Do you have a pickle for your Christmas tree yet? The pickle ornament is not only hilarious or a great gift for "sour bomb" lovers, but it is also a true family tradition in many countries, based on legends.
We have our own Christmas pickle tradition in the family as well. On Christmas Eve, when everyone is in bed, someone hides the pickle in the Christmas tree. On Christmas morning after breakfast, everyone can search for the pickle. Who finds it first? The finder receives an extra gift and gets to hide the pickle in the tree the following year.
No matter which legend the origin of the Christmas pickle comes from, we have fun with this funny Christmas ornament every year.
Legend Number One
The first legend tells the story of two Spanish boys who, while traveling the world, stayed at an inn. On Christmas Eve, the wicked innkeeper put the boys in a barrel of pickles and sealed it. That same evening, Santa Claus came to the inn, heard the boys calling, and freed them. In gratitude, they began hanging a pickle in the Christmas tree every year.
Legend Number Two
The second legend is about families who didn't have enough money to buy a Christmas present for each child. They decorated the Christmas tree with some fruits and vegetables, and on Christmas Eve, they hung a pickle as the last ornament. The next morning, the children were allowed to search for the pickle. It was quite challenging because a green pickle in a green tree was not easy to find. The one who eventually found the pickle received a small gift.
Legend Number Three
The third legend is about Hans Lauer. This German man immigrated to America and was captured as a soldier during the American Civil War. In prison, he fell ill from hunger. He asked a guard for a pickle as a meal. The guard took pity on Hans and granted his request. The pickle gave Hans so much courage, strength, and hope that he miraculously recovered. The war ended in 1880, and Hans was released and reunited with his family. Since then, as a remembrance, he hung a pickle in the Christmas tree every year.
Are you excited too? Start your own Christmas pickle tradition with this beautiful glass ornament, featuring a festive Santa hat and scarf.
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