The custom of hanging mistletoe kissing balls during the holidays is the culmination and blending of several cultural traditions over thousands of years. The one thing it has always had in common is a sense of coming together during the winter holidays to share love and kinship. Let’s keep the tradition rolling, shall we?
For more traditional decor, check out Yule Log Decorations.
Our Review
If you’re all in for glitter, this beautiful kissing ball from Ganz is where you want to be.
It features plastic greenery and red mistletoe berries. Gold glitter makes this a festive, glitzy decoration. The mistletoe branches extend out from the ball in spots giving it a more realistic and rustic look.
Gold organza ribbon provides a loop to hang your kissing ball and also decorates the top of ball. This type of ribbon will need to get fluffed out a bit after shipping. At seven inches in diameter, this is a nice size kissing ball. Ganz also offers a similar style eight inch kissing ball if you’re looking for something more dramatic.
Our Review
If you really liked the look of the felted mistletoe but don’t have the cash to throw down for the kissing ball, consider this felted mistletoe spring.
The felted leaves are two tones of green and even have details like the veins of leaves visible in the wool. The white berries are attached to a central brown “branch” and the whole thing has a wire center so you can bend and pose it to the position you like.
The leaves have glitter so you get the best of both worlds: felt and sparkles. It has a twine-colored loop for hanging and a deep red bow at the top of the spring. The whole thing is 12 inches long and about six inches across. This would work great against a wall too as it’s much flatter than the others.
Our Review
If you like the look of very dense, full greenery this one is for you.
The mistletoe ornament is seven inches in diameter and so packed artificial leaves it looks like a bush. It has such a greener, more verdant look that the other kissing balls on here.
There are little plastic white berries tucked in among the leaves but they aren’t as prominent as in other balls. It includes a bright red ribbon for easy hanging.
Our Review
Why have a kissing ball if you can have a kissing crystal?
This mistletoe decoration has gold glitter-covered plastic mistletoe leaves with red berries covered in red glitter–all perched on top of an acrylic crystal. The crystal is cut like a diamond so it will reflect sunlight.
It’s smaller than the others on here with a 4.5-inch diameter at its widest. That’s a good size if space is limited or you’re looking for something more discreet but still elegant. Because of the crystal, this one is heavier so if you have little children who might be able to grab at this, just keep in mind that this is much harder and heavier than others.
Our Review
Real mistletoe is lovely but it’s poisonous and can’t be reused. This realistic hanging branch has everything you need without the downsides.
The 10-inch long sprig has soft, silk leaves with realistic stem patterns and even buds. It’s studded with white berries with their characteristic black dot which many mistletoe decorations miss.
It’s suspended by a rustic jute wrap with a loop for hanging. Just keep in mind that the hanger is in addition to the branch’s 10-inch length so it’s a little over a foot long in total.
Our Review
This ball from holiday giant Kurt Adler is made from lovely artificial mistletoe leaves and a hanging jingle bell to stand out from the rest.
The mistletoe has lovely detail on it including veining on the leaves and lots of white berries. It includes a bright red ribbon for simple hanging and that same ribbon runs through the center of the ball and holds a jingle bell at the end. I like the bell in that it’s a fun way to get someone’s attention that you’re under the mistletoe in case they haven’t noticed.
Our Review
This has a very different look to it if you want something besides the very traditional mistletoe look.
Mistletoe has both red and white berries and this ball makes use of those very holiday colors with accents of gold glitter-covered artificial mistletoe leaves separating the colors of berries. The result is festive and unique.
It’s about four inches in diameter and comes with a red plaid ribbon for hanging.
Our Review
This kissing ball is made of realistic artificial mistletoe frosted for a glittering icy look.
The white berries have their signature black dot, a detail that less realistic pieces often miss. It’s six inches across which is a perfect medium size for a kissing ball–not overwhelmingly big, but definitely noticeable. A green ribbon is attached for easy hanging.
Because you achieve that gorgeous wintry look by using glitter, you do have to expect a little bit of glitter fallout. It’s the holiday season so glitter and pine needles are pretty much unavoidable. Worth it.
Our Review
For a glamorous look, check out this Kissing Krystal by Ganz.
The artificial mistletoe leaves and white berries have been encrusted with champagne and white glittery giving it a crystalized, icy look. It’s elevated to the elegant side of Christmas as opposed to the more kid-focused bright colors.
It includes a short metallic ribbon for hanging.