connecticut yankee
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2017
Where did hanging a pickle on the Christmas tree in America originate?
One suggested origin has been that the tradition came from Camp Sumter (Andersonville) during the American Civil War. The Bavarian-born Private John C. Lower had enlisted in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry, but was captured in April 1864 and taken to the prison camp. As the story is told, on Christmas Eve he begged a guard for a pickle while starving. The guard provided the pickle, which Lower later credited for saving his life. After returning to his family, he began a tradition of hiding a pickle on their Christmas tree each year.
Today on Christmas Eve, parents hide the ornament deep on the tree branches. The tree's pine needles camouflage the green pickle, making it especially hard to find. On Christmas morning, the first kid to find the pickle is rewarded. Some families let the person who discovered the pickle open the first present.