Yesterday was my mother's birthday. We celebrated both her birthday and my sister's birthday jointly at a chain restaurant in the HC. While I try to avoid chains in favor of locally owned restaurants, this was my family's choice and this chain does serve one damn-fine margarita (dare I say perfect?).
For my sister's birthday last week, I gave her a pair of Penn State sweatpants in pink. She was a little insulted about the size I purchased for her, but after she tried them on - and they fit - I think she was a more accepting of the size I chose. The best part of the gift was this tie-dyed shirt from Grasshopper in a light pink and fuscia swirl. It was really nice and Grasshopper is a great boutique for all the Gen-Y hippies. I also searched for some not-too-expensive jewelry pieces for my sister. Grasshopper has wonderful, one-of-kind hippie jewelry. And a lot of hemp and embroidery floss pieces, perfect for my sister who is allergic to metals. I found some great "friendship" bracelets 2 for $1 - score!
For my mother I went to Glass Grower's Gallery and found a unique art piece, however, I decided to hold off on giving her that gift until Christmas, so I can't divulge more details on the gift. What I ended up giving her were two pieces from Campbell's Pottery Barn (near Edinboro, Pa.). The first gift was a pair of small earrings made a delicate metal with intricate spirals engraved.
The second gift was a green, hand-blown Christmas ornament in the shape of a pickle. I know the gift seems odd, but my mother and I have had discussions about how we need to get a pickle ornament for the tree. As we understood, this is an old German tradition. When decorating the Christmas tree, it is practice to hang the pickle ornament last, hidden among the branches. The first child on Christmas Eve to find the Christmas pickle ornament would receive an extra gift from St. Nick and/or the first adult to find the pickle would have good luck for the year.
However, as luck would have it, I was searching the internet the day before her birthday and wouldn't you know it ... Germans have never heard of this tradition. "SAY WHAT?! You gotta be kindin!" I thought to myself.
While my family is "German," we have never really embraced our heritage (the main reason for my desire to have this ornament). According to my untimely research, anyone familiar with German Christmas customs can see the flaws in this "legend." First of all, the German St. Nick doesn't show up on Christmas Eve - he arrives on the 5th or 6th of December. Nor do German children open their presents on Christmas morning - that happens on Christmas Eve in Germany.
Alas, I had to give this present to my mother despite my findings. ... good thing I included the gift receipt.
Does anyone have a pickle on their Christmas tree? Has anyone heard of this tradition? Am I just a crazy American desperate for some customs?
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
16 hours ago
2 comments:
NO, you are not crazy...Though I do not have a pickle for my tree, my grandmother did and it was passed on to the eldest grandchild.
Great to hear that you shopped locally. Don't you just love Glass Grower's Gallery. One of my favorite shops. Though I haven't been there in months[mainly to avoid the inevitable purchase as I find it terribly difficult to resist buying things there!lol]
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
I have a pickle on my Christmas tree too! Though my family is German, we never had one growing up. I heard of it a few years ago and decided to get one for our tree. Whoever spots it first during the Christmas gathering gets a little treat (chocolate bar or something). It's fun, even if it's not authentic.
Post a Comment