31 Days | Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle. Strange to me, but I know few people that have this tradition in their house. As I read to write this post, it seems that a true origin of the game has never been found.
One possibility was that it was a German tradition. But it was proven false. In the 1890's, glass ornaments were imported from Germany and France. Many were shaped like fruit and vegetables and were first sold at Woolworth's. A pickle was surely in the group.
Another story was that a Civil War solider was starving in a camp and begged the guard for a pickle which he was given. Once he returned home, he credited the pickle for saving his life. He began hiding a pickle on their family Christmas Tree for the children to find.
And another is a Spanish story of St. Nicholas saving two children from a barrel of pickles that belonged to an evil Inn keeper.
Regardless of where it came from, it seems that it has become fairly popular with families in American. Often, the first child to find it gets a special little prize or gift.

Is this a tradition in your family? Do you have any idea on where and why it started?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.