Nutcrackers

Nutcrackers originated during the 19th century in the eastern part of Germany. 

Life was difficult for many people who worked long hours in the mines and endured hardships and poverty.  Often the miners watched as their superiors confiscated the fruits of their labor.  Nutcrackers were created and cleverly designed to resemble the authoritarian figures of kings, policemen, and soldiers.  What began as a practical tool ended up as an expression of social critique by the common people.

Today many homes include the nutcracker as a part of their Christmas decorations.  These figures with oversized heads and large jaws are still viewed as one of the more whimsical decorations of the season. The hand carved nutcracker is a family tradition that will last a long time and is very durable.

Begin your own family tradition of displaying a nutcracker on the mantle with some garland, stockings and tinsel. Give a special person a nutcracker as a gift. 

Decorate a table with shiny glass ornaments and a smoking man facing a nutcracker.