To those telling Sam about all the previous Rebbes:
There is no reason to assume they were familiar with Christian customs.
Sam,
Darkei Emorei shouldn’t be a problem, since it is not done as a superstition. As long as people think the reason is a Zecher to the Maftei’ach Parnasa or to the Ness of the Noda Biyehuda or a Minhag Avoseinu from Pas Palter (first time I heared of that one — haven’t seen it, but it’s cute and charming), it isn’t Darkei Emori. Besides, the Chida writes that we don’t add anything to that category.
Chukos Hagoyim is even less of an issue. There is no Chiyuv to learn the history of every culture. The Issur is to follow their custom. We are following only our own custom, which is not an exact copy of theirs, anyhow.
Given the above, and the merits of following a Minhag Yisroel, I joined the rest of this large chunk of Klal Yisroel in making a Schlissel Challa, and enjoyed discussing the reasons for it. And now, thanks to HolyMoe, I have another one to say over.