Pickled or not - the Christmas pickle game

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