Christmas Nutcrackers
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!
Nutcracker Decorations
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!
Nutcracker Characters
In The Nutcracker, the Mouse King doesn’t triumph. He isn’t the hero that nutcrackers were seen to be. But thanks to the creative mind of Herr Steinbach, and his family, nutcrackers started breaking out of their classic molds more than 200 years ago. Limited edition runs of kings, military officers, and prominent upper-class citizens made the new-wave nutcrackers more popular and collectible than ever. We like to imagine the first nutcracker collectors felt like POP collectors receiving a Chase figure every time they purchased a new piece. Even if not, having exclusive styles offered in small batches make characters like Steinbach’s King Ludwig II nutcracker and this shimmering Mouse King a highly desirable new normal.
Giant Nutcracker
While nutcrackers sculpted and painted to look like royalty or wearing nutcracker hats covered in storybook characters are typical now, giant nutcrackers remain a more unique character. Our selection offers sturdy figurines standing about 1.5-feet tall, like this Wizard of Oz nutcracker. However, if you’re looking for true behemoths, you’ll need to travel a bit. We hear Germany and Oregon play host to functional nutcrackers that stand 30 to 40-feet tall. Clearly, the masterminds behind the towering nutcrackers understood how to put their STEM education to use. Though, maybe they’re just great LEGO set builders. You could give it a shot. Worst case, you’ll have new LEGOs to play with while your manageably-sized giant nutcracker impresses from the sidelines.
Nutcracker Figurine
Before the 20th century, most nutcrackers were made to actually crack open nuts. But as we’ve heavily hinted at, most are primarily decorative these days. In fact, you’ll find the glossy soldiers, colorful pop culture characters, and dazzling darlings here are best used as décor. While their articulated mouth will lend itself nicely to a bit of puppetry, its owner would probably prefer it is left walnut-free and able to protect your home without a broken jaw. Leave the snack prep to our selection of fun kitchen utensils and get your nutcracker collection shinning or singing with options like the one pictured above. We promise this bearded fellow is much happier letting Mickey and Minnie skate around his hat than shelling nuts.
Unique Nutcracker
After a brief look through our various gift selections, you’re sure to understand that we don’t stock much that can’t be classified as unique. When it comes to unique nutcrackers though, a bearded gentleman with various levels of glitz or a pop culture character on its head may not foot the bill for you. In that case, we have gems like this llama nutcracker. Not only does a llama fit the idea of a different nutcracker it makes a versatile decoration. While in your home nutcrackers may only come out for Christmas, nesting back in a box after the holidays, this llama could be welcome year-round. Glittery for sure, but not inherently seasonal, nutcrackers like this make quirky additions to a child’s room décor or even a well-curated bookshelf.
Disney Nutcrackers
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!
Nutcracker Gifts
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!
Funny Nutcrackers
Subjectively, the funniest nutcrackers are those that capture the essence of a comical character or moment in time. Like our available Christmas Story nutcracker. The leg lamp will always make a large part of the populace giggle, and there’s something about Ralphie’s vocally expressive father not being able to use his favorite words that’s side-splitting.
But since we can’t assume A Christmas Story falls within your sense of humor, we’ve got other silly nutcracker options. Try an Elvis nutcracker. Just imagining that wooden mandible miming along to a classic Elvis tune has us chuckling. Or maybe a punny nutcracker gift is what you’re looking for. We know where nutcracker jokes tend to land, and we’ve got apparel that puts the punchline right where it hurts. Cause laughter-induced stomach cramps all around with our available funny gifts!
Nutcracker Mug
A practical gift can sometimes be the receiver’s favorite. Perhaps that was part of the charm of nutcrackers when they first started arriving as bow-wrapped surprises. But, since most walnuts and cashews come shelled, and our selection of nutcrackers are better left as décor, it’s time for a new nutcracker career: mug! Come to think of it, nutcrackers may prefer this new profession.
Mugs are more versatile than crackers, especially our unique selection. Take this sculpted nutcracker mug for example. It fits a healthy serving of coffee but would be great for a cup of calming tea at the end of a long day. And after getting appropriately frosty building a snowman or sledding with the kids, this oversized mug could be a festive soup bowl. You could even fill it with cold eggnog or mixed nuts, like the kind grandma always had for Christmas gatherings!