How the “German Christmas Pickle” Tradition Started (Spoiler: It’s Mostly American)

🥒 Is the German Christmas Pickle a Long Tradition—or a Complete Myth?

Every year, someone asks me about the Christmas Pickle. They’ve seen it in stores or heard from a friend who hides one on the tree. They wonder if it’s truly a German Christmas tradition, and they’re often a bit surprised by the answer.

I was too.

Many of us were raised to believe that tucking a shiny green glass Christmas pickle ornament into the branches of the tree was something families in Germany had done for generations. On Christmas morning, the child who found the pickle would earn a special gift or be blessed with good luck for the year ahead.

It’s a charming idea. But it turns out… most Germans have never heard of it.

A Tradition That Didn’t Cross the Ocean

Despite its popularity in North America—especially in the Midwest—there’s little evidence that the Christmas pickle ever had deep roots in Germany. A 2016 survey found that over 90% of Germans were completely unfamiliar with the tradition. In fact, the term Weihnachtsgurke (Christmas pickle) only entered the German language because Americans kept asking about it!

So where did it come from?

A Tale as Twisty as a Pickle

Some say the tradition began with a German-American soldier during the Civil War. Others point to a medieval legend involving St. Nicholas and a barrel of pickles (although it was actually a barrel of meat in the original story!). The most likely origin, however, is marketing.

In the late 1800s, Woolworth stores began importing blown glass ornaments from Germany—among them, oddly enough, were pickle shapes. When these proved difficult to sell, a clever salesperson may have invented the story of a German tradition to boost interest. It worked.

Why We Still Love the Pickle

Even if it’s not truly German, the Christmas pickle has earned a place in many holiday celebrations. It’s a playful tradition that invites laughter, adds a moment of excitement to Christmas morning, and brings a little sparkle to the tree—especially when the ornament is one of those beautifully crafted glass treasures made by artisans in Europe.

At Gingerbread World, we love traditions—both the ones we inherit and the ones we create. If you’d like to start (or continue!) this quirky holiday custom in your own home, we invite you to browse our little collection of German-style Christmas Pickle ornaments. They're beautiful, giftable, and full of good cheer:

👉 Shop the Christmas Pickle Collection

Whether your family hides a pickle on the tree or simply enjoys hearing the story, it’s a fun reminder that sometimes the best holiday moments are the ones filled with a little mystery, a little humour, and a lot of heart.

Cheers!

Tamara
Owner @ Gingerbread World