The 15 inch Wooden Nutcracker Soldier
is standing guard holding a rifle on his shoulder and is wearing a black flat German nutcracker hat. These Christmas Nutcracker Decorations are dressed in a red soldier jacket with blue cuffs. The Nutcracker Soldier has blue pants and black shoes. The Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers have black fur hair and beard. The nutcracker is standing on a green wooden base. Select to see a complete listing of our Christmas Decorations Ideas.
How Nutcrackers Came To America
Nutcrackers have always been enjoyed for their whimsical expressions, authentic costumes, and enigmatic charm. However, nutcrackers also possess a rich history that goes back about 300 years. Nutcrackers carry with them a sense of tradition as well as an abundance of stories and legends of the past. Although nutcrackers have been around forages, they were not always the collectible items as we know them today. In fact, nutcrackers only became popular in the United States about 50 years ago.
The practice of collecting nutcrackers in the United States began in the early 1950’s. Many of the GI's who were in Germany during World War II visited “Kristkrinä!e Marktet”, which were open air fairs or markets. It was there that they discovered a sturdy and intriguing companion in the nutcracker. When the soldiers returned home after the war, a new comrade accompanied them. Strengthened by the nutcracker’s ability to ward off evil from its owners, the soldiers brought a figure of power and protection to their families and loved ones. And so, the nutcrackers with their rich heritage had arrived in the United States, and were here to stay. When Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker Suite” premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892, the popularity of nutcrackers spurted tremendously. The ballet became very popular in the United States in the early 1950’s and ignited the passion for these fascinating creatures. The magic and mystery of the ballet has intrigued and enchanted audiences year after year. The strong following of this classic production greatly increased the popularity of collecting nutcrackers in America. The role of the Steinbach family in contributing to the rising popularity of nutcrackers cannot be overemphasized. The first nutcrackers, created mainly in the Erzgebirge, depicted images of kings, military officers, and other prominent members of the upper classes. In his own unique way, altered this tradition and raised the nutcrackers to a different level. The subjects of the nutcrackers were expanded to depict characters from German folklore and legend. Introducing nutcrackers representing characters from different areas of the globe. Select the following link to view our Large Nutcrackers
Distinctive Clothing
One purpose of military uniforms is to clearly distinguish combatants who are protected by the laws of war from other persons carrying weapons, who enjoy no such protection. Another purpose in historical times was to make it difficult for deserters to avoid detection; military uniforms were so distinctive with many metal buttons and unique colors that they could not be modified into unrecognizable clothing. In societies where the military was important, the soldiers were dressed to impress the population and themselves. If the commander raised and equipped the troops out of his own pocket, the appearance of the soldiers was also designed to impress his superiors. Attractive or distinctive uniforms could make a military career desirable to young men (the "peacock" factor). As late as 1914 the British Army found that regiments with particularly striking off duty or parade uniforms found it easier to attract recruits. Select this link to view our Unique Christmas Ornaments.
