Romance Meets Tradition
For Day 11, I'm excited to share a charming kissing ball with a fascinating history! This slide-together design is constructed from 12 flower-petal shaped pieces, each featuring five carefully placed slits. When assembled, these petals interlock to form a perfect sphere that's then adorned with delicate pine needle foliage and bright red berries at the center. The result is an enchanting four inch kissing ball that captures centuries of holiday tradition.
The Rich History of the Kissing Ball
The kissing ball has a wonderful journey through history that spans nearly a millennium!
Medieval Origins: The tradition began in medieval times with "holy boughs"—spheres made of evergreen branches that held small figures of the baby Jesus at their center. These were hung in homes and churches as symbols of blessing and divine protection during the Christmas season.
Tudor Transformation: During the Tudor period in England (1485-1603), the tradition evolved as these evergreen spheres became more decorative and began incorporating mistletoe, the plant associated with peace, love, and reconciliation in ancient folklore.
Victorian Romance: The Victorian era (1837-1901) transformed the kissing ball into the romantic tradition we recognize today. Victorian kissing balls, also called "kissing boughs," were elaborate affairs—decorated spheres adorned with evergreens, mistletoe, ribbons, and aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary. They were hung over doorways, and the custom dictated that anyone caught standing beneath one could be kissed!
The Victorians added a playful twist: the sphere was decorated with berries (often from the mistletoe itself), and each kiss required plucking one berry. Once all the berries were gone, the kissing privilege ended for that particular ball—adding an element of friendly competition to holiday gatherings!
Modern Revival: Today, kissing balls have been revived as charming Christmas decorations that honor this rich heritage. They symbolize goodwill, affection, and the joy of togetherness—making them perfect for the holiday season, whether or not you follow the traditional kissing custom!
What You'll Need
Materials:
- Green cardstock for the flower petal structure and pine needle foliage
- Red cardstock for the berries
- Rope or ribbon for the hanger
- Glue dots or craft glue for attaching embellishments
Equipment:
- Electronic cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut)
Cut Files
Choose the file that matches your machine:
- Silhouette users: Download the .Studio file [link to file]
- Cricut users: Download the SVG file [link to file]
Quick tip for SVG users: The design extends beyond the initial viewable area, so just zoom out to see the complete pattern.
Assembly Instructions
Creating this kissing ball is surprisingly simple and deeply satisfying! Here's how to bring this tradition to life:
- Cut all pieces from your cardstock—12 flower petal pieces for the sphere, plus pine needle foliage and red berries
- Assemble the sphere: Begin sliding the 12 petal pieces together through their slits. Eleven pieces are identical, while one has a hole in the center
- Add the hanger: Thread your rope or ribbon through the hole in the special center piece and tie a secure knot. This piece should be positioned at the top of your ball
- Apply a drop of glue at the triangular intersections: so that the slices do not shift after assembly.
- Create the foliage clusters: Slide a red berry into the center of each pine needle foliage piece
- Attach the decorations: Use glue dots to attach the pine needle foliage (with berries) around the sphere. Space them evenly at the center of the petal pieces for a balanced, full look
Display tip: Hang your kissing ball in a doorway for the traditional romantic effect, display it on your Christmas tree, or suspend it from a light fixture as a charming focal point!
This kissing ball brings centuries of tradition, romance, and holiday spirit into your home. Whether you embrace the kissing custom or simply admire its beauty and history, it's a meaningful decoration that celebrates togetherness and affection. Come back tomorrow for Day 12—the grand finale of our festive countdown! 💚❤️✨
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