History of Christmas Pickles
From LoveToKnow Christmas
If you're looking for a fun new holiday tradition, you may want to consider learning more about the history of Christmas pickles.
About Christmas Pickles
The Christmas pickle is not an actual pickle, it is simply a Christmas ornament that is shaped like a pickle. The ornament is hidden on a family's Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, all of the children in the house take turns looking for the pickle ornament and the child who finds the Christmas pickle receives an extra present for his or her good work.
Today, parents love this tradition because it encourages children to take the time to appreciate all of the beautiful ornaments on the Christmas tree. Instead of simply rushing to open their presents, they spend time talking about the unique history of all the holiday decorations.
A Brief History of Christmas Pickles
While finding the Christmas pickle is certainly an enjoyable holiday ritual, nobody seems to know exactly where this tradition began.
Although it is commonly stated that the Christmas pickle tradition began in Germany, it is interesting to note that the German St. Nick arrives on the 5th or 6th of December and German children open their presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning. Additionally, many Germans say they have never heard of this custom.
An alternate theory regarding the history of Christmas pickles attributes the custom to Civil War solider John Lower. After being captured and sent to prison in Andersonville, Georgia, his health took a turn for the worse. As he was starving and near death, he begged the prison guard for one pickle before he died. The guard took pity on him, giving Mr. Lower a pickle that he later claimed gave him the physical and mental strength to continue living. When he returned to his family after the war, Mr. Lower began hiding a pickle on the Christmas tree to bring fortune and good luck to the one who found it on Christmas morning.
Today, Berrien Springs, Michigan, calls itself the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World. This town celebrates with a Christmas Pickle Festival held in early December and a parade led by a Grand Dillmeister, who gives the visitors fresh pickles.
However, the local residents who promote this Christmas Pickle Festival claim the tradition originated when two Spanish boys traveling home from boarding school for the holidays were stuffed into a pickle barrel by a mean innkeeper and later freed when St. Nicholas took pity on them and tapped the barrel with his staff.
Buying a Christmas Pickle Ornament
If learning about the history of Christmas pickles has inspired you to incorporate this fun tradition into your own holiday celebration, you can buy a pickle ornament from one of the following Web sites:
- The German Christmas Market offers a large glass pickle ornament.
- Lin Mar Treasures has a pickle ornament that's perfect for a smaller tree.
- Oriental Trading Company has a set of Christmas pickle ornaments that come with cards describing this fun holiday tradition. Keep one for yourself and give the rest as gifts for family and friends.
If you're feeling crafty and would like to create your own handmade pickle ornament for your Christmas tree, check out the following links:
- Mumble Jumble has instructions for making a handmade knitted Christmas pickle ornament.
- Free Crochet Patterns shows you how to crochet your very own Christmas pickle.
- The Pickle Ornament has a craft kit children can use to make their own whimsical Christmas pickle.
Christmas Pickle Recipe
In some families, the Christmas pickle tradition is taken a step further by serving pickles at the holiday meal. If you're looking for a great Christmas pickle recipe, Recipe Land describes how to make pickles with red food coloring and cinnamon sticks.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 3,773 times. This page was last modified 18:59, 27 October 2009.
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