Crossword Genius

Token of affection when under mistletoe on arrival? Now! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

xmas

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

'mistletoe on arrival? now' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to time as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'token of affection when under' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'when' could be 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked') and 'as' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for xmas that I've seen before include "present time" , "annual holiday" , "Time to give" , "Christmas (informal)" , "Short celebration" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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