Follow on Bloglovin

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Christmas Pickle

What's It Wednesday #105
We all share many traditions and customs during the holiday season. We hang stockings, trim the tree and leave cookies and milk for Santa. But what about the Christmas Pickle? If you don't know already, you might want to add it to your list.

The Christmas Pickle is a tradition that originated in Germany. Parents would hide a small pickle among the branches of the tree, tucking it out of sight. On Christmas morning the first child to spot the pickle was said to receive a special blessing in the coming year, and the first present from under the tree.

I began this tradition many years ago with my daughter. With our first Christmas Pickle ornament she (and many guests that visited during the season) would delight in trying to spy the hidden pickle.

Now we continue the tradition with my little grandson. He has his own special “Giggle Pickle” that plays a hide and seek game by giving clues as he looks for the sound. It's a joy to watch his eyes light up and hear his giggles as he peeks among the branches.

Christmas pickles are becoming quite popular, so you can find them readily. His “Giggle Pickle” ornament is fro Hallmark, but this is from the dollar store. Not a bad price for so much joy. What are some traditions that you have to make the holidays special?
Hugs,
Patti

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!


Here are this Week's Features:
Bohieman Junktion

My Shabby French Life

Must Love Junk

At Home With Jemma

Celestina Marie Design

Refresh - Renew

Don't Forget to Add a Feature Button!
Ivy and Elephants


We are partying with these fine folks:
Come show off your whatchamacallits, what is its, what it once was, and "hey, look what I just did" posts. In other words, what you created, organized, designed or re-designed, found, purchased, transformed, inherited, re-purposed, renovated, are selling, or giving-away.

80 comments:

Sarah said...

I'd never heard about the Christmas pickle until a few years ago when friend shared this fun tradition. ;-)
Hope you are enjoying the season. Thanks for hosting.

Crafts a la Mode said...

Hugs right back to you, Patti, and a Merry Christmas. Linda

Our Hopeful Home said...

We have a Christmas pickle, my one daughter loves looking for it every year! Thanks for hosting and happy holidays to you and yours! xoxo Kathleen

MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOI said...

What a surprise for me while just receiving your email (it is 7.30 am here in France) I Clicked and had the pleasure to see that you featured my French home. thank you so much it's a pleasure to me to share so far away from France.
I didn't hear anything about Christmas Pickle though Germany and France are neighbours !!
Thanks again !!!
Xoxo from PARIS
………….. ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
………….. ⋯ ✰ ⋯
………….. ⋰ ⋮ ⋱
……… …….*•♥•*
…… ……. *♥♫♫♥*’.
… …….. *♥•♦♫••♥*
……… *♥☺♥☺♥☺♥*
………*♥•♥#♠*♥#♥•♥* ‘
……..*♥♫♥♥♫♥♥♫♥♫* ‘
…….*♥♥☺♥♫♥♫♥☺♥♥*’
……*♥♥♣♫♥♣♥♥♣♥♫ ♣♥♥*’
….’*♥♥♣♥♫♥♥♫♥♥♫ ♥♣♥♥*’
….*~~**~~**~***~~**~~*
….(▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓)
_____███████████
♥:♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥:

Tea Cottage Pretties said...

Hello Ladies, lovely features and how about that pickle!! How adorable for your grandson. I will drop back by once some others have posted to spread some blog love. Hugs, Beverly

Karen said...

What a sweet tradition so much fun and cute too. Thanks for hosting.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

I love your pickle tradition. I am going to go and look for one.
Thanks so much for hosting.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Mary

Sweet Woodruff said...

Our family is Austrian and I've never had a pickle. I'm thinking I should get one.

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Thanks so much for hosting, and Merry Christmas!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Thanks for hosting Patti. What a cute tradition to keep going with your grandson..Happy Tuesday..Judy

Jill Harrison said...

This Christmas pickle sounds like so much fun!
Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for hosting and inviting me to join in the fun this year.

andrea@townandprairie said...

