Crossword Genius

Bunch up at Christmas, hoping for a kiss? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mistletoe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bunch up at christmas' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'hoping for a kiss?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'for' could be 'to' (eg both can mean 'in the opinion of') and 'to' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mistletoe that I've seen before include "Something to stand under when kissing?" , "Christmas kissing plant" , "Plant used as Christmas decoration" , "it may get you a few smackers" , "Evergreen Christmas decoration" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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