Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe: Christmas Traditions Explained by Michael P. Foley

 

Summary (from the publisher): From the famed author of international bestseller Drinking with the Saints, every Christmas tradition explained and celebrated, as well as a glimpse into all the sometimes macabre and always fascinating nooks and crannies of the holiday. Deepen your knowledge of and love for Christmas!

The definitive guide to every question you’ve had about the Christmas holiday—and many more you’ve never thought to ask!

In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

Witty, imaginative, and wholly unique, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the stocking stuffer that will be revisited every year.

Review: This non-fiction book methodically details numerous Christmas traditions from around the world, providing their biblical background, origins, and the way they have evolved over time until today. Foley covers a plethora of topics from the Biblical origins of Christmas, decorations, gift giving, Santa Claus, food, music, and much more. 

This was a very dry text and read almost more like an encyclopedia of Christmas facts rather than a narrative history of Christmas traditions. I went in expecting it to be more a lighthearted description and history of Christmas celebrations, but the text spent a lot of time speaking about Biblical technicalities and grounding in historical context. 

Sometimes I felt like the author tried too hard to include contemporary references. For instance, portrayals of Christmas on the show The Office were described as a modern-day interpretation of Christmas traditions. It just seemed unnecessary when this was supposed to be more a of a historical overview. 

I did learn some things from reading this book, but it was rather large in scope and reads more like a bulleted list of facts rather than a narrative history of Christmas. 

Stars: 3