DECEMBER 5

A number of years ago I heard about the German tradition of hanging the green pickle in the Christmas tree.  So I asked for the pickle for Christmas, receive one and we have hung it in the tree for years.  I hide the pickle and when we have guests for dinner or the family in for Christmas I have them find the pickle and whoever finds it first receives a gift.  I try to make the gifts either silly and fun or as in the case this year I gave a bag of Truffles.  In either case, I do not make it an expensive gift.