What Is a Christmas Pickle? This Is What Seeing a Pickle in a Christmas Tree Means
Updated: Mar. 19, 2024
What in the world is a Christmas pickle? Here's the meaning of this Christmas food ornament, plus how it got on the tree in the first place.
My German grandmother taught me all I needed to know about cooking and our heritage, including how to make sauerkraut, homemade smoked sausage and perfect spritz cookies. But she never told me about the Christmas pickle.
What is a Christmas pickle?
I found out about this elusive gherkin a few years ago at a holiday party when guests were challenged to find the pickle in the Christmas tree. The first partygoer to spot it won a prize. Others seemed to understand this task and got right to it, but I was confused.
I was told hiding a pickle ornament (die Weihnachtsgurke) in the tree was an old German tradition. The first child to find it on Christmas morning receives a special gift and is blessed with good luck. Because my family takes great pride in our German customs—we’ve tipped a few at Oktoberfest—I was surprised I had never heard of such a thing! So I decided to investigate. What I found might surprise you.
Is the Christmas pickle really a German tradition?
According to a 2016 New York Times article, the YouGov polling agency surveyed more than 2,000 native Germans about whether they had ever heard of hanging die Weihnachtsgurke on their tannenbaums, and a whopping 91% said no. If the Germans don’t know about it, where did it come from?
This Is Where the Christmas Pickle Tradition May Come From
I unearthed a couple of possible sources:
Source No. 1: A Medieval Tale from Michigan
The first legend is often told in the Berrien Springs, Michigan, area, also known as “The Pickle Capital of the World.” Two Spanish boys were kidnapped by an evil innkeeper, who stuffed them into a pickle barrel. St. Nicholas happened by and rescued the lads. Granted, this is a harrowing-turned-heartwarming tale, but Germans celebrate St. Nick’s on December 6 (the tree’s not supposed to be up yet). And what do kids in a pickle barrel have to do with a pickle in a tree? I’m not buying it.
Source No. 2: Civil War Drama in Georgia
The second possible origin involved a captured Civil War soldier in Georgia. Dying, he begged the prison guards for a pickle. They obliged. The soldier regained his strength and eventually found his way home. Each year, he hung a pickle on his Christmas tree in thanks for his good fortune. This tale has a happy ending, but who has to eat a pickle as their dying wish? OK, maybe it might be one of my final wishes, but only if it was this classic bread-and-butter recipe. Regardless, it seems unlikely that others would hear this story and be so moved to hang real pickles on their trees. Would you do that?
So what is the truth behind the Christmas pickle tradition?
I did find a connection between these stories and pickle ornament sales. Both of these legends started to gain traction in the 1880s, right around the time F.W. Woolworth Co. stores started selling imported German glass ornaments in the United States, some in the shapes of fruits and vegetables. Maybe savvy sales reps made up stories to sell excess pickles? Could be. We may never know.
How to Carry Out the Christmas Pickle Tradition
I hope my investigation doesn’t leave you salty. Kids still love the tradition, and we should keep it going. So if you have a pickle, hide it in your tree. And if die Weihnachtsgurke is new to you, hang one up and feel free to spin your own yarn. After all, fun family traditions, no matter what the source, create treasured memories to last a lifetime.
All this pickle talk making you hungry? Find out which pickle brands we love and which ones made us sour.
