The History of the Christmas Pickle Ornament Tradition
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Have you ever gone Christmas shopping and wondered why there are so many pickle ornaments for sale? Well, believe it or not, there is a reason they’re everywhere around the holidays (and it’s not just because people really love pickles!). These shiny glass pieces of decor are Christmas pickle ornaments, and they’ve become a surprisingly popular holiday staple. But unlike your favorite Santa Claus tree trimming or personalized ornament, these little pickle adornments aren’t just there to look cute. There’s a whole Christmas pickle ornament tradition and game behind them… And a pretty fuzzy backstory, too!
In fact, ask around and you might hear a few very different explanations for how the Christmas pickle came to be. Depending on who’s telling the story, its origins involve everything from an old European custom to a Civil War soldier.
So why exactly are people hanging pickles on their Christmas trees and why is it such a big dill? Below, we break down the history of the ornament, the rules of the game, and how it all works—plus, some adorable Christmas pickle ornaments you can shop right now so you can play the Christmas game in your own home this year.
What is the history of the Christmas pickle ornament?
One of the most common origin stories is that these pickles are an old German tradition dating from the 19th century. Legend has it that a man, John Lower (also spelled Hans Lauer), was imprisoned in Germany and only given a pickle as food. He survived and when he was freed, he credited the pickle with saving his life. After he came home, he began making pickles himself, and created the first Christmas pickle ornament.
There’s also a medieval tale involving two Spanish boys traveling home from boarding school for the holidays. In this story, an evil innkeeper locks the boys in a pickle barrel. Luckily, St. Nicholas stops by the inn that very night and saved the boys’ lives.
The most promising origin story? There’s historical evidence that the pickle ornament was created by the American F. W. Woolworth Company in the late 1800’s to promote German glass ornaments in U.S. stores—a marketing tactic that’s still working 200 years later. And truth be told, the pickle tradition is actually more popular in the U.S. than it even is in Germany! While we don’t know the exact history, the lore is always pretty fun to discuss.
What are the rules of the Christmas pickle tradition?
Before everyone gathers around the Christmas tree to open presents, one person will hide a pickle ornament somewhere on the tree, likely deep within the branches to make it a bit tricky. Then, everyone else does their best to find the pickle hidden in the tree, using only their eyes (no shaking or touching the branches allowed!). Whoever finds it first wins.
What does the winner of the Christmas pickle get?
It depends on your household! Traditionally, the person who finds it might get an extra present or some sort of special treat. Some people believe that whoever finds it will have good luck for the upcoming year. There’s no set rules here so choose your own prize (bragging rights will do!).
Fun Pickle Ornaments to Shop
Lucky for us, there are so many fun pickle ornaments to choose from. Pick yours and relish the fun!
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Erica Finamore
Erica Finamore is a writer and editor with more than ten years of experience telling stories about homes, travel, food, and everyday living. Most recently, she was the Home & Travel Director at Real Simple, where she shaped design features, curated gift guides, and helped bring the brand’s annual showhouse to life. She’s also worked with HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine, and InStyle. When she’s not writing about inspiring spaces or dreamy destinations, she’s probably out walking her dachshund, Leslie Knope, or scrolling Facebook Marketplace for vintage art finds.
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