In a pickle or more like a pickle in…
Do you play the ‘German’ pickle game at Christmas?
You know, when you hide the pickle ornament in the tree & the person who finds it gets an extra gift or at least the bragging rights.
There is some controversy as to whether this is really a traditional yuletide game from Germany. Apparently many Germans don’t know of it, there is a legend of a Civil War solider starting it, and another about some boys ending up in a pickle barrel only to be rescued by Santa.
But does it really matter?
How ever the game got its start, it is a simple & fun addition to Christmas.
We are German, my husband 100%, but he did not grow up with the game. I have a suspicion that this game is American made, maybe by an ornament company that had some odd shaped green ornaments left over.
The origin of the game will just be one of life’s little mysteries.
Christmas Eve, when anticipation is high, is a great time to play.
Get a pickle ornament, tuck it deep in the tree.
I have rule, you can only search with your eyes. No moving the branches.
Hey, I am not going to risk the Shiny Brites crashing to the floor in the fervor of searching for the pickle!
A note on the pickle ~ size matters.
While a baby gherkin sized ornament might be fun to hide, it may never be found.
There was one year when we only found the pickle after the tree was carted outside in January.
Can’t remember who hid it that year, maybe lay off the egg nog if you are the hider!
A mid sized pickle ornament is perfect. Don’t bother with sets of pickle ornaments, unless you are giving them out individually as gifts. You only need one.
If you don’t have a Christmas pickle ornament this year, there is still time to pick one up, or get one on sale next week!
Hoping all you have to do before Christmas is hide a pickle, but I have a feeling it is a lot more!
** Kelly **
Linking up at Shabby Art Boutique
We have a Christmas pickle, too! I”m having girlfriends over for dinner tonight. I’ll have to challenge them to find the pickle for a prize!
Oh that will be fun with your girl friends Paula! Have a wonderful Christmas! x
I am German and did not here of the pickle game until I was almost 50. We were given a pickle ornament and it is now a tradition but the same determined guy finds it every year. It usually involves laying under the tree and looking up. Perhaps one of the tiny pickles would be a nice trick for next years tree. Off to pick up one daughter from the airport and then to finally wrap the gifts. Merry Christmas Kelly !
Yes, you need a tiny pickle Kathi! Merry Christmas to you & yours!!
True, this is definitely NOT a German tradition. None of us ever heard of it. A few years ago this “German traditon” came to Germany from the USA. But it is nice and a friend gave us a pickle. It’s hanging in the tree, but we don’t play the game, because we have different Christmas traditions. Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas with the game, wherever it comes from!
Hello Georgia! What part of Germany are you from? My husband’s parents immigrated here shortly before he was born. His first language is German. We share in many German traditions too. Such as Oma still puts real candles on her tree. Scares me a bit, but it is lovely!! So glad you found My Soulful Home! Merry Merry to you & yours!
Kelly, we play this game every year! We have a $5.00 prize and bragging rights! So much fun! You pictures are GORGEOUS!!!!! Pinning.
Merry Christmas dear friend!!! Lots of love! xoxo
Isn’t it fun Yvonne! Thank you for your compliment about my photos. Capturing the essence of a pickle was a challenge! hahaha…
Love that Christmas pickle tradition!…Merry Christmas to you and your family Kelly!!
Kelly, I’ve never seen a pickle ornament or heard of this Christmas game before, but it sounds like such fun. Maybe I can start an Aussie version of it next year with a koala ornament. Thanks for sharing this game at Shabbilicious Friday.
Happy new Year.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne xx
We have been playing the Pickle game for 7 years. My kids love the game and look forward to the hunt. I don’t put the pickle on the tree till after the gifs are opened. It can get tricky putting the pickle on the tree. The only problem is someone is always upset when they don’t find it. I do try to give gestures to the looser from the year befor. The help doesn’t always work. All in all it’s fun!
It is fun…and I am sure the seekers, but not finders might be a bit down. But there is always next year! Thanks for coming by…