Christmas is here again. The festive season brings cheer and joy, but also brings busyness and stress. There’s so much to do, putting up lights, pulling out bins of Christmas décor, decorating a tree, shopping, photos with Santa, wrapping presents, sending cards, attending parties, preparing meals, the list goes on. Even in the age of Amazon, Highway 98 West can feel like a madhouse as people fight the traffic and red lights to search for last-minute Christmas presents. Yet amidst the modern busyness of the Christmas season, quaint and humble traditions remain. For hundreds of years, oranges have been a popular Christmas present.
Christmas oranges evoke a sense of nostalgia and serve as a reminder of simpler times. The tradition of gifting oranges can be traced at least back to the 19th century as a symbol of goodwill and generosity. In Victorian England, oranges were a rare and luxurious treat, especially in a cold climate where fresh fruits were hard to come by. Most oranges had to be imported from warmer parts of Europe, mainly Italy and Spain. Before the invention of refrigerators and year-round fruit availability, an orange was a rare gift that could symbolize both wealth and thoughtfulness.
When the Great Depression hit, oranges became seen by many people as an affordable splurge that could be justified at Christmas. For children, receiving an orange in their Christmas stocking was akin to receiving a special treasure. It was something to savor, share and remember.
Oranges are humble gifts compared to many of the extravagant presents we often give today. The orange has deep historical roots in Christmas celebrations. For centuries, the fruit has been associated with Christmas stockings, bringing a touch of sweetness and a bit of citrus cheer during some of the shortest, darkest and coldest days of the year. As a kid, I fondly remember churches and non-profit organizations selling oranges in December as a fundraiser. I also remember getting an orange in the bottom of my stocking every Christmas. Of course, oranges weren’t the only thing stuffed in my stocking. I would usually get candy (a mix of peppermint, chocolate and hard candy), fireworks (bottle rockets and sparklers) to light on New Years Eve, and mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts and almonds).
It is easy to see how giving an orange could be a symbol of charity, warmth and light during the dark and cold holiday season. In some traditions, the practice of giving oranges at Christmas was given a religious symbolism. For some Christians, the orange’s bright color symbolized the light of Christ, while its round shape represented eternity. In these traditions, oranges became not only an edible gift, but one with deeper meaning.
Today, the tradition of giving oranges for Christmas may not carry the same weight as it did in earlier times, but it persists, often as part of a nostalgic celebration. Whether tucked into a Christmas stocking or shared as part of a Christmas morning breakfast, the orange remains a reminder of simpler times when even the smallest gestures held great meaning.
In a world of hyper-materialism and hyper-consumerism, it’s worth remembering that sometimes great gifts come in small, simple packages. The humble orange, with its vibrant color and citrus taste, is a sweet slice of Christmas history — a symbol of generosity, warmth, and a reminder that the true spirit of the season lies not in the grandeur of the gift but in the joy of giving.
As you gather with your family this Christmas season, consider reviving this old tradition. Place an orange in the bottom of a stocking, share one with a friend or enjoy one with your morning coffee. In a world that often moves too fast, the simple act of gifting an orange can slow us down and remind us of the true sweetness of the season.
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Keith Ball is a local attorney and a lifelong resident of the Friendly City.
