If you’ve ever stumbled across a shiny green pickle tucked between pine needles and ornaments, you’ve likely encountered one of the most peculiar Christmas traditions around: the Christmas pickle.
According to the story, it's an old German custom—on Christmas Eve, a glass pickle ornament is hidden deep in the boughs of the Christmas tree. On Christmas morning, the first child to find the pickle receives an extra gift or a dose of good luck for the coming year.
But here’s the twist: most Germans have never heard of it. 🥒
So… Where Did It Come From?
The origins of the Christmas pickle are murky at best, but here are the three most common theories:
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The “German Tradition” Myth
In the late 1800s, American stores began importing whimsical hand-blown glass ornaments from Lauscha, Germany—shapes like fruits, nuts, and vegetables (including pickles). To help sell the stranger ones, retailers may have invented the backstory of a traditional German custom. Over time, that story stuck and began to feel… well, traditional. -
The Civil War Soldier Tale
One American legend tells of a Bavarian-born Union soldier named John C. Lower, who was captured during the Civil War and nearly starved in a prison camp. On Christmas Eve, he begged a guard for just one pickle—and claimed it gave him the strength to survive. After the war, he began hiding a pickle in the family Christmas tree to honour that moment. It’s a touching story, though it remains unverified. -
The Saint Nicholas Legend (The Slightly Gruesome One)
In a darker twist, some connect the pickle tradition to an old European folktale where St. Nicholas rescued two boys who had been trapped in a barrel of pickles by a wicked innkeeper. Yikes. Not exactly the cozy Christmas vibe we’re going for.
A Tradition That’s Become Real
Despite its likely American roots, the Christmas pickle has found its way into homes across North America among families who love adding a bit of whimsy to their holiday traditions.
Whether you believe in the folklore or just like the silliness of it all, the Christmas pickle reminds us that not all holiday traditions have to be serious. Some just make us smile, laugh, and race our siblings to the tree.
And really, isn’t that what makes Christmas magical?
Want to Start Your Own Pickle Tradition?
We carry a small collection of beautiful vintage-style pickle ornaments in the shop—just in case you're inspired to start hiding one in your own tree.