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Looking for a fun holiday tradition to share with family, and friends? The Peppermint Pig Tradition is one you should check out, and I’ve got the details

I love holiday traditions. It doesn’t matter if it’s one you’ve been doing since you were a kid or one you plan to start this year. All that matters is it’s something you want to do and enjoy.

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Since I knew we were having Mike’s family for a visit I wanted to do something fun and special. My Mom sent us a Peppermint Pig a few Christmas’ ago when we were in Minnesota and when I saw one in a little candy shop in Lewes, DE I knew it was the perfect thing for our Christmas celebration with his family.

What is a Peppermint Pig?

I know what you’re thinking: What is a Peppermint Pig? Well it’s a solid piece of peppermint candy in the shape of a pig. It started in Saratoga Springs, NY in the 1880’s where a local candy maker wanted to make something similar to the marzipan candies children in Europe would eat. Since the pig is a Victorian holiday symbol of good health, happiness and prosperity he cast a hard candy similar to a candy cane and made it a festive pink. To this day all Peppermint Pigs are made at Saratoga Sweets.

The Peppermint Pig Tradition Explained.

The tradition is after dinner you take the pig and place it in the bag. The head of the household will then talk of the past years health, happiness and good fortunes they’ve had. Once done they will give the pig a firm tap with the hammer to break it before passing around to other family and friends who will do the same.

Once everyone has spoken and given their tap you open the bag to enjoy a piece of the delicious broken peppermint pig enjoying the warm memories and hopes of prosperity for the coming year.

The Peppermint Pig

For us it’s a tradition that reminds us how fortunate we’ve been and really allows you to reflect on all the things you’ve done, accomplished and enjoyed for the year. It also makes you happy to hear what your friends and family have done and are proud and happy of.

At the holiday things can get crazy, busy and often we focus on the New Year upon us. What I love about this is there’s no extra work involved, and the cost is affordable (about $25 for a medium size pig) to do something simple and fun after a dinner with family and friends at any time.

Does your family pass the Peppermint Pig?

Looking for other fun holiday traditions?

The Legend of the Christmas Spider

 Santa Button.

Published December 9, 2015

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