Epcot Pickle Ornament Story

[Glencora]

Okay, here's my theory on the pickle tradition: the whole thing was started by German Jews who decided to assimilate and convert. They hid the pickle, which represented their former lives as Jews, in the Christamas tree, which represented their new lives as Christians. I mean, what's more Jewish than a good dill pickle?

This explains a) how the tradition was associated with Germans and b) why a pickle?

Anyone got a better explanation?

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

In a way it might have been one of the earliest viral marketing schemes in history?

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Yeah Flossbolna! My point exactly !

...And Glencora...Great theory....Probably was a "Kosher Dill"

so glad to see folks take this on as a "Study in progress"....I guess no one will ever know!

Disney Authentic Pickle Hugs to All,

Mary

PS: Our Friend from Berlin will be back next week - I can't wait to show him this thread....

 

[floridianer]

Yeah Flossbolna! My point exactly !

...And Glencora...Great theory....Probably was a "Kosher Dill"

so glad to see folks take this on as a "Study in progress"....I guess no one will ever know!

Disney Authentic Pickle Hugs to All,

Mary

PS: Our Friend from Berlin will be back next week - I can't wait to show him this thread....

Study in progress

I work in Germany for Exibition and Event Companies and I couldn´t stand it

I asked a LOT of people from ALL OVER germany yesterday about this "tradition".
This was probably around 30 or so!

Guess what...

I didn´t expect that, but there was a nice oldely lady from Berlin Area who knew about this (so this might be an indicator for the Polish-Border-Theory

All others had no clou what I was talking about BUT

they ALL liked the story and told me they would search the net for it...

 

[Loopner]

We love to hide our pickle ornament! I think it's great that they sell them in Germany in EPCOT.

 

[Flossbolna]

Yeah Flossbolna! My point exactly !

...And Glencora...Great theory....Probably was a "Kosher Dill"

so glad to see folks take this on as a "Study in progress"....I guess no one will ever know!

Disney Authentic Pickle Hugs to All,

Mary

PS: Our Friend from Berlin will be back next week - I can't wait to show him this thread....

Mary, I love your sign offs! But I am not so sure of a pickle hug, might be a bit wet...

I am not so convinced of the Jewish conection, pickles are extremely common in Germany, I think they are a staple of Central European food. And I find the type of food that is considered Jewish food in the US to be largely Central European food, of course with the kosher aspect added. Still you can tell that most Jewish immigrants were from Germany and Poland.

Study in progress

I work in Germany for Exibition and Event Companies and I couldn´t stand it

I asked a LOT of people from ALL OVER germany yesterday about this "tradition".
This was probably around 30 or so!

Guess what...

I didn´t expect that, but there was a nice oldely lady from Berlin Area who knew about this (so this might be an indicator for the Polish-Border-Theory

All others had no clou what I was talking about BUT

they ALL liked the story and told me they would search the net for it...

Funny that you started your own research project! My suspicion would be that people from Thuringia where they make those ornaments, are most likely to know this custom.

 

[Pecobill]

Okay, here's my theory on the pickle tradition: the whole thing was started by German Jews who decided to assimilate and convert. They hid the pickle, which represented their former lives as Jews, in the Christamas tree, which represented their new lives as Christians. I mean, what's more Jewish than a good dill pickle?

This explains a) how the tradition was associated with Germans and b) why a pickle?

Anyone got a better explanation?

That's just insulting

 

[Mississippianna]

I could swear I read somewhere that the pickle tradition had something to do with a guy importing a bunch of beautiful glass ornaments from Germany to the US shaped like various fruits and such, and trying to figure out a way to get Americans to buy the ornaments shaped like a pickle after he saw they weren't moving as fast as the others. Voila, you suddenly have a story to go with the pickle.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

That's just insulting

I've noticed there's been a LOT of that in this thread.

 

[newholidayx2]

My mother started the Christmas pickle with me a few years back. We didnt do it growing up. I have done it a few years with my son (now 17)
so no its not just an EpCot Germany tradition

 

[Pecobill]

I've noticed there's been a LOT of that in this thread.

Yea I know.


To everyone who says this isn't a German tradition just SHUT UP! Unless your actually German or grew up in a German area you have no room to talk.And to the guy that keeps saying he called his friends and did a research study I honestly don't believe you.I highly doubt anyone would go to those lengths to try to disprove something.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Is Octoberfest celebrated across all of Germany? No. Perhaps the pickle is also a regional tradition?

 

[Pecobill]

Is Octoberfest celebrated across all of Germany? No. Perhaps the pickle is also a regional tradition?

It's Oktoberfest

 

[Azree]

Looking back, mmtska mentioned a small shop in Pennsylvania with has a large Dutch background so it may be influenced by Dutch traditions with are often intertwined or mistaken with German traditions.

Pssst...

The "Pennsylvania Dutch" are actually the "Pennsylvania Deutsch" - they're German, not Dutch.

 

[cdepauli]

Pssst...

The "Pennsylvania Dutch" are actually the "Pennsylvania Deutsch" - they're German, not Dutch.

I was just going to post that! Yes, the Pennsylvania Dutch are German immigrants.

 

[BuzzBiteyear]

I was just going to post that! Yes, the Pennsylvania Dutch are German immigrants.

Being from Northern Indiana, I have people correct me all the time when I talk about Pennsylvania Dutch being similar to German, when speaking about the Amish language. No, no, they're Pennsylvania DUTCH, you know from the Netherlands. I just let it go, just wish the Amish would figure it out, and quit asking me Wie Gehts.

 

[Hallowishes]

ive always heard about this tradition but i havent ever seen this ornament .. is it sold year round in the germany pavillion at EPCOT ? Or just at christmas time??

 

[pixleyyy]

ive always heard about this tradition but i havent ever seen this ornament .. is it sold year round in the germany pavillion at EPCOT ? Or just at christmas time??

All the time. There is a Christmas store in Germany which has one whole tree decroated with pickles in 2 sizes and with 2 different finishes (glossy or matte). The run $10-12 each.

 

[Glencora]

That's just insulting

That's funny - my sister the rabbi thought it was pretty amusing.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

That's funny - my sister the rabbi thought it was pretty amusing.

 

[Hallowishes]

All the time. There is a Christmas store in Germany which has one whole tree decroated with pickles in 2 sizes and with 2 different finishes (glossy or matte). The run $10-12 each.

awesome! thanks so much for the info! im going to definitely be picking up a pickle ornament in january when im there!!!