DECORATING A REGENCY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

   In 1822, when A CHRISTMAS BALL takes place, there were no Christmas trees in the parlors of London. Christmas trees were a custom that wouldn't catch on till Queen Victoria married her German cousin Albert and imported the tradition from his homeland.

It was considered unlucky to bring greenery into the house prior to Christmas Eve, but Regency folk used evergreens for that special day. The most popular decoration was a "kissing bough." It was made of ivy (to symbolize women), prickly holly (to represent men) and mistletoe (to give young men an excuse to claim a kiss!)

Each time a kiss is forfeited, the gentleman was supposed to reach up and pluck off one of the mistletoe berries. When the berries were all gone, no more kisses could be stolen.

Kisses freely given? That's another story!