Christmas Nutcrackers: The Timeless Holiday Tradition You Need in Your Home

When thinking of individual holiday decorations throughout the year, none receive more attention than the famous Christmas nutcracker. While the famous symbol of the Christmas nutcracker – synonymous with courage, strength and grandeur – is one of the most recognized symbols of the holiday season, individual holiday decorations seldom draw as much attention as this one special tradition stuffed symbol has.

Is the famous Christmas nutcracker a cherished and traditional holiday icon or relic of the past, connecting us to historic times and traditions? To some, the Christmas nutcracker is merely a beautiful work of art and symbol of the magic and wonder of the season.

At A Coastal Christmas, the favorite Hilton Head Christmas store, you’ll discover the finest nutcracker figurines representing this special holiday tradition. Come and enjoy the collection whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting this year.

For millions of people around the world having a Nutcracker displayed at Christmas is part of the traditional decorations for the festive period. Many have never even heard of the history behind the Nutcrackers that everybody wants, and so here in The Guide we will look into the rich history behind them.

This will be followed up with The Best Nutcrackers on the market reviewed and explained in detail. Also we will discuss the different styles and types of Nutcrackers available to purchase and share with you our opinion and advise on which Nutcracker would be perfect for you.

The Fascinating History of Christmas Nutcrackers

The Christmas nutcracker story begins in the heart of German folklore and traditional craftsmanship in the Erzgebirge (Erz Mountains of Germany). Nutcrackers were first carved from wood in the Erzgebirge as functional objects — nut crackers with lever operated jaws used to crack open walnuts and other nuts like hazelnuts.

Later, decorative nutcrackers were created shaped as military soldiers, royalty, or Knights. Nutcrackers in Germany are given as gifts to watch over a house and bring good luck, keeping evil spirits at bay. To accomplish this purpose, the Nutcracker is given a symbol of great strength and power, which is why the stern faced soldier or guard in uniform are the most common Nutcracker designs to this day.

The Nutcracker was a traditional gift to children during the Christmas season and many families have passed down their Nutcrackers from generation to generation. A tradition at our house for many years has been the putting up of a Christmas nutcracker. Mine might be predating the famous Russian ballet by many years, since obviously love for the Christmas nutcracker predated it.

The Nutcracker is an orchestral and choreographic piece based on the book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann, which was published in 1816. Although The Nutcracker didn’t premiere until 1892 in St. Petersburg, it was immediately accepted as a new classic and has been premiering in theaters around the world ever since. Today most people think of collectible figurines when they think of the Christmas nutcracker.

Why Christmas Nutcrackers Are the Perfect Holiday Decoration

Whether you’re a seasoned native or simply a guest during the holiday season, chances are you have at least one Christmas nutcracker hanging proudly around your house. The long-lasting and ever-popular staple of nutcracker Christmas decorations brings forth a mixture of tradition, intricate designs and overall versatility to celebrate the year-end festivities. So, why do Christmas nutcrackers continue to fascinate and entertain even after all these years?

• Timeless: From classic wooden sold soldier nutcrackers to more modern designs there is a nutcracker to fit every style and persona.
  
  
• Party Pieces: Their fascinating history and exacting craftsmanship makes these exceptional timepieces perfect conversation starters for the holidays and other events throughout the year.
  
  
• Many families make it a tradition to collect a new Christmas nutcracker each year. These collector's items make for some of the best holiday treasures and help to create wonderful family traditions.
  
  
• Water and seasonal decorations only: These Figures are Decorative Pieces and should not be used as Figurines. Versatile - Can be used on a Mantle, Shelf, entryway or by the Christmas tree.
  
  
• A wonderfully crafted nutcracker Christmas figurine - an ideal permanent gift for loved ones.

Whether you are decorating the home of young individuals or adding to an established collection, no holiday figure embodies elegance quite like the Christmas nutcrackers. As the premier Hilton Head Christmas store, A Coastal Christmas offers nutcracker figures incorporating elements of coastal style into the traditional imagery of these beloved figures.

Shop Our Christmas Nutcrackers are some of our best sellers

I think they add to the look and feel of the Christmas tree. And aren’t they Adorable! Looking for Shop Christmas nutcracker for decoration of your home? A Coastal Christmas features a unique selection of the finest Christmas Nutcrackers in our Christmas by Collection, Gifts & Decor & Themed & Seasonal Christmas Nutcrackers collection. We have found two of the cutest favorites from our selection to share with you here.

1. Nutcracker Chest Musical w/Green

This Nutcracker Chest Musical with Green is an excellent combination of a traditional holiday scene and a musical piece. This handmade collectible piece is decorated with beautifully crafted, hand-painted green holiday accents and elaborate details of a classic Christmas nutcracker.

The Nutcracker is also a beautifully crafted decorated holiday chest and can be filled with candies, trinkets or small treasures to be given as a gift from the Christmas nutcracker. Hand-painted figurine with unusual musical element inside which plays a festive holiday tune. The musical element is a festive musical take on a classic holiday story in the form of a musical "festival" of fun figurines.

These creative nutcrackers are all hand crafted by talented artists from around the world. They will make a wonderful treasured keepsake that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren for years to come. Use them as a centerpiece on your mantle, on a table or under the Christmas tree. This creative nutcracker is on sale at our Christmas store in Hilton Head.

