Comments on: 8 Truly Strange Christmas Customs

By: Hyacinth

Hyacinth — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:17:40 +0000

I have a pickle ornament! I just thought it was so funny, so had to buy it.

By: Marshcroft

Marshcroft — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:52:07 +0000

Another great post, really enjoying the Krampus this year, but I didn’t know the birth year of Jesus was believed to be 2 years ealier, the date I knew. Apart from bringing it into line with Pagen beliefs it was also made the day to represent the Egyptian belief ( Horus ) with the Winter Solstice the 21st being the shortest day and the following 3 days after where the Sun stays the same level and finally the 25th where the sun finally rises.

By: J135

J135 — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:50:49 +0000

In France, we didn’t have stockings, when I grew up, you just left your real shoes with the tree or by the fireplace for Santa (Père Noël, rather, for which the translation is Father Christmas).

“Scientists say the actual date was June 17th, 2BC because of the appearance of the star that beckoned the Magi.”
I love that scientists have been able to determine the exact time when this star appeared, or else we would never have known precisely when these three Magi magically determined that they should follow it and bring gifts to present to the child born from a virgin, who would go on to cure blindness with his saliva, and resurect and stuff.

Scientists are really smart.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:24:30 +0000

Hey, my family TOTALLY does the Christmas pickle thing… Had no idea it was supposed to be a german tradition… and that it isn’t a “real” tradition at all.. .interesting.. still fun though.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:38:07 +0000

There is an old Icelandic tradition that anyone who doesn’t get at least one new item of clothing at Christmas is in danger of being eaten by the Black Christmas Cat.

Pretty darn festive, huh?

By: anonymous manz

anonymous manz — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:22:47 +0000

i once saw a guy dressed as krampus he hit me! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

By: sookieboo

sookieboo — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:34:49 +0000

There is also the wrens day in Ireland where locals dress up in outfits made from straw and parade around the town collecting money, which nowadays is for a charity, or used to throw a party in a barn a few days later. It is extremely popular in the south west.

it happens every 26th of december

http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/wren.html

By: annejumps

annejumps — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:52:00 +0000

Thanks, Michelle! Will do.

My dad says the pickle thing is Austrian. *still skeptical*

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:45:00 +0000

annejumps – yes I still have lots of friends living in Garmisch. email me at belled27@yahoo.com

By: Erik

Erik — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:40:00 +0000

@Jason – Gluhwein is amazing!

Sadly, I cannot remember my original source, but I also have been hoodwinked by this ‘German pickle’ mystery. I’ve worked both with Germans and in Germany, and I must say that no German that I know has ever heard of the pickle tradition.

I researched it a while back and found that it had something to do with a U.S. soldier bringing back a ‘Christmas pickle’ story after World War II.