The world’s largest sprig of mistletoe has today been unveiled at Heathrow Terminal 5. The ten foot by eight foot structure which took designers and engineers three weeks to construct weighs 43kg and includes more than 50 feet of steel tubing and 25 stainless steel balls.
The giant mistletoe, which is suspended just three metres from the ground, 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. It is hoped that more than two million Christmas kisses will take place under the mistletoe over the coming month. To ensure no one misses out on the yuletide tradition, giant mistletoe will also be installed in each of Heathrow’s other terminals.
Christmas is always a busy time at Heathrow, and this year is no exception. The airport is anticipating almost three million passengers will fly into Heathrow in the lead up to Christmas and nearly half a million between Saturday 19 December and Thursday 24 December alone.
Mike Brown, Heathrow’s chief operating officer, said: “Heathrow is very often the place where friends and lovers are reunited at Christmas, or where people start their long journeys home to loved ones.We hope our giant mistletoe bring some added Christmas cheer and excitement to journeys taken over the festive period.”
Notes to Editors
10 Things you may not know about mistletoe:
- 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.
- There are over a thousand mistletoe species worldwide.
- The Romans also believed mistletoe had peace-making powers. When enemies met beneath it, they apparently threw down their weapons.
- Tradition dictates that girls who refuse to be kissed under the mistletoe will remain old maids.
- Mistletoe lives on trees and has no roots of its own.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mistletoe appeared on the British 47p stamp in 2002.
- 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.
- Mistletoe leaves and young twigs are used by herbalists for treating circulatory and respiratory system problems.
