All hail the pickled onion

One of life's great mysteries is why we only eat pickled onions at Xmas time. For 11 months of the year they are largely ignored, resigned to the back of the cupboard where they suffer a slow and painful death. Towards the end of November, when the more organised amongst us begin to  plan our yuletide fayre, last years jar is often located, and subsequently discarded.   In it's place comes a shiny new jar, with crystal clear vinegar and crammed full with crunchy new onions. These make the perfect accompaniment to a cheese sandwich, or even eaten as a stand alone snack. But why only in December?. Why are they treated with the same disrespect afforded to other tasty foodstuffs like mince pies, nut assortments and mint chocolate?. I would love to find out why this is so, and whether anybody would like to join me in campaigning for year-round respect for the PO?. Please let me know and lets get the campaign started. Your life will be so much better with  pickled onions as your regular companion.