This Small Nutcracker Soldier Ornament
is about 6 inches tall. These Nutcracker Ornaments are wearing a black domed hat with gold band and a gold decoration, a red uniform jacket with red, green and white front, red and gold epaulettes and gold cuffs, red trousers with gold cuffs and black boots. He stands on a small, gold, square wooden base. The Small Soldier from our Christmas Nutcracker Decorations have a sword decorated with red plastic jewels attached to his left side and hangs from a hold cord. Select to see a complete listing of our Christmas Decorations Ideas.

Military Uniform History:
It is unclear when the first military uniforms were developed, and for what purpose. Uniforms are typically a sign of well-organized military forces equipped by a central authority. It is important to distinguish between uniforms and ethnic dress. If a particular race or culture favored a distinctive dress style that could easily create the impression of uniformly dressed warriors. Select to learn more about Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers. The colorful clothing of the Hungarian hussars became the uniform of hussar units all over Europe. Soldiers could also develop their own fashions, which set them apart from civilians. The clothing of the German Landsknechte of the 16th century is an example of distinctive military fashion. There are a few recorded attempts at uniform dress in antiquity, going beyond the similarity to be expected of ethnic or tribal dress. One example is the Spanish infantry of Hannibal who wore white tunics with crimson edgings. Another is the Spartan helot in his red garment. Select to find more Nutcracker Decorations ideas for the holidays.

The Kurt Adler Nutcracker Fable.
Once upon a time, in the mountains of Germany, there lived a young boy with his mother and father. The boy’s father woke up very early every day and went to work in the mines. The little boy was scared to stay at home without his father, whom he loved very much. Select this link to view our Nutcracker Ornaments.
So that his son would not be frightened, the father carved him a wooden nutcracker which had fierce eyes and teeth. He told the boy that he should not be afraid because he was safe from harm with the nutcracker there to protect him. The boy was still afraid, so every night, when the father came home from the mines, he worked on carving a new nutcracker for his son. He gave his son a different nutcracker….a guard, a painter, a clock maker, etc. These nutcrackers protected the boy and kept him company while his father was away. The boy always felt safe and when he was older and had a son of his own, he passed on the nutcrackers to him, so that he would always be protected from harm. And as the nutcrackers were passed on, the collection grew bigger and bigger as each generation added its own special touch. Select this link to view our Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers.