Have You Heard Of The Pickle Ornament - German Christmas Tradition?
By schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
United States
December 9, 2008 2:08pm CST
I am part German however I never heard of this tradition before. Has anyone else here ever heard of the Pickle Ornament (saure Gurke, Weihnachtsgurke) tradition?
Legend holds that an ornament shaped like a pickle is a sign of good luck. Dating back to Germany, the pickle ornament was always the last one to be placed on the tree on Christmas Eve. Parents would hang the glass pickle ornament inside the boughs of a fir tree, hidden amongst other ornaments. The first child to find the pickle would receive a special gift. Why not add this fun Christmas pickle ornament tradition to your holiday?
I am just wondering if the German Pickle Ornament - Weihnachtsgurke - is a myth or a true tradtition from Germany? I have read both and am just curious if anyone has ever heard of this or followed it?
Is anyone here on myLot from Germany and can shed some light on this subject?
Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!
2 people like this
8 responses
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
13 Dec 08
Yep, I'm going to see if I can find one at a sale price since many stores already have their Christmas stuff on clearance. Gosh and it is not even but two weeks away! I remember when they never marked stuff down until AFTER Christmas!
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
9 Dec 08
I have never heard of this tradition....and I am part German...and my kids were in Germany for a while....so it would be fun to find out if it's true...and the history behind it...a pickle! LOL....you would have thought it would be something different.....but who knows....sounds like a very fun idea!
2 people like this
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
hi schulzie!
nope, i haven't heard of that. and of course, as with other practices, i don't believe in them. not even the zodiac sign. hehe
anyway, have fun this Christmas. i wish you well!
take care and God bles syou!
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
13 Dec 08
Isn't that weird that you saw it on your soap opera yesterday and then I start out a topic on it the next day? I think I am going to get one and put it on the tree. We really need some good luck in our family.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Dec 08
sounds like a wonderful idea. altho in my present house, i could not do it. my sons gf would probably pitch a fit if a grandchild messed up the tree looking for it
id try it in my own place
id try it in my own place
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
13 Dec 08
I'm part German but I have never heard of this tradtition either. It sounds pretty interesting. I have never even seen these ornaments in the stores, but I guarantee you that next time I am in a store where they sell ornaments I will be looking for one.
You learn something new every day that's for sure!
@breezie (1246)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
I am not German and have never had a pickle on my tree, but I have heard about this before. I don't think that it is a myth. It sounds like a really fun tradition to have. I checked it out online and found differnt information about it. You can even buy one here http://www.theframeworkshop.com/store.cfm?SubCatID=2&view=25 and apparently there is a book about it called The Christmas Pickle.
There was also this site which says that the whole ting is a myth http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth11.htm.
I really am not sure what is the truth, but I have heard of it before.
1 person likes this
@mandytaylor48 (374)
• United States
9 Dec 08
i have never heard of it until today i was watching days of our lives and it was alking about the piclke ornament . if it brings you good luck i needa hang a whole jar on my tree...lol
1 person likes this