Pair This Tradition with a Batch of Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies
Cherry SnowballsA juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
Cardamom SpritzAs far back as I remember, I have loved cardamom. My grandmother often added the spice to her baked goods. I usually make these cookies with a spritz press—and camel disk—that I found at a thrift shop. It reminds me of a time when I rode a camel in the desert while deployed with the Navy. Of course, any design will do! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Gingerbread Cutout CookiesOur two boys linger around the kitchen when these homemade gingerbread cookies are baking. I make this gingerbread cookie recipe throughout the year using a variety of cookie cutters. —Christy Thelan, Kellogg, Iowa
Jam-Filled Wreaths & HeartsI make these beautiful wreath-shaped cookies with jewel-red centers every Christmas. The dusting of powdered sugar gives them a snowy look. My mother cut the recipe out of a newspaper some 30 years ago. —Monica Wilson, Pomona, New York
Grandma Krause's Coconut CookiesWhen my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
Semisweet Chocolate Pinwheel CookiesChocolate and vanilla provide a delightful contrast in their flavor and appearance. —Nancy Arevalo, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Crisp Sugar CookiesMy grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends. —Evelyn Poteet, Hancock, Maryland
Date Swirl CookiesMy granddaughter nicknamed my mother Cookie Grandma because she made wonderful cookies—including these crisp and chewy treats. —Donna Grace, Clancy, Montana
Butterscotch Gingerbread CookiesEvery time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
Pinwheels and CheckerboardsMy mom used to make these cookies every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful...and you can get two kinds of cookies from one dough! They're perfect for including in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
Double-Dipped Shortbread CookiesMy mom and her friend did a lot of cookie swaps together. They were always finding new recipes to share, including this one. There's something about a dipped cookie that makes it seem so special, so we usually save these for the holidays. —Ginger King, Big Bear Lake, California
Secret Kiss CookiesHere's a recipe that's literally sealed with a "kiss." This cookie's bound to tickle any sweet tooth. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Chocolate Fruit N Nut CookiesFilled with fruit, nuts, chocolate and loads of flavor, these traditional Italian treats hit the spot. We enjoy them at Christmas with a hot beverage.
German Christmas CookiesThis little spice cookie tastes very European and is similar to Pfeffernüsse or “peppernut.” We make ours with cozy spices, anise flavoring, almonds and candied citron. —Carole Mueller, Florissant, Missouri
Mexican Chocolate Sugar CrispsMy grandma loved these so much, she would hide them from my grandpa! I think of her every time I make a batch. Like Mexican spice? Try stirring in a little chili powder. —Michele Lovio, Thousand Oaks, California
Gingerbread Cookies with Buttercream IcingWhen it’s time to start the cookie-baking season, this recipe always kicks off the festivities. My mother-in-law first shared it with me, but it’s too good to keep to myself! You can tint the buttery gingerbread cookie icing a cheery pink or green and pipe it on with a decorating tip. —Ann Scherzer, Anacortes, Washington
Berry-Cream Cookie SnapsMy mom and I made up this recipe by combining two others. These cute cookies are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy inside. You could also bake the cookies flat and serve the filling as a cookie dip if you'd like. —Crystal Briddick, Colfax, Illinois
Mint Chocolate WafersMy grandmother gave me a cookbook stuffed with recipes. This is a slight twist on one of the first—and best—recipes I made from the book. It's best to store these in the refrigerator. —Mary Murphy, Evansville, Indiana
TorcettiOur Sicilian grandmother often had my sister and me roll out the dough for these tasty torcetti. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good without being overly sweet. —Joy Quici, Upland, California
Glazed Strawberry CookiesI learned to bake with my grandmother and mother. I knew I was giving them a sweet new family tradition when I shared this recipe with them. —Andrea Zulauf, Livonia, New York
Santa Claus Sugar CookiesI've used this recipe for almost 40 years and love it because it's a little different than most. My mom always made Santa cookies, and we'd put them into little clear bags tied with ribbon to hang on the tree.—Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
Grandma's Polish CookiesThis traditional khruchiki recipe has been handed down through my mother's side from my great-grandmother. As a child, it was my job to loop the end of each cookie through its hole. —Sherine Elise Gilmour, Brooklyn, New York
No-Bake Christmas Wreath CookiesCornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet, no-bake Christmas wreath cookies. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they’re a pretty addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grossmutter’s PeppernutsBefore Christmas, my grandmother would bake peppernuts and store them until the big day. When we came home from school, the whole house would smell like anise and we knew the holiday season was about to begin. —Marilyn Kutzli, Clinton, Iowa
