Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay
10 Best Nutcracker Christmas Decoration Ideas – New And Old 2022
There are many Nutcracker Christmas decoration ideas, from small Christmas tree ornaments, to life size outdoor Nutcracker Soldier or King figures, to guard your household.
How did nutcrackers become associated with Christmas?
German folk legends tell us that nutcrackers were given as lucky charms for the family welfare, and to protect the home. They traditionally symbolize strength and power and guard over the household, barring evil spirits and danger from its vicinity.
Can Nutcrackers actually crack nuts?
Most current ornamental Nutcrackers don’t. Yet, many designs still incorporate the opening in the back of the figurine, where you pull down on a lever to crack the nut, that has been placed in the mouth.
You must buy, specifically, one that can break real nutshells.
Why was the Nutcracker invented?
“By the 15th and 16th century, wood carvers in France and England were creating beautiful wooden nutcrackers. … In 1872 Wilhelm Fuchtner, known as the father of the nutcracker, made the first commercial production of nutcrackers using the lathe to create many of the same design. “- The Nutcracker Museum
Is The Nutcracker About Christmas?
The Nutcracker is a traditional ballet in two fantastical, vibrantly costumed acts. The story is derived from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 fairy tale, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It tells the tale of a little girl, Clara, who goes to the Land of Sweets on Christmas Eve. More historical info HERE.
Her Uncle Drosselmeyer, or Godfather, depending on the production, a magician and toy maker, entertains the guests at the family’s Christmas Eve party. Clara is given a Nutcracker Doll (in the ballet) and her brother Frtiz breaks it.
At midnight, Clara gets up to retrieve her Nutcracker Doll from under the huge Christmas Tree. And then the magic proceeds.
The Christmas Tree grows and grows. Mouse toys come alive and there is a fight between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker – alive as a young handsome soldier (in most versions).
Clara is transported to the Land of The Sweets. Snowflakes come alive and dance, dolls like the Harlequin, Marzipan, and other Christmas or sweet-themed characters entertain.
I haven’t seen a ballet version that portrayed the Sugar Plum Fairy as the evil character, the way the 2018 Disney film The Nutcracker And The Four Realms did. (I went to the film to see Misty Copeland dance.)
The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy changes in choreography from production to production. The tinkling music box style of this part of the score pretty well dictate the fast footwork you see in this dance. The hops on full pointe, and many tiny picques (quick steps onto pointe) and quick turns are featured in this famous solo.
Here is one example you may enjoy.
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Northlight 6′ Commercial Christmas Nutcracker Holding Street Lamp Outdoor Decor
AL
This six foot high, commercial grade (made for outdoors) will illuminate your home’s entrance for your family and guests as you celebrate the spirit of the holidays.
Dressed in the traditional red and green Christmas colors, this figure holds a Victorian style street lamp to light the way.
He is uniformed in red and green.
Green is a Christmas color that has long stood for the endurance of life through the winter months.
Red was originally represented by apples, and this figure shows bright Holly berries for that purpose.
This Nutcracker Soldier stands as a guardian, and a greeting at your home or small business.
It is big enough to stand guard at a mall, office building entrance, or small city mews, warming the pedestrian paths.
It is also beautiful in a hallway, at the foot of a grand staircase, in a foyer, and next to a tall Christmas tree.
The circular stand he is on is strong, and like the full figure is weather resistant.
Accented with metallic paint and glitter, it is chip resistant.
The streetlamp he holds requires 2 AA batteries (sold separately).
Materials are of durable fiberglass/plastic bulbs/wire.
Northlight 6′ Giant Commercial Size Wooden Red and Black Christmas Nutcracker Soldier
AL
The Nutcracker lore is that the figure symbolizes power and strength and serves as a guardian over your family and property, warding off evil spirits and danger.
The nutcracker bares its teeth to present ferocity to the malevolent spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.
The Nutcracker solider is uniformed in red and black, with a high furry black hat with gold accents.
He is attached to sturdy red and gold base, and stands life size.
