“Nobody likes the tangerines.”

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Is that really true? I always liked that big bright orange that weighed down the toe of my stocking. It fit perfectly, and provided a satisfying end to the parade of tiny tissue-wrapped packages and loose chocolates. My siblings and I would take turns peeling and sharing each one as we played with our new toys and ate our candy.

Also, is this another British tradition I inexplicably grew up with, like putting milk in tea? Or do other Americans do this as well?

ETA: I asked around, and the tradition seems to be pretty universal. My father in particular, growing up in postwar Poland, treasured the bright-colored fruit at the bottom of his Christmas stocking: it was the only orange he got all year.