The romantic energy about at Christmas really can't be denied. Your every Christmas may not be romantic, but romance is there to be had, just around every corner. Christmas lights and candles, yummy wine and delicious treats, romantic holiday music, and mistletoe.

When I was younger, I used to dream about being kissed under the mistletoe. And truth be told, I still do. There's just something about that cluster of green leaves and white berries hanging so sprightly, with its promise of kisses to come. I'll never forget the first time I visited my parents in Texas and there was real mistletoe, growing in their trees! "It's a nuisance," my mom said. But I knew the truth. Romance was hanging right there in their yard.

I guess my fascination with mistletoe comes from reading Christmas stories and from songs like, "Holly Jolly Christmas" (Burl Ives) and my personal fav, "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" (Randy Travis). I used to dream of getting an unexpected kiss from a sexy crush, or a romantic kiss from my lover. I used to spend time before parties planning my escape if approached by someone I did *not* want to kiss. Yes, I've given mistletoe a lot of thought and lots of opportunity for romance over the years.

Sadly, though, I don't have a wonderfully romantic mistletoe story to share. I used to hang it every year, but if I ever got kissed under it, it was always by a less romantic boyfriend in response to my request. This year, I simply didn't have any to hang, but if I had come across it, you can be sure I would have brought some home. Hunky Actor Boyfriend is far away, but perhaps a sprig of mistletoe would have added some romance to my Christmas party for everyone else.

Since I don't have a good one, tell me, do you have a mistletoe story to share? Romantic or bah humbug, any and all mistletoe experiences are welcome here. Do you hang it up; do you believe it's romantic?

Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe?

Contributing editor Liz Rizzo also blogs at Everyday Goddess.