It set the record for the highest debut for a Christmas song in Billboard Hot 100 history.

Bieber first premiered the song live on the My World Tour on October 6, 2011, at Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"[10] A Rolling Stone writer commented that "The song basically sounds like a laid-back Jack Johnson number with a bit of overdubbed sleigh bells."

The song presents the maturation of Bieber's voice, with RJ Cubarrubia of Billboard writing that he sounded "smooth and intimate.

"[6] Lamb said "This track marks a distinct move toward a more adult sound on the part of 17 year old Justin Bieber.

"[10] The song, which includes subtle "Christmas flourishes" in the background arrangement,[10] opens up with jingle bells before an instrumental of guitar and bongos come in.

"[6] However he said "Bieber's breezy crooning and flat lyrics make 'Mistletoe' come off like an uninspiring, Jason Mraz-esque holiday track.

"[11] Wieselman said "You can't deny the appeal of America's tween dream du jour dropping a track where he asks the listeners to 'kiss me underneath the mistletoe.'

"[11] In 2021, Rolling Stone placed "Mistletoe" at number 17 on its list of the worst Christmas songs of all time.

[15] As of November 25, 2016, "Mistletoe" is fourth on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in SoundScan history, with total sales of 1,100,000 downloads.

[24] He additionally performed the song on the UK ITV Christmas special This is Justin Bieber which aired on December 10, 2011, with featured guest Tinie Tempah.