Lever on the back of the nutcracker to make his mouth open and close. Perfect for a family room, living room or an office space. For indoor decorative purposes only Dimensions: 6’H x 12.25″W x 12.25″D. Material(s): wood/plastic/acrylic
Zaer Ltd. Giant Life-Size Pair of 6′ Iron Nutcracker Christmas Holiday Toy Soldiers (Green)
AL
This stylish and unique Giant Life-Size PAIR is an imposing sentry for your Christmas decorations.
These two can’t be missed, presiding over your entrance way, hallway, or in your foyer.
Exquisitely detailed, the life-size duo has a Premium metallic painted finish over its sturdy iron construction.
Classic Wood-Look Life-Size 6′ Christmas Holiday Nutcracker Toy Soldiers
AL
This splendid 6′ Nutcracker wears an intricately detailed red, green, and gold uniform with a stunning harlequin patterned hat. The design flare combining stripes, plaids and the harlequin diamonds is striking.
He is secured onto the harlequin patterned drum, bearing a traditional holly wreath in one hand and is offering beautiful presents in the other.
Features: Height: 72” Width: 16.2″ Length: 24.2″ Weight: 60 lbs
Hand painted finish Wood antique look Removable gifts and wreath included For decorative indoor and outdoor use. Accessories not included This is not a toy
Made from thick durable resin.
The Nutcracker Figures – Illuminated Bavarian-Style LED Christmas Nutcracker Soldier Statue – LED Holiday Decor Statue
AL
Dazzle your neighborhood this holiday season with our traditional European style nutcracker statue.
This finely detailed figurine is hand-painted in an attractive balance of red, green, black and gold.
The illumination enhances the vivid hues and shows off the gemstones, ornate designs, 3D embellishments, and more.
It is weatherproof and indoor/outdoor safe.
Guard your home, outside at your front door, or place him on your patio or porch. You may want to bring him in by the fireplace, next to the Christmas tree, or decorate a foyer or upstairs landing.
No assembly required!
Heavy enough to stand up to wind and snow.
Christmas Decorations – Medium 4 Foot Tall Nutcracker Ballet Trumpeting Toy Soldier Holiday Decor Statue
AL
In the Nutcracker ballet, each variation by the colorful Land of Sweets dancing dolls, is announced by a trumpet.
Evoking memories of Christmases festivities from by gone days, give your visitors a royal welcome with this four-foot tall soldier who stands at the ready all year-round!
The Design Toscano grand-scale holiday sculpture is fortified by a combination of quality designer resin and fiberglass for sturdiness and hand-painted for authenticity from its gold-toned trumpet to black mustache.
This large-scale, display-quality Trumpeting Soldier magically transforms any home, garden, restaurant or hotel into something truly magnificent!
The figure is boxed in two pieces, simple assembly required.
Three sizes available. 31″Wx14″Dx48″H. 18 lbs.
Fraser Hill Farm FFRS061-NC5-RD Indoor/Outdoor 5-Ft. Nutcracker Playing Bass Drum with Moving Hands, Music, Timer, and 20 LED Lights Holiday Decoration, Color 2
AL
This 5.0′ Nutcracker will present your family and friends with quite the show.
It’s movement with a light show! With moving hands and 3000-hour life Ultra bright LED lights he’ll provide endless entertainment at your Christmas parties.
He plays 8 traditional Christmas songs:
- Jingle bells
- We wish you a Merry Christmas
- Silent night
- Deck the halls
- Joy to the world
- The First Noel
- Hark! The Herald angels Sing
- Oh, Christmas tree.
- Timer: 8 on/16 off timer for easy set and forget operation.
- Weather-resistant: made of sturdy resin, this festive figure will do all right outside in a sheltered spot, like on your covered porch or inside your home.
- Brightly painted: hand-painted with realistic details and bold accents this drumming nutcracker will provide years of joy!
National Tree 65 Inch Jeweled Nutcracker with Metallic Paint
AL
- Stands 65″ high
- Pre-lit with 20 UL listed White LED lights
- LED bulbs burn with less energy, and are cool and long lasting
- This figure is made to stand outdoors or inside
- It ships in reusable storage carton
Alexander Taron Importer 32-328 Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker – Gingerbread King (Natural) – 15″ H x 6″ W x 5.5″ D, Brown
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Alexander Taron Inc. was founded in 1949, in Germany.
The deep burgundy and gold