This Stately King Nutcracker
is 15 inches tall and is holding a small gold ceremonial Baton in his right hand. The Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers are wearing a gold crown with a navy blue center cap and green plastic jewels at each point. His uniform jacket is red with yellow plastic jewels for his buttons and a gold braided belt with a hint of green. The jacket also has a gold braid lining the top and bottom of it with the same hint of green that is in his belt. These Christmas Nutcracker Decorations epaulets are navy blue with a gold fringe. He has dark blue trousers with gold cuffs and tall black boots with golden crisscross laces. Our Stately King Nutcracker is standing on a gold square 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 1950s. Many of the GIs who were in Germany during World War II visited open air fairs or markets in Germany. 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 nutcrackers 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. Check out our selection of Wooden Nutcracker Ornaments for your Christmas tree.
Christmas Stocking.
Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children in the United States and some other cultures hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In some Christmas stories, the contents of the Christmas Stocking are the only toys the child receives at Christmas from Santa Claus. Other presents are wrapped up in wrapping paper. Tradition in western culture dictates that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal. By tradition, the stocking is hung on the fireplace, but, since many modern homes do not have fireplaces, stockings may be hung in almost any location. The tradition started up in Germany. One traditional practice is to reserve the stocking for five gifts that stimulate each of the five senses, for example: Something to eat, like fruit or candy. A toy or other item that makes a noise (this can even include nuts to crack). An item that is visually pleasing in any way like jewelry, cuff-links or a coloring book. Check out our Christmas Stocking Stuffers .