2. Nutcracker Advent Calendar

Get ready for Christmas with the Nutcracker Advent Calendar. We have another Nutcracker advent calendar here at A Coastal Christmas. This would make a wonderful focal point for your home during the run up to Christmas. Beautifully illustrated throughout with vivid scenes from The Nutcracker ballet, this advent calendar has 24 drawers in total for you to fill with treats, chocolates, small gifts for the family, notes, fairy lights, trinkets and baubles for the children to discover each day in December. An absolute must-have for Nutcracker fans, families, children and festive lovers everywhere. A very popular item here at A Coastal Christmas and a great gift idea.

How to Style Christmas Nutcrackers in Your Holiday Decor

However, when most people think of displaying their nutcracker Christmas figures, they imagine traditional setups. But these adorable figurines can be showcased in many different ways.

• Preserving the crackers: Display your line of nutcrackers in different sizes on your mantelpiece and surround with garland and candles for a grand and traditional setup.
  
  
• Display Your Favorite Collectibles — Put the largest nutcracker figurines on the base of your staircase or on the individual steps leading up to your holiday party entrance.
  
  
• Sculpture or Christmas tree companion: Display your favorite Christmas nutcracker on a mantle or under the Christmas tree.
  
  
• Table top centrepiece: Use a single statement nutcracker. Our musical chest nutcracker would make a wonderful centrepiece for your dining table or as a console table decoration.
  
  
• Nostalgic Fun – Bring some old world charm to your home by placing a tall, standing nutcracker figure at your front entrance or in your entryway to welcome your holiday guests.

A Coastal Christmas - Hilton Head's favorite Christmas store- is made up of talented and seasoned employees who love to help you find the nutcracker Christmas decoration that fits best in your home and style. From traditional to coastal to everything in between you can be sure to find the nutcracker that will really make your holiday season shine.

The Magic and Meaning Behind Christmas Nutcrackers

Christmas nutcrackers embody the magic of the season – symbolizing the rich holiday traditions of old, artistic hand-crafted design dating back to folklore in the Bavarian region of Germany and the whimsical world of “The Nutcracker” ballet performed around the world. This holiday season; bring a piece of folklore home to your living room. A Coastal Christmas, your favorite Hilton Head Christmas store, features a magical selection of Christmas nutcrackers in our collection of unique holiday gifts and home decor.

FAQ

1. What is the history behind Christmas nutcrackers?

A Nutcracker is an artifact from the Erzgebirge region of Germany where the first Nutcrackers were made to crack open nuts. In recent times Nutcrackers are sculptured into the likeness of people. Many carry the good luck tradition of protecting a home and family from negative energies. Although Nutcrackers have been a popular item for decades, the Nutcracker ballet created by Tchaikovsky in 1892 is what cemented their place in history.

2. Why are nutcrackers associated with Christmas?

Here’s a little known fact: The nutcracker toy was a German holiday tradition that kids got as presents during the Christmas season. This tradition translated into the famous ballet The Nutcracker, composed by Russian composer Tchaikovsky and performed during the Christmas season all over the world.

3. What are the best Christmas nutcracker decorations for a home?

The best Christmas nutcracker decorations are all personal and unique - when you're decorating the house for Christmas, choose the nutcracker that you like best! If you prefer a traditional nutcracker, or something special like a musical nutcracker, choose the one you like best! We offer nutcrackers in many themes and styles. Here you can find Nutcrackers by theme like our Nutcracker Chest Musical with Green. Then there are advent calendars in the shape of nutcrackers for those families that love out interactive advent calendars.

4. Where can I purchase unique or traditional Christmas nutcrackers on Hilton Head?

A Coastal Christmas is the largest Hilton Head Christmas store. We carry an extensive collection of beautiful Christmas nutcrackers, ornaments and figurines for your holiday decorating. Enjoy the same great selection of nutcracker collections online with home delivery to A Coastal Christmas on Hilton Head Island.

5. How do I display my Christmas nutcrackers in my home?

Our Christmas nutcrackers make a wonderful focal point for your home on your mantelpiece, staircase, on a console table or beside the Christmas tree. We can display several of different sizes side by side to create a fabulous display or opt for a super large one to make a statement at your front entranceway.

6. Are Christmas nutcrackers good gifts?

Christmas nutcrackers make great gifts for collectors and decoration lovers alike. You will find lots of musical nutcrackers as well as lots of nutcrackers for different themes. There are many styles of advent calendar nutcrackers too, suitable for people of all ages.

7. What are the available sizes for Christmas nutcracker figurines?

From a few inches tall to several feet tall, these Christmas nutcrackers can be small table top figurines or can be floor-standing statements. At A Coastal Christmas, we carry nutcracker figurines of all sizes.

8. What do you call that awesome "holiday" statue of a mouse or rat (or whatever it is) in people's homes?

In German tradition, nutcrackers are more than just a pretty Christmas decoration. They symbolize good luck, strength and protection of the home and are said to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings to the house.

9. Do Christmas nutcrackers make a good collectible?

Many families purchase a new Christmas nutcracker each year. Some unique, limited edition, or theme nutcrackers can rise in value over time and make for a fantastic family heirloom. Starting your own Christmas nutcracker collection is a great way to commemorate each holiday year!

10. Can A Coastal Christmas nutcrackers ship across the country?

Yes, we can ship Coastal Christmas nutcrackers across the country. Please call for a shipping quote! While A Coastal Christmas is Hilton Head's favorite Christmas store we can also ship our life-like holiday Christmas nutcrackers, tree skirts, holiday stockinged themed benches and more across the country. Visit our A Coastal Christmas website to shop from home!