A Christmas Orange: The fruit of the Great Depression

While December is prime season for citrus fruit, that isn’t why oranges take center stage during the holiday season.

Several stories surround the quirky tradition of oranges in Christmas stockings.  The story of the original St. Nicholas, in the 4th century, throwing small bags of gold down a chimney, is one of the oldest to emerge. However, it’s the story with the most recent historical ties that serves as an important reminder this time of year.

In the 1930s—the height of the Great Depression—few families had the means to buy such an exotic fruit as an orange. For the lucky few who found an orange in the toe of their Christmas stocking, amazement and wonder filled their minds at how such a treasure found its way to them. For those who, unfortunately, didn’t find such a miracle on Christmas morning, the allure of oranges only grew.

The gratitude children felt for a piece of fruit that we can so easily purchase today is a great reminder to show gratitude for all that you have. Maybe that’s the reason we love the story of the Christmas Orange, the simple reminder of gratitude during a time filled with the holiday hustle and bustle. Taking time to remember this story provides a quiet moment where we can reflect and recognize all we do have, instead of what we don’t. Oh, and grab a few oranges the next time you’re in our store!