The Christmas Pickle
A Puzzling Christmas Tradition
There is a great deal of information about Christmas traditions and legends floating on the web, and in dusty tomes in the library. Most traditions have logical roots and can be traced back to the origin. I understand why my family ate Lutefisk (boiled cod) every Christmas Eve when I was a child. Our Scandinavian roots (actually it was my grandfather) seemed to require it.
I understand most Christmas traditions. I like to sing carols, decorate the house with garland, and make a million Christmas cookies. Even telling our children that a fat man in a red suit would slide down a skinny little chimney with gifts for good little children 
makes perfect sense. But the one tradition/legend that I do not understand is why anyone would hang a perfectly good pickle on their Christmas Tree.
Seems like a waste to me ...
See any Pickles?
The Pickle Legend
As far as I can tell the tradition started in Germany. The pickle was the last thing hung on the tree (probably due to the smell). In the morning the most observant child (the one that spotted the pickle first) would receive an extra gift from good 'ol Saint Nick. (Personally I don't think it was the most observant child, but the one with the best nose that usually found the pickle first.)
The adult that came up with the pickle would be blessed with good luck for the following year. Now that makes sense. Anyone with that good of nose should be able to sniff out great deals and perfect opportunities.
Oh! You didn't tell me it was a glass pickle.
(12) One Dozen Hand Blown Glass Pickle Christmas Tree Ornaments for Good Luck Trim-A-Tree Stocking Stuffer or Gift Giving
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 02/17/2012)
These beautiful hand blown glass ornaments would be a wonderful addition to your collection of ornaments. They also make great gifts. Each ornament has a copy of the "Legend of the Pickle" included with it.
Do you hide a Pickle Ornament on your Christmas tree?
I'm Still Confused
Why a pickle?
Personally I like chili peppers and tomatoes. They're brighter and certainly more festive.
Hot Red Chili Peppers
Traditions
Traditions evolve and change as we pass them from one generation to the next. While I occasionally poke fun at a tradition, I understand their importance. They are a part of the fabric that holds families and civilizations together. While my family no longer eats lutefisk on Christmas Eve, the memory still brings a smile to my face.
Have a wonderful Christmas and may you prosper in the New Year.
Lizzy Jean
Share your favorite family Christmas tradition.
What is your favorite Christmas Tradition? Is it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byChristmas Eve
Tipi says:
6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve because that's when Dad used to start the "count down" for gift opening when we were little. He would really draw it out and sometimes "forget" and get to reading the paper while we were about ready to jump out of out skin. Then, we would go to church for a candle light service that was magical.
Posted December 16, 2010
aesta1 says:
I love Christmas Eve when the family gathers for gift-giving and celebration after midnight Mass.
Posted November 11, 2010
wildflower1964 says:
Every year I give each of my sons and now my grandchildren a new Hallmark christmas ornament. They look forward to them every year. My oldest is 26 now so he has a lot. Plus on christmas eve every year I used to give them pajamas until they got older now they get a pair of christmas boxers each year.
Posted December 21, 2009
aj2008 says:
My fav Christmas eve tradition is filling the Christmas stockings - whoever sleeps in our house on Christmas Eve wakes up to a stocking at the end of their bed on Christmas morning, whether they are 8 or 80! Sometimes there's a lot of stickings!!
Posted November 13, 2009
Christmas Day
aj2008 says:
My fav Christmas Day tradition is having champagne late in the morning as we open the presents left under the tree on Christmas Eve. We have Christmas carols playing and lots of candles.
Posted November 13, 2009
Heather426 says:
Having eggnog spiced with rum and christmas music on the stereo while we open all the presents that morning...followed by a huge omelet brunch.
Posted October 25, 2009
The_Party_Animal says:
I do a hunt every year with the kids with clues so they can find their last present. They love it and look forward to it every year. That is one of my many.
Posted October 24, 2009
Christmas Traditions
The Traditions of Christmas
Amazon Price: $6.75 (as of 02/17/2012)
This beautiful book includes poems, articles, stories, paintings from the Old Masters, and breathtaking scenic views of the world in winter. Each chapter includes little-known facts about Christmas Day, customs from around the world, and traditions throughout history. This book includes an index of authors, artists, poems, songs, articles, paintings, and first lines of poems and songs.
Comments Please!
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FoxMusic
Jan 1, 2011 @ 5:31 pm | delete
- Great Lens - We've hung a christmas pickle for generations - but never a real pickle, just a pickle shaped ornament - Thanks for this fun lens
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tvyps
Dec 19, 2010 @ 1:55 am | delete
- funny stuff!
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Tipi
Dec 16, 2010 @ 9:37 am | delete
- My sisters husband is German. One year she say the Christmas pickle ornaments and gave all his brothers and sisters a pickle along with a fruit cake. Now the fruit cake they understood but none of them had ever heard about the pickle tradition! They did think it was cute and the ornaments are cute. I do agree with you though about the chili peppers and tomatoes, I like them just a little bit more. Our family had crab legs for dinner many years, sure did look forward to that.
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stargazer00
Jan 1, 2010 @ 11:03 am | delete
- Angel blessings and Happy New Year!
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Webcodes
Dec 10, 2009 @ 11:43 pm | delete
- First I heard of this.. but very interesting. Merry Christmas..coming soon. 5*.
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