The Peppermint Pig Tradition

Ben and Jake break the peppermint pig Christmas Eve 2009, continuing the tradition. The pig is made of hard peppermint, which tastes almost like a candy cane. Traditionally, after Christmas dinner the head of the household places the pig in a velveteen pouch and smashes it with a metal mallet. It is then passed around the table, so everyone gets a turn. Typically, each person recalls something good that happened over the last year. The first Peppermint Pigs™ were and still are only made in Saratoga County, NY, in the early 1880's. This is near where sister's family now lives, so they picked up the tradition.