You’ve probably seen it. Nestled deep within the prickly pine needles of a decorated spruce, there is a small, bumpy, glass ornament. It’s green. It’s distinctly brine-shaped. It’s a pickle.
The Christmas pickle tradition is one of those weird, quirky holiday customs that feels like it has existed forever, yet nobody can quite agree on where it actually came from. If you grew up in a household that did this, you know the drill. On Christmas Eve, someone—usually the parents—hides the pickle ornament deep in the branches of the tree. Because it’s green, it blends in perfectly. On Christmas morning, the first child to find the pickle gets a special extra gift or the honor of opening the first present of the day. Some families even say it guarantees a year of good luck.
But here’s the thing: most people think it’s an ancient German custom. It’s not.
Where the Christmas Pickle Tradition Actually Started
If you go to Germany and ask about the Weihnachtsgurke, you’ll mostly get blank stares. Seriously. A 2016 survey by YouGov found that 91% of Germans had never even heard of the Christmas pickle. It’s a bit of a shocker for Americans who were told for decades that they were honoring their Bavarian roots by squinting at a tree for twenty minutes.
So, where did it come from?
The most likely story is actually much more "Business 101" than "Folk Legend." Back in the late 19th century, F.W. Woolworth began importing glass ornaments from Germany. These were made by glassblowers in Lauscha, a town famous for its delicate craftsmanship. They made everything: stars, fruits, nuts, and, yes, vegetables. It’s widely believed that Woolworth’s marketing department—or perhaps a clever salesman—needed a way to sell the less-popular vegetable shapes. They invented the story of the "ancient German tradition" to give the pickle ornament some soul. It worked. By the 1890s, these glass pickles were a staple in American department stores.
The Civil War Theory (And Why It’s Probably a Tall Tale)
There is a more dramatic version of the story involving a man named John Lower. As the legend goes, Lower was a Bavarian-born soldier in the American Civil War. He was captured and sent to the Andersonville prison camp, where he became terribly ill. On Christmas Eve, starving and near death, he begged a guard for one last thing: a pickle.
The guard took pity on him and gave him the pickle. Lower claimed the sour snack gave him the mental and physical strength to pull through. When he finally returned home, he began hiding a pickle in his tree every year to commemorate his survival.
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It’s a great story. It really is. But historians are skeptical. There isn’t much evidence to back it up beyond family lore, and the timing of when glass ornaments actually became available in the U.S. suggests the Woolworth marketing theory is much more grounded in reality.
The Berrien Springs Connection
Even if the tradition isn't German, it’s definitely real in Michigan. Specifically, Berrien Springs. This small town declared itself the "Christmas Pickle Capital of the World."
They used to host a massive festival in December, complete with a parade led by the Grand Dillmeister. They leaned into the absurdity of it. While the festival eventually slowed down, the town remains the spiritual home of the Christmas pickle tradition in the United States. It’s a testament to how we can take a commercial invention and turn it into genuine community culture.
Why We Still Do It
Why does this even matter? Why do we keep hiding glass vegetables in our living rooms?
Honestly, it’s because holiday mornings are chaotic. We’ve all seen the videos of kids tearing through wrapping paper in thirty seconds flat. It’s a whirlwind of cardboard and tape. The pickle slows things down. It creates a game. It forces everyone to actually look at the tree and engage with each other before the frenzy of the "main event" begins.
It also levels the playing field. In many families, the "pickle gift" isn't a massive, expensive item. It’s often something small or just the bragging rights of being the "winner" for the year.
Ways People Play the Game Today
The rules aren't written in stone. You've got options.
- The Early Bird: The pickle is hidden on Christmas Eve, and the first person to find it on Christmas morning wins.
- The Staggered Start: Parents hide the pickle after the "big" gifts are open to prolong the excitement.
- The Adult Version: Some families hide the pickle and the winner gets to skip doing the holiday dishes. That’s a high-stakes game.
Making the Tradition Your Own
If you’re looking to start the Christmas pickle tradition this year, don't overthink the "authenticity" of it. The fact that it’s a bit of a marketing myth doesn't make the memories any less real.
Go out and find a glass pickle ornament. You can find them at almost any craft store or online. Look for one that’s a darker shade of green if you want to make the game harder—bright neon pickles are too easy to spot.
Steps for a successful pickle hunt:
- Placement is everything. Don't just hang it on the outer edge. Shove it deep into the interior of the tree, near the trunk.
- Mind the lighting. If your tree has heavy LED lights, the glass might catch a reflection. Use the shadows to your advantage.
- Define the prize. Whether it’s a $5 gift card, a special ornament, or the right to choose the first movie of the day, make sure there’s a reward.
- Keep it fair. If you have kids of vastly different ages, you might want to have two pickles—a "junior" one that’s easier to find and a "pro" one for the older kids.
The Christmas pickle is a reminder that traditions don't have to be hundreds of years old to be meaningful. Sometimes, a weird story and a piece of green glass are all you need to create a little extra magic on a cold December morning.
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Next Steps for Your Holiday Season:
Pick up a high-quality glass pickle ornament—hand-blown versions from Lauscha are still available and hold their value as collectibles. Before Christmas Eve, decide on a "Pickle Prize" that doesn't involve a screen; something like a "get out of chores free" card or a special treat usually works best to keep the focus on the fun rather than the gift. Finally, when you hide it, make sure you do it after the kids are in bed so there’s no "inside info" on the location.