorgeous DIY mistletoe ball to cherish for seasons to come. Display it with pride and enjoy the meaningful memories made under its boughs. Let this special piece spark joy, laughter, and love wherever it hangs.
How to make Christmas kissing balls
- Secateurs
- Gathering basket
- Wire cutters
- Floristry scissors
- Craft scissors
- Non-reactive pan and sieve (for dyeing saree silk)
The materials you need
- Chicken wire (25mm/1inch gauge holes)
- Brown floristry wire
- Sustainable sphagnum moss (sourced from a responsibly managed, local site)
- Fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, winter savory, bay, oregano and marjoram
- Everlasting or dried flowers such as strawflowers, achillea, astrantia and cornflowers
- Evergreen foliage such as eucalyptus, reindeer mimosa, holly, ivy, box and fern
- Final flourishes such as hips, haws, pink peppercorns, love-in-a-mist seedheads, feathergrass and mistletoe
- Natural twine
- Skein of undyed saree silk ribbon
- 4 avocado stones and skins (washed) or 1 cup (100g/4oz) dried elderberries
- 4 cups (1 litre/1 quart) distilled water
DIY Kissing Ball Full Version // Garden Answer
FAQ
How to make mistletoe kissing ball?
Make a dot on each of the pin heads with a black permanent marker, and wrap pins together in twos with floral tape. Wrap silk leaves around the paired pins and secure with more floral tape to create small mistletoe sprigs. Repeat to make enough sprigs for your kissing ball (we made about 35 for a 6-inch ball).
How do you make a kissing ball with mistletoe?
To create a kissing ball using real mistletoe, use a sphere made of reservoir floral foam to hold water and keep your mistletoe looking good through the holiday season. You can buy the foam already shaped into a sphere or stick blocks together with wooden dowels ($19 on Amazon) or toothpicks, then carve and shape it into a sphere.
How do you make mistletoe with a foam ball?
Hang the foam ball from the twine loop to add the mistletoe and pieces of greenery. Start at the top of the foam ball and poke the stems into the ball. Keep them close together to cover the foam ball. Keep adding stems in circles going downward until the ball is covered with greenery. Add a bow at the top of the ball, if desired.
How do you make a mistletoe sphere?
Use the long lengths of ribbon to hang the sphere from a doorway or similar structure, so you can work at a comfortable working height. Hold the sphere steady and push in the box sprigs into it, taking care to ensure you work evenly all the way round. Try to cover as much of the foam and ribbon as possible. Add the mistletoe to the sphere.
How do you cover a ball with mistletoe?
To cover the ball completely, you will need enough mistletoe to surround it, stuck in with more U-shaped lengths of wire or floral pins ($4 on Amazon) until it is completely covered. Create a ribbon hanger by affixing the bottom of the ribbon with wire to the foam and then fashioning a ribbon or bow at the top for hanging.
How do you hang a Mistletoe Ball?
This will allow the two pieces to fit together in a sort of X shape that will give the mistletoe ball depth.Punch holes for hanging, using a tiny hole punch or craft knife only on the Part A. Thread through twine, string or ribbon and fit it through the split in the stems on Part B. Use the string to hang as desired… you could even add a bow.
What can I make if I don’t use mistletoe?
If you’d rather not use mistletoe, you could try creating a Christmas miscanthus wreath, holly and ivy star, or a more traditional birch and pine Christmas wreath. Find out how to make a mistletoe and box Christmas ball in just three easy steps, below.