Why do people kiss under mistletoe?

Answer 1

Because kissing is fun! Seriously, check this out:

We are all familiar with at least a portion of the mysterious mistletoe's story: namely, that a lot of kissing under the mistletoe has been going on for ages. Few, however, realize that mistletoe's botanical story earns it the classification of "parasite." Fewer still are privy to the convoluted history behind the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. And its literary history is a forgotten footnote for all but the most scholarly.


Here were kept up the old games of hoodman blind, shoe the wild mare, hot cockles, steal the white loaf, bob apple, and snap dragon; the Yule-clog and Christmas candle were regularly burnt, and the mistletoe with its white berries hung up, to the imminent peril of all the pretty housemaids.
So Washington Irving, in "Christmas Eve," relates the typical festivities surrounding the Twelve Days of Christmas, including kissing under the mistletoe (Washington Irving, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent).

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/winterlandscaping1/a/mistletoe.htm if you want to read more!

Answer 2

Apparantly, the this is because of the story of baldur who died of mistletoe poisening and frigg (the goddess of love) brought him back to life by removing the poisen with her tears. She then kissed anyone who came under the mistletoe out of gratitude and happiness. for more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur

Answer 3

Because, it's tradition!

Answer 4

Because if they stood over it---it may get crushed.......