I LOVE the Christmas pickle!! We've had one for eons. We always love the tradition of getting out all the Christmas decor. Most of our items are old and antique, so they are loved. It's exciting every year when we unwrap them out of tissue paper and set them out to enjoy for a few weeks again!

Heirloom treasures said...

I haven't heard of this custom before, it sounds like such fun for the children.
I don't think we would be able to get one in Australia though. x Merry Christmas Patti

Cindy said...

Patti you have made my Christmas, I need a Christmas Pickle. Mom has long passed away but she used to talk about the Christmas pickle and I never knew what she was going on about....I guess I was too young but I remember her voice. Now I want one, I'll look on Amazon and see if I can locate one. I love your blog post, it is so much fun, can't imagine looking inside your tree for a pickle but could use the blessing, wishing I was with you Christmas morning :-)

Unknown said...

Very interesting and informative post with beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing and hosting.

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

We've had a Christmas pickle since our girls were children, too. I've linked up another of our traditions today, our Creepy Gnome. Thanks for hosting, Patti, and have a Merry Christmas!

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

So much fun! ...never heard of it before! Thanks for hosting, Patti :) Holiday hugs from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

Candy S said...

A Christmas pickle is a wonderful tradition. I had not heard of it before either. Thank you for hosting today. Have a great week ladies.... candy

Unknown said...

Hahaha! My kids have a Christmas pickle! So silly - I love it!

Have a wonderful week, and thank you so much for the party! Julia

Curtains in My Tree said...

yes we have the pickle at our house also. It's always fun for the kids to find

beautiful features this week

Merry Christmas Girls

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

I learned about the Christmas pickle years ago and did have one at one point. I will need to rummage through some of my Christmas stuff still in the attic now that you have reminded me of this fun tradition. Thank you so much for hosting and wishing you lovely ladies a very Merry Christmas!
XO Barbara

must love junk said...

What a fun tradition! Thanks so much for featuring my home tour! Merry Christmas :)
Susan

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for hosting!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Unknown said...

never heard of Christmas pickle but sounds like such fun thanks for sharing

Shannon said...

Thank you so much for the feature of my Joy Wreath. What a fabulous surprise! I've always read about the Christmas Pickle, thought about starting it, but never did. Now my kids are to old. I'm glad your carrying it out and keeping the tradition alive. I hate when things die through newer generations.

Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com

Anonymous said...

I love the Christmas pickle and have a pickle on my tree. I got one for my daughter to put on her tree this year. Thank you for always hosting your party and Merry Christmas.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Celestina Marie said...

I love the tradition and the story of the Christmas pickle. Lovely post and thank you for the surprise of being featured.
Wishing you a wonderful week to Christmas.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

chateau chic said...

Great features this week, and thank you so much for hosting!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas,
Mary Alice

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

We don't have a pickle...maybe we need one :)

Decor To Adore said...

When we lived in Germany we gave everyone we knew a hand blown pickle ornament one year for Christmas! :)

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I think you are starting a new trend for many people! I've heard of the Christmas pickle, but haven't gotten one yet! Now I will be looking for one!

JP said...

I wish that I knew about the pickle when my girls were young...it sounds really cute!
Merry Christmas, ladies, enjoy your celebrations!
JP

Donna Wilkes said...

We have hid a pickle ornament in our tree for years. Everyone looks for it and I have a special gift for the one who finds it. I give one as a housewarming gift for people's first Christmas in their new home. Thank you for hosting.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

My son and DIL hide a pickle in their tree every year. It's a cute tradition and the children have such fun trying to find it. They also do Elfy all season long and that brings a lot of laughter into their home as well. I do love traditions! Thank you for sharing, for hosting, and for stopping by for tea.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Uniquely Ella said...

That's a great tradition for the kids, the Christmas pickle. Great feature and thanks for hosting another great party.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a new year full of blessings.
xxx
Marlene

bj said...

I've never heard of the Christmas pickle tradition, Patti. Very interesting...
I must get one for Great Grand Cate...:)
Thanks for all the beautiful features and for hosting.

xinex said...

