This is how it accurately translates, the Christmas Cucumber (= Weihnachtsgurke). Outside of Germany it may be known as (it's just a guess!)
Christmas Pickle and looks like this.
About seven years ago this madness began. I want to stress that until then nobody - except vegetable lovers - would hang a cucumber in their Christmas tree. They tell you that it is a German tradition and we all do it, let me assure you we don't.
I found a really good website that summarizes the whole story. I link it
here! and show you the interesting parts of the entry.
"A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year."
I have to admit that this is a cute story but St. Nikolaus doesn't show up on Christmas Eve, he arrives on the 5th or the 6th of December. Contrary to the UK or the US children in Germany unwrap their presents on Christmas Eve, and we dress up for this occasion.
The story behind the Christmas Pickle is often told as follows.
"A descendent of a soldier who fought in the American Civil War, John Lower (Hans Lower), born in Bavaria in 1842, wrote to tell about a family story that had to do with a Christmas pickle. According to family lore, “John Lower was captured and sent to prison in Andersonville, Georgia. ...In poor health and starving, he begged a guard for just one pickle before he died. The guard took pity on him and found a pickle for John Lower. According to family legend, John said that the pickle—by the grace of God—gave him the mental and physical strength to live on. Once he was reunited with his family he began a tradition of hiding a pickle on the Christmas tree. The first person who found the pickle on Christmas morning would be blessed with a year of good fortune.”
Don't get me wrong if you're happy hanging your Christmas Pickle in your tree - DO IT! But please, trust the Germans who don't do that, it's not a tradition.
Have a wonderful fourth Advent Sunday!