All around the world, you will find no shortage of unique ways to celebrate Christmas. Traditions may vary from nation to nation, or sometimes even between religious denominations. Just the same, today, many of the more conventional mainstays are largely universal and recognizable, wherever you hail from. But there are still those that maintain a certain exclusivity and charm, leading some outsiders to scratch their heads as they look on, quietly observing the somewhat foreign holiday proceedings.
Pennsylvania is a large state, rich with an abundance of novelty holiday traditions and customs. Many of these were brought to the New World by the German immigrants who settled here. Eventually, these customs became ingrained into the local cultural framework. Are you curious to learn more about some of the unique Christmas traditions that are now largely synonymous with the State of Pennsylvania? In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m taking a look into the historical origins behind seven such Christmas customs that many state residents still lovingly adhere to today.
The Upside-Down Hanging Christmas Tree
Upon visiting some Pennsylvania area homes at Christmastime, you may be surprised to find that the Christmas Tree is hanging upside-down from the ceiling. It’s a tradition dating back to the 18th century when German immigrants first settled here. Some gather that the idea of hanging the tree from the ceiling was a way to save space in small homes. But the most likely reason is that most ornaments and tree décor originally consisted of edible items, like cranberries, dried apples, etc. This was just a clever way to prevent mice from eating them. While the necessity for mounting a Christmas Tree from the ceiling may not apply today, it’s still a tradition that many families continue to uphold each year.
The Hidden Pickle
The origin story of this tradition is a bit debatable. Some say that it was inspired by a game played in Germany long ago. Others claim that it was born at Camp Sumter during the American Civil War. Most, however, agree that the tradition was likely started by an imported German glass ornament business in America.
Whatever the true origin, tradition dictates hiding a pickle/pickle ornament (weihnachtgurk) in the branches of a Christmas Tree. For the first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning, the reward would be to receive a special gift. An adult derivative is that the finder would have good luck for the rest of the year/year to come.
Today many families living in Pennsylvania and elsewhere carry on the tradition of gracing their trees with a pickle ornament. Of course, the outcome for the finder may vary from household to household.
Moravian Stars
Today, many different kinds of stars are featured in Christmas celebrations. The Moravian star, however, tends to be a little more prevalent in Pennsylvania, though. Another tradition brought over by German immigrants, the first Moravian stars, can be traced back to the Moravian Boys’ School in Niesky, Germany sometime during the 1830s. With 25 to 26 points serving as the star’s most striking feature, they were most likely originally used as a form of geometry lesson or project. The Moravian Church eventually adopted the star as an Advent symbol. In Pennsylvania, you will typically find them hung in windows, above porches, and even used as Christmas Tree toppers.
Christmas Pyramid Setups
Here is another Moravian-based tradition that was brought to Pennsylvania by immigrants hailing from northern and eastern Germany. However, the very first Moravian Christmas pyramids can be traced back to 1748 in Bethlehem.
While less famous than other traditions, for some families living in Pennsylvania (and beyond), setting up a Christmas pyramid is an important part of a home’s holiday decorations. Christmas pyramids are typically comprised of four frames and are commonly placed on table tops where they are adorned with cookies, candies, nuts, fruits, and other sweet treats.
Putting on the “Putz”
Many households, both locally and internationally, continue the tradition of setting up elaborate Christmas Village models. Originally referred to as a “putz” from the German verb putzen, which means “to clean” or “to decorate,” the custom first appeared in the homes of German-speaking immigrants in Pennsylvania. The primary focus has always been a Nativity scene, appropriately enough. Putting up a “putz” has grown more universal since the 1940s and now the villages—which still contain a Nativity—also comprise jolly people and streetscapes with bustling businesses—an overall reflection of small-town home life.
Visits From Belsnickel
From Krampus to the Befana, we’ve seen many an offshoot antithesis to Santa Claus. Some even accompany Santa on his visits as a companion, like Black Peter. But for those in the Palatinate region of Europe, the traditional servant of Saint Nicolas became known as Belsnickel. The name “Belsnickel” loosely translates to “Nicholas clad in furs,” and as you probably guessed by now, this was another tradition brought to Pennsylvania by the German and Swiss immigrants who settled here.
By some accounts, Belsnickel also brings gifts to children but is not above threatening those who misbehave with a switch. Or he may bring a “warning” gift like giving naughty children sticks while Santa gives those who were good candy. As a less jovial being than Santa, he’s also sometimes known to commit acts of vandalism at the homes he visits.
Second Christmas Celebrations
The idea of celebrating a “Second Christmas” on December 26, is surprisingly secular in nature. Just the same, it’s become a pretty big deal among many Amish communities, who tend to keep the true Christmas Day sacred and holy. They reserve the gift-giving and festive gatherings with family and friends for the day after—a Second Christmas. The custom is again German in origin with the first documented account being traced back to December 27, 1808. It was mentioned in Volksfreund, a German-language publication in Lancaster.
Amish or not, many families in the state still use the Second Christmas tradition as an extension of family dinners and other get-togethers with loved ones.
I could go on listing many other regionalized holiday traditions throughout Pennsylvania and other surrounding areas within the Mid-Atlantic. From Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, customs may vary from place to place, but all share in the commonality of being unique.