What a neat tradition! I learned something today. I also enjoyed the great features!. Merry Christmas!...Christine

Scribbler said...

Thanks for the party -- hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!

Little Miss Maggie said...

I have never heard about the Christmas pickle, but I happen to be a proud owner of a few pickle ornaments due to the fact that our whole tree is decked out in food ornaments. I can't wait to start this tradition with my baby grandson now that I know there is a story behind it. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas holiday.

Diann said...

I picked up one from the Dollar Tree this year. It will be the first Christmas pickle I have had. My mom always has one on her tree. Thank you for hosting! :)

Victoria said...

We have a Christmas pickle that we got about 6 years ago. We were buying ornaments that we thought suited my boys personalities, my middle son is obsessed with spicy food so we bought it thinking it was a jalapeno!!! It wasn't until a couple of years later I learned about the Christmas pickle:)

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

I picked one of these up at the Dollar Tree too. My kids are pretty old for it, but I think it will be fun anyway. Thanks for hosting a great party! Have a very Merry Christmas.

Self Sagacity said...

We have a tradition with toys hidden instead. Happy Holidays.

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love the Christmas pickle tradition. Thanks so much for hosting each week. xo Laura

Unknown said...

Cute story about the Christmas pickle! Thank you so much for hosting your wonderful party.
Blessings,
Patti

Unknown said...

Cute story about the Christmas pickle! Thank you so much for hosting your wonderful party.
Blessings,
Patti

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Fun Tradition! Wishing you and your family
A Merry Christmas!!
Hugs,
Jody

Susan Freeman said...

I am familiar with that tradition and I think it is a charming one. Good for you for passing it on to your grandchild!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

A giggle pickle sounds like the most fun. Christmas is so special with little ones that have the spirit of Christmas! Thanks for hosting a fun party! Holiday hugs!

Tarnished Royalty said...

Thank you for the party! Need to get a pickle...
~Ann
Tarnished Royalty

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Thanks for the info about the Christmas pickle. Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Linda

Alessandra said...

I' ve never heard about this tradition...very nice! Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family
Kisses
Alessandra

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Thank you for explaining the Christmas pickle. I've seen it mentioned on other blogs but couldn't figure out how a pickle became part of the festivities.

Teresa said...

In Europe we have several of those traditions. We have King's Cake that has a bean inside - and who finds it must pay for the next year's Cake - and also a small token (these traditions are being abolished because of safety concerns). My Friend Anya from Denmark from Anya Adores shared a few days ago the tradition of hiding an Almond in a dessert and who finds gets a prize... now, I'm wondering what's the origins.
I love the giggling pickle. In fact I'm giggling imagining your grandson's excitement and happiness - Bless his Heart. And yours for creating these traditions that will bind him always to your heart.
Happy and Blessed Holidays for Ivy Ladies. Now I'm going to mingle - you always threw the most creative and beautiful parties.
Love,
T

Muscetta said...

Interesting story that I didn't know. Thank you for sharing and for the party. Tina

FABBY'S LIVING said...

The C'mas pickle, wow, that's so cute and funny! Lovely features. Thanks for hosting this great party and thank you for your comments, you made my day sweet lady!!! Wishing you and yours a wonderful C'mas season.
FABBY

Treat and Trick said...

Thanks for hosting another great party and for your lovely comment. Happy holidays!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Hee, hee I really think we need a giggle pickle. Speaking of pickles, have you ever had Wickles? They're pickles made here in Alabama, and when you;re in Birmingham, you need to get some to take home with you!!!

Lori Lehman said...

Thank you for hosting ladies! I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas season!

Crystal said...

Thank you for hosting! You know I've heard of the Christmas pickle ornaments for luck but I don't as yet have one. I do have a nest in my tree and that is supposed to be lucky too. :-)

Jeannie Marie said...

I always like to look and see if there is a pickle on the decorated trees of friends and family. It's a fun little game!

Chelsea @ Married Filing Jointly said...

I love the pickle tradition! I am going to have to start this with our little one!

Anonymous said...

I've had my pickle since I lived in Germany, where I learned about the tradition. Love it!

Marie Angelique

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Patti,
what a sweet tradition with this little pickle ornament. I can imagine the fun when your grandson looks for it in the tree and it giggles. Nice way to get the childs attention for the tree before they get gifts. Thank you for sharing this sweet story and for hosting this great event. I wish you and your a wonderful Christmas and a good start in a successful and healthy new Year.
Best greetings, Johanna

Warm Heart Bears said...

Hello Ladies,

I always wondered about the tradition behind the Christmas Pickle. Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas.

Bear Hugs,
Carolyn

Julie Marie said...

Hi Patti... the giggle pickle for your little grandson is too cute!... I hope you will share Christmas photos of him!... I have put pickles in our tree for years too... first, I just put one, but Jack always found it, so I decided we each needed one for extra blessings!... (and gift!)... we have a wonderful little shop close by called Edelweiss where a darling little German couple sells the most wonderful Old World ornaments... I buy a new one each year... wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!... I so enjoy your blog, and most importantly our friendship... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Where have I been all these years, I've never heard about this tradition before. Sounds like so much fun!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Merry christmas Patti and Paula,
Thank you for doing this fun party
every week, I know it takes a lot of time and effort on yall's part,
so Thanks so much.
The pickle story was cute, never
heard of it before..........
Hope you both have a Wonderful and blessed Christmas with your families.
Blessings Galore, Nellie

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

We have that same pickle as the one in the first picture. The kids and adults love searching for it! There is a special gift for the lucky pickle finder. Thanks for sharing with SYC. Have a very Merry Christmas!
hugs,
Jann

Katherines Corner said...

I love the Christmas pickle story. Lovely features too. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Wishing you a lovely weekend and a very Merry Christmas♥

One Shabby Old House said...

I hope it's not to late to find a pickle at the dollar store. I just love the idea of having the grandkids find it but mine is glass and tiny hands don't quite understand what glass does. lol Have a wonderful Christmas.
Hugs
Becky

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That sounds like a fun tradition! Merry Christmas and thanks for your visits this year! : )

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

What a fun tradition! I'd never heard about the Christmas pickle, but can see how much fun it would be.

Merry Christmas to you!

Pam

eileeninmd said...

What a cute and fun tradition. I love the Christmas Pickle ornaments. They are just adorable. Merry Christmas to you and your family! I Wish you and yours all the best in 2014!

Aimee at Refresh-Renew... said...

Love this post about Christmas traditions!!! Thank you for featuring my dining room Christmas tour! Love you beautiful blog! Merry Christmas!-aimee

Karen said...

Hi Patti,
I have just discovered your blogspot and the fun party on Wednesday after you visited me and left such kind words. I will try to link up to What's It Wednesday soon. It looks great! I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. I am a new follower! Karen

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

A friend gave us a Christmas pickle ornament YEARS ago and I had forgotten the story. So thanks!!!! Thanks for hosting every week, I look forward to the parties in the new year!!! Wishing you and your family a very Merry and blessed Christmas!!!! XO

Lee Caroline - A World of Inspiration said...

Thank you so much for leaving your lovely comments on my blog. For some odd reason none of my comments are publishing on my latest post which was Christmas inspiration. I am sorry about this, I am hoping it is just a glitch with blogger but neither using blogger publication or the email publication link is working.

I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas I realise that I have not been linking up to your weekly inspiration but will correct this after Christmas.

Lee

Palomasea said...

That is so cute!
Wishing you, dear Patti and Paula, a most blessed Christmas!
Much love,
- Irina

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

We have a Christmas pickle, but now I want a giggle pickle! That is so cute, and I can just imagine the fun that a child would have with that. Wishing you a wonderful 2014! laurie

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Ivy and Elephants
Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart ~ French Proverb ~ We are so grateful that you stopped by ~ Please visit again soon! ~ Much Love, Patricia and Paula