You’re not unfamiliar with nutcrackers. You hear the term and one of two things comes to mind. Depending on the weather, and the last time you slipped into some winter gear, bowls of mixed nuts next to sweeter candies at grandma’s house pop up; a crackling fire, or a five-hour video of a yule log, lighting the Christmas scene. Or someone says nutcracker and sugar plum fairies immediately dance through your head while a strong-jawed soldier and creepy rat in a crown fight close behind. You can thank Tchaikovsky for the glittery ballet images. Centuries of German tradition deserve the credit for nutcracker Christmas memories. And not to entirely toot our own horn, but you can thank us for the unique selection of nutcracker gifts that you’re about to discover.

Whether you’re looking to add to your holiday décor or a loved one’s pristine collector’s shelf could use a new face, you’ve come to the right place! Mixed among our sparkling tree toppers and smiling as they hop into your cart next to some decorative pillows and blankets, our selection of nutcrackers can’t wait to bring a bit of tradition to your home. They may be a new tradition for you and yours. Or perhaps, that mantle covered with toy soldiers at your mom’s has always been your favorite to admire and expand. Either way, we’re here to show you a few classic styles and modern takes on the nutcracker that are sure to make your holiday season and year extra merry and bright!

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker may be synonymous with Christmas for you. It wouldn’t be unexpected. They pair as well as a friend’s holiday party and ugly Christmas sweaters. But while Clara, the Nutcracker, and the Mouse King may be staples in some households, they’re not the only reason the two relate. German folklore presented nutcracker dolls as symbols of peace. They were strong figures capable of warding off evil spirits and gifted to families to serve as protectors of the home.

Then American soldiers saw the wooden figures in markets while serving in WWII. They started collecting the dolls for loved ones and gifting the souvenirs for reasons very similar to German tradition. With their history as gifts, an internationally loved Christmas ballet breathing life into the figures, and a clever family of artisans expanding the possibilities of decorative nutcrackers, the wooden soldiers sprouted roots that have made them as permanent to Christmas as stockings. Let’s explore how our selection helps you welcome a piece of the history home!

What can be said about Disney that hasn’t already? Everything they touch seems to become magic. Just think about it. They made a wooden cowboy and plastic space ranger feel like family members instead of toys. Though, we suppose the right toy can do that for anyone. But we digress. Toy Story characters are so relatable and well-loved that they may be a major part of different traditions in your home.

There are countless ways to style a Toy Story costume after all—did Bo Peep or Jessie play Clara in your version of The Nutcracker? Perhaps it was Mrs. Nesbit that took on the role? Or maybe it’s not Toy Story that lights your family’s Disney hearts on fire. We’ve got you covered there too. Whether it’s classic Disney, new Disney, or Disney adjacent, our selection of nutcrackers can help you celebrate that Disney love in a new way. And in some cases, while still following nutcracker tradition. So, without further ado, let’s discuss a bit of the Disney magic waiting for you and yours!

Nutcracker Set

Pairing nutcrackers is simple. You choose a theme and so long as it suits your décor and can be classified as a nutcracker, you’re good to go. But you may be wondering how these Nightmare Before Christmas dolls work. If you’re a fan of the spooky Disney film, you get it. Jack and Sally decorations are constants in your fall and winter displays. For those that think it strange, we offer this.

Nussknacker, German for ‘nutcracker’, first appeared in a Brother’s Grimm dictionary. The now notoriously dark fairytales inspired many of the sweetened versions of Disney’s fairytale classics. The Nightmare Before Christmas, is most definitely a spooky fairytale, making it a perfect blend of Disney and nutcracker tradition. So, choose whatever makes your dreamy nutcracker set come to life. Be it Mickey and Minnie polishing your Mickey collection or brooding Star Wars characters that look great next to your prop replicas, we can help. And should people raise any objections, you can lay those questions to rest with the above!

If you didn’t before, you know now that nutcrackers have been gifts for almost as long as they’ve existed. But not everyone may appreciate a physical copy of the wooden figurines as much as they appreciate the idea of a nutcracker. Luckily, our selection of nutcracker gifts addresses that without difficulty. From a 7-inch Ewok that’d make a great nutcracker stocking stuffer to festive leggings that would surely become the starting point for a nutcracker outfit or cozy nutcracker pajamas, there’s more here than traditional glossy soldiers. But you know that already!

You didn’t come to our site looking for standard! You want silly, unique, and thoughtful options that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Like the exclusives you gifted your cousin for their last birthday, or the Kurt Adler ornaments you surprised your mother with just in time for her to decorate her always stunning Christmas tree, these next couple of gift ideas are sure to live up to your expectations. And probably inspire one or two other purchases!