Does your family have a Christmas tradition during the holiday such as a Christmas tree or outside lights? December can take on many traditions because so many are from around the world. Some people in the world celebrate the Weihnachtsgurke, or also known as the Christmas Pickle. Beginning in the 19th century in Old World Germany, people would hide a pickle ornament in their Christmas tree, and the first one to find it was told they’d receive good fortune, a reward, or be given the opportunity to open a present from under the tree first. Some may question how this tradition came to be. However, it is said that there are many theories as to why this tradition was formed.

The Christmas pickle began in Germany. During the Civil War, a captured Union Army Soldier who was starving in a prison camp was begging the guard for a pickle, supposedly on Christmas Eve. After the guard obliged his request, the pickle essentially saved his life. Once he returned home, it is said that he started a tradition to hang a pickle on his family’s tree each Christmas Eve. USAToday claims, “There are several popular theories, none of which are definitive.” As well as the “Union Army soldier” theory, there are other theories such as the “two boys and a barrel of pickles” and “the one that has to do with making money”.

In the world today, the pickle tradition is still used the same way- sometime before Christmas, parents hide the pickle in the green tree, and whenever the child finds it, they get rewarded, whether that be through a prize, opening Christmas presents first, or getting good luck.

“In December 2016, a YouGov survey found that 91 percent of Germans had never heard of the ‘Weihnachtsgurke’, let alone had one in their own homes.” Even though this is originally a German tradition, roughly 90 percent of Germans have no clue what the pickle ornament is or why it’s used.

A reporter from Hillsboro Globe decided to see how many people knew about this tradition. In the end, more people don’t know about this tradition, versus the people that do know about it. Those that know about the pickle ornament were interviewed and asked how they became aware of this tradition and how was it passed down. All answers received were vague; one said the tradition was heard from a co-worker with no other context about its background, and another said a family member of theirs had actually made a pickle ornament and celebrated it since then. When Sasha May was interviewed by Hillsboro Globe, she explained that she knows and celebrates the Christmas pickle tradition, and that it was passed down from her grandmother on her mother’s side, who is German. However, her German grandmother learned about it from an American relative on her dad’s side. Sasha May states, “I didn’t hear of or participate in the Christmas pickle tradition until my other grandmother on my dad’s side told her the German tradition.” This was interesting to hear because this statement proved the claim that “91 percent of Germans had never heard of the ‘Weihnachtsgurke,’ let alone had one in their own homes.”

During the most wonderful time of the year, people celebrate this tradition, bringing smiles and family together. Now is the time to start a new tradition with your loved ones if you haven’t already!