‘Hiding the Pickle’ Hack: Amazon Is Making It Easy to Get In on the Centuries-Old Ornament Tradition
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Some Christmas traditions are as old as the holiday itself — gift-giving, hanging stockings by the chimney with care, and attending midnight religious services if that’s your thing. Some are newer, like Elf on the Shelf or playing ridiculous reindeer games that are guaranteed to get you viral on TikTok.
But there’s one Christmas custom my family has been keeping since I was born that dates back to the 1800s — the Christmas pickle. If you’ve never heard of this tangy lore, you’re not alone. I recently mentioned it to coworkers and got looks that ranged from “you’ve lost your mind” to “should we call someone?” (Still up for debate.) But if you’re curious about the centuries-old convention that can add extra fun to your family room, here’s how the Christmas pickle can work its magic in your home. I have a feeling it might become one of your favorite holiday rituals yet — right next to leaving cookies and milk for Santa.
German Christmas Pickle Ornament Tradition
$16.95
This option is hand-made and comes with the story of the Christmas Pickle.
What is a Christmas Pickle?
No, dear reader, we’re not talking about an actual pickle. (Although that debate alone could spark a friendly feud.) The Christmas pickle is a glass ornament. Its origins are unclear: some say it dates back to 1800s Germany, while others argue it’s purely an American practice. One story tells of a German-born soldier imprisoned during the American Civil War who received a pickle to eat on Dec. 24. When he returned home, he credited the pickle with bringing him good luck and fortune and hid one on his tree every year after.
Historians debate the truth — some think it was a shady PR stunt to sell more pickle-shaped glass ornaments. A 2016 New York Times article quoted a poll that found “most Germans haven’t even heard of it.” But for my family — a mix of Irish and Italian Americans who’ve never set foot in Germany — it means one extra present for the lucky finder.
Christmas Pickle Ornament
$9.74
Order now to have it arrive in time for Christmas.
How We Do the Christmas Pickle
Every Christmas Eve, one of my parents would hide the glass pickle somewhere in the tree. The next morning, our first mission wasn’t the presents from Santa; it was to find that damn pickle. Whoever recovered the “lost” ornament got an extra gift.
With three kids, it could get, umm…intense. There was pushing, shoving, and screaming (don’t worry, that was just us). But despite the chaos, it became the highlight of the morning. Alliances formed, fits of laughter erupted, and the pickle became one of my favorite memories of childhood Christmases (that we still do to this day).
And it’s not just my family. A colleague also does the tradition with her loved ones, proving this quirky ornament has a fanbase far beyond my living room.
“Hiding the pickle is a tradition that my husband introduced me to when we were dating more than twelve years ago, rooted in his German heritage,” said Katie Ann Lehman, Client Success Manager at Penske Media. “Once he had me convinced that it would lead to a proposal. It did not. It was a necklace. It’s just always been one of those simple traditions that adds a little extra magic to Christmas morning. This year, we are introducing our kids to the tradition for the first time, now that they are old enough to truly seek and find. We’re excited for the extra fun it will bring this year.”
How to Start Your Own Christmas Pickle Tradition
Bringing a Christmas pickle into your home is easy. You can buy one on Amazon for under $20, and there’s plenty of time to hide it before Christmas Eve, thanks to Prime. The “extra gift” doesn’t have to be extravagant either — it could be a movie night, a board game, or even a cup of hot cocoa waiting for the winner.
The real fun is the family bonding that comes with the brine. Start your own pickle tradition this year, and you might just create a new holiday classic. Trust me, it’s the best Christmas ritual you probably haven’t heard of… until now.
Crochet Christmas Pickle (Set of 3)
$8.99 $11.99 25% off
Don’t trust your family around glass? No problem. Get them this cute crochet option instead.