Pickles, The Elf

Ever wonder why there are so many pickle ornaments around Christmastime? If so, listen up! Legend has it that there’s a German tradition where families hide a pickle ornament on their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. then the first person to find the ornament on Christmas morning, wins the right to open the first gift of Christmas.

Now you can celebrate this tradition in your own home (even if you’re not German!). Hide this cute and playful ornament of Pickles (Santa’s most mischievous elf) on your tree this year.

He loves to hide and kids love to find him!

Look for Pickles, in the coordinating storybook and ornaments set Where’s Pickles? It’s a delightful Christmas tale that reminds us about the gift of true friends.

But wait! There’s more! Here are a bunch of other fun ideas on how Pickles can help you count down the days to Santa’s magic day. (Located on the flap on the package.)

1. Find the pickle…Get a Prize!

Every day, Mom or Dad hides Pickles, in a new place and lets the kids find him. Whoever finds Pickles gets a small surprise (a piece of candy, a quarter, maybe even just a hug!) Find creative places to hide him – in a shoe, in a drawer, in the dog food. But he might get slimed! That’s okay…he’s washable and safe for dogs and kids!

2. Pickle it Forward!

At the end of the day, the family picks the person who did the nicest thing that day to keep Pickles until the next night. Maybe receiving Pickles brings a special benefit – you don’t have to clear the table, or you get one flavor from each family member – be creative and come up with lots of fun benefits!

3. Hide-and-Seek!

Whoever finds him gets to hide him the next day. It’s all about the fun of playing hide-and-seek!

4. Pickle it Forward! #2

Whoever has Pickles picks one person in the family and tries to do some secret nice thing for the person during the day. At the end of the day, he or she hides Pickles under the person’s pillow. Keep it a secret! Don’t let anyone know it’s you!

Use one of these fun ideas, or come up with your own! Maybe you can try a different one each week leading up to Christmas!