mistletoe

World’s largest mistletoe at Heathrow Airport

Air Travel, Fun Stuff,

Happy Thanksgiving!

While you were fretting about getting a gut-busting meal on the table, the folks at Heathrow Airport were busy putting up the world’s largest sprig of mistletoe in Terminal 5.

HEATHROW MISTLETOE

The super-sprig is ten feet by eight-feet, is suspended less than 10 feet from the floor,  and “was created to enable the one million passengers expected to fly through Terminal 5 in December the chance to share a truly memorable moment with their loved ones.”

Sweet, right?

But what if you’re not traveling through Terminal 5?

Don’t fret: there’s going to be giant mistletoe in every terminal at Heathrow.

So kiss away!!!

kissing kids

Have a moment to muse over mistletoe?  The folks at BAA sent along this list of 10 things you may not know about mistletoe.

Note:  If you’re worried about eating too much on Thanksgiving, check out #7: a one-minute smooch burns off 26 calories.

1. The custom of kissing under mistletoe is said to have originated in Scandinavia, where the plant is seen as a symbol of peace and harmony.
2. There are over a thousand mistletoe species worldwide.
3. The Romans also believed mistletoe had peace-making powers. When enemies met beneath it, they apparently threw down their weapons.
4. Tradition dictates that girls who refuse to be kissed under the mistletoe will remain old maids.
5. Mistletoe lives on trees and has no roots of its own.
6. Although the mistletoe is considered to be the seed of love, the common name of the plant is derived from the ancient belief that mistletoe grew from bird droppings.
7. Kissing under the mistletoe could be a good way to compensate for eating too many mince pies – scientists have calculated the average person burns off 26 calories in a one-minute smooch.
8. Mistletoe appeared on the British 47p stamp in 2002.
9. It was also the subject of Cliff Richard’s 99th single, ‘Mistletoe and Wine’, which spent four weeks at number one and became the best-selling single of 1988 in the UK.
10. Mistletoe leaves and young twigs are used by herbalists for treating circulatory and respiratory system problems.