Win for Pickle Farmers: The crop that gets the spotlight on the Christmas tree

Pickle Ornament.jpg

Photo via Wikipedia Commons

Have you ever heard of the Christmas tree pickle? It is a tradition that recently came onto the map for families around the world.

What is the Christmas pickle tradition?

The Christmas pickle is hidden on somewhere on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, whoever finds the pickle gets a prize of some sort! This prize could be in the form of money, they get to open the first present, or plain good luck will come your way!

Where did the tradition come from?

There are several theories, but none are proven true. Though the most popular theory is that a captured Union army soldier was starving in a prison camp. On Christmas Eve, he begged the guard for a pickle before he died. The guard gave him one and it essentially saved his life. When the soldier returned home, he began the tradition of hanging a pickle on his family’s Christmas tree each year!

Whether you hang a pickle on your tree or not, data shows that Americans love their pickles! Americans eat more than 9 pounds of pickles a year. Michigan and North Carolina lead the nation in pickle production.

Story via Jennifer McClellan with USA Today

Related Stories
Meet Judi Whittaker, a fourth-generation farmer and dedicated advocate for agriculture, and the New York Farm Bureau’s 2024 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award Winner.
Nathan Lawrence is an 11th grader at Breckenridge High School in Michigan, where he participates in FFA. Let’s hear the buzz about his sweet SAE!

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
The affable and unassuming international singing star Daniel O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s best known performers – from Australia to Alaska.
Dailey & Vincent are BACK ON RFD-TV for another great season, brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms. Join them as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests!
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD-TV! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles produced on location at music festivals from around the country.
For more than 20 years on the air during its original run, HEE HAW did more than simply make people laugh; it made an unforgettable mark on country music and became an American Institution.
First introduced to RFD-TV on Larry’s Country Diner, The Malpass Brothers, modern day troubadours, bring you their very own, brand-new show to RFD-TV. Viewers can enjoy traditional country music from the brother duo of Chris & Taylor Malpass, a featured celebrity guest on each episode, and loads of clever humor.