Would it surprise you to find a pickle hanging on your Christmas tree? Another German tradition focuses on one German-Russian dinner staple – the dill pickle.
The Christmas Pickle Naturally, you wouldn't hang a real pickle on your tree for obvious reasons. And, because of its color, the glass pickle disappeared within the branches of a pine tree. It was hung very last. On Christmas morning, the children would rush to the tree, looking for the ornament. The child who finds the ornament receives a special gift. The silver pinecone tradition was carried to this country by German immigrants until after the 1920s. It then became a pleasant Christmas memory. The Silver Pinecone Pinecones are one of those intriguing, gotta-pick-a-few-up natural decorations at Christmas time. Pinecones are abundant and come in all sizes, from tiny to giant high-mountain cones, depending on where they grow. Sometimes noted as a symbol of eternity on a tree, pinecones remind us of God’s love for us and the offer of eternal life. Pinecone ornaments, like pickles for your tree, were made of blown glass by German artisans. I prefer the real ones. Here is one German legend about the pinecone. As with the pickle, the story begins with a mother who in this story is picking up pinecones for her fireplace. While filling her basket, an elf asked, “Why are you stealing my pinecones?” The mother explained her situation and the need for fuel for the fireplace. “Put my pinecones back,” the elf said, pointing to an older section of the forest. “Pinecones are more abundant over there." So the mother emptied her basket and made her way even farther from her home, hoping to return before dark. Stopping to rest at the foot of a tree, the woman had to shield herself from the pinecones falling to the ground. The elf was right, the pinecones were larger and more abundant. She quickly filled her basket and headed home. Tired from the long walk, she placed the basket of pinecones next to the fireplace and fell asleep in her rocking chair. In the morning, she found the pinecones were shining with a bright silver light. Upon further inspection, she discovered the pinecones had turned to real silver. She will always be able to provide anything for her children from this Christmas forward. Because of this legend, placing a silver pinecone on your mantel or hanging from a tree is supposed to bring good luck in the coming year.
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