If there's one thing that unites the countries that celebrate Christmas, it's the typical traditions of the period, which in most cases have become rituals that are repeated every year and in which, it goes without saying , food is very often the protagonist. The Christmas pickle is no exception, a gherkin-shaped decoration hidden among the branches of the Christmas tree: the first person to discover it on the morning of December 25th – usually a child – will receive a prize, as well as guaranteeing themselves a lucky year. Where are we? In the United States, but even if we were to ask a citizen of the stars and stripes why this custom began, they would hardly be able to give a clear answer. Let's see why.
The (Commercial) Origin of The Tradition
What is a Christmas ball resembling a bright pickled gherkin doing in American homes among spicy gingerbread cookies and delicious candy canes? There are several legends about it: among the most widespread are that of the soldier who, during the American Civil War (1861-1865), managed to avoid starvation by eating a pickle on Christmas Eve, and that of Saint Nicholas who saved two children trapped in a barrel of pickles. The belief that has held sway for decades, however, is that it was an ancient German tradition imported to the United States by immigrants and that over time became increasingly rooted in families overseas.
In reality, the most historically clear evidence has disappointed those who thought it was a ritual originating from "old" Europe, with all its centuries-old charm that was instead replaced by a studied marketing strategy. That's right: the Christmas pickle was nothing more than a publicity stunt by American merchants who in the 19th century imported glass Christmas decorations from Germany, including the “German Christmas Pickles”, and who, in order to sell them, invented this Teutonic family tradition which, however, no one in their homeland knew about, simply because it didn't exist.
Why Are Christmas Pickles Hidden in The Tree?
While the Christmas pickle itself isn't tied to a truly legendary and mysterious tradition, finding a hidden "lucky charm" is at the heart of many European customs that fall within the Christmas season, especially given the close proximity of the New Year. Just think of the English Christmas pudding, which contains a small silver coin. A small coin is also present in vasilopita, the Greek New Year's cake, and in the Spanish Roscón de Reyes, the Epiphany cake. Stylized figurines of the Three Kings also appear. In France, the Befana elects her "king for a day" thanks to a sugared almond, an almond, or a small object secretly placed inside the Galette de Rois.
The gherkin-shaped decoration follows the same logic: it is placed on the tree in advance and on Christmas Day people go "hunting" for it: being the first to pick it means receiving a special gift – which perhaps is then shared with everyone – or being the first to unwrap the presents, as well as having some advantage in terms of good luck for the following 12 months.
;Resize,width=767;)
