History of the Nutcracker

Nutcrackers are most closely associated with the Christmas season, for which they are considered a traditional symbol. The original Christmas nutcrackers first appeared in Germany and were thought to guard the household they were kept in because of their strong appearance. Since their inception, nutcrackers have been made of wood, though modern designs are introducing all-weather materials, such as fiberglass.

It is true that early nutcrackers were whittled from wood and were artfully designed. Some nutcrackers appeared with the heads of men, animals and other objects. But typically, the nutcracker had a set of handles and at the top a cracking mechanism, and that was it. Once, harder metals were introduced, nutcrackers were also ornately fashioned from metal, but not as affordable to the lower classes.

In the late 17th century the nutcracker was transformed into a doll that still functioned as a nutcracker. However, the nutcracker wasn’t a giant nutcracker, as we see more of today. And although some were kept in gardens amongst the gnomes as an outdoor nutcracker, they still weren’t life size nutcrackers, but rather hand sized. It was at this time as well, that the nutcracker took on more of a whimsical toy solider appearance with bright colors and embellishments.

Christmas Night Inc. carries a large selection of nutcrackers and nutcracker soldiers to choose from. They are made of chip resistant materials and are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Fiberglass nutcrackers are lighter than their wooden counterparts, making them easier to ship and easier to arrange in your holiday display. An outdoor nutcracker can adorn the entry ways into any household, or store front. And make a great addition to all Christmas décor.

Nutcracker Transformation to Life Size Nutcracker

After appearing on stage as a life size nutcracker, in the ballet The Nutcracker, the nutcracker transformation continued. It is possible that once the ballet became more accepted, that the concept of a giant nutcracker, became a part of the holiday season. Because the Nutcracker Prince came to life on stage. Many nutcrackers were fashioned into known leaders, celebrities, and historical figures. But mostly into the whimsical toy solider that many of us recognize today, with a bright colors and embellishments.

Christmas Night Inc. manufactures nutcrackers in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from petite figures of less than 3 feet to a giant nutcracker towering over 12 feet high. The incredible selection of styles and sizes make nutcracker decorations a great solution for businesses, homes and shopping centers.

High-quality holiday decor is easy to find when you shop at Christmas Night Inc. We carry all of the latest styles of nutcrackers, ranging from traditional soldiers to kings and more. Our impressive selection, competitive prices and fast shipping options make finding the right addition to your holiday display easier than ever. Shop today for a great selection of oversized nutcrackers and make your next holiday the best it can be.

Nutcracker FAQs

• Who first devised the story of a Nutcracker that comes to life?

  Thanks to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s popular two-act Nutcracker ballet, most of us alive today are familiar with the tale of a heroic, life-size Nutcracker that comes to life to protect a little girl from an evil Mouse King and his Queen. But Tchaikovsky did not invent those characters or that plot. They are based on an 1844 fantasy story by Alexandre Dumas, père, titled The Nutcracker (Histoire d'un casse-noisette). Dumas’s story in turn is an adaptation of Prussian author E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 tale, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (German: “Nussknacker und Mausekönig”). The Nutcracker has become forever associated with Christmas because that is the time of year in which the story is set.

• Besides cracking nuts and adding festive color to Christmas decorations, do kitchen-size nutcrackers serve any other function?

  In the early days, nutcrackers were utilitarian tools for the kitchen for the express purpose of opening hard-shelled nuts. Later they were designed as functional dolls with powerful jaws, each with a unique appearance and visual “personality.” Over time, they took on the role of a tutelary presence within the home in the home (what the ancient Greeks used to call a daimon), intended to protect the owner and keep evil spirts at bay. This is the aspect of the fictional Nutcracker that takes center stage in the stories and ballet.

• Are all Christmas Night’s Nutcracker figurines life-size ones?

  Not all our decorative Nutcrackers are life-size. They range in dimensions from small (3 feet tall) to medium or life-size (6 feet) to giant (12 feet).

• What are your Nutcrackers made of, and how durable are they?

  Our Nutcracker figures—life-size, small, and extra-large—are constructed from high-quality, weather-resistant fiberglass, making them light for shipping and setting up and strong in any weather.

• What is the price range of Christmas Night’s Nutcrackers?

  Depending on the size desired, they range in price from about $400 to $9,000.

• Are there any optional accessories that can be purchased with your Nutcrackers?

  Very popular with our customers are the giant display drums, available in heights of 28″ and 36″.

• What colors do your Nutcrackers come in?

  It depends on the model. Most have some variation of red, blue, gold, green, white, and black color schemes.