Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe & Christmas Around The Fire (2 Book Set)

• Definitive guide to holiday traditions
• From the famed author of Drinking with the Saints
• History of Christmas and the customs surrounding the holy day
• Christmas Around The Fire: Stories, Essays, and Poems For The Season Of Christ's Birth
• Makes a very thoughtful Christmas gift for a family member or special friend

Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe

From the famed author of international bestseller Drinking with the Saints, every Christmas tradition explained and celebrated, as well as a glimpse into all the sometimes macabre and always fascinating nooks and crannies of the holiday. Deepen your knowledge of and love for Christmas!

The definitive guide to every question you’ve had about the Christmas holiday—and many more you’ve never thought to ask!

In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

Witty, imaginative, and wholly unique, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the stocking stuffer that will be revisited every year.

Christmas Around The Fire

Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Jesus with family and friends, to gather together in sacred and jovial celebration of the Incarnation. Yet in our fast-paced, hyper-digitized lives, we are losing the sense of a good story, among good friends, around a good fire.
In Christmas Around the Fire, Ryan Topping invites us to turn off the television set, put down the device, quiet ourselves, and gather our loved ones to enjoy some of the best writing, in a variety of forms, about Christmas. Whether or not your family has an actual fireplace around which to gather is not so important, but it helps!
Included within are entries from legendary novelists and poets such as Leo Tolstoy, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Willa Cather, and more, as well as the profound thoughts of great religious figures such as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Pope Saint John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI.
For those who love the true spirit of the “most wonderful time of the year”, and who love reading in almost equal measure, Christmas Around the Fire will quickly become a family tradition. This is one of  those rarest of books, one around which family memories are made.

© Copyright 2025 Trinity Road LLC/The Catholic Company

Satisfaction Guaranteed

The Catholic Company is committed to your complete satisfaction. For over 27 years, we have proudly served our customers by offering meaningful, high-quality Catholic products that inspire and support your faith journey.

Our Promise to You:

• We stand behind every product we sell with a commitment to your happiness. If you are not satisfied, we’ll work with you to make it right.
• 30-Day Return Policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days of purchase. Simply reach out to our dedicated customer service team to initiate your return.
• Guardian Angel Protection: Choose this optional coverage at checkout, and if your item is lost, damaged, or stolen, we’ve got you covered.

Your satisfaction and trust are important to us. Contact us by email, phone, or live chat for assistance with any order, and rest assured—we’re here to help. Thank you for choosing The Catholic Company to be part of your faith journey.

Questions?

For more details on returns, exchanges, or to start a return, our friendly customer service team is ready to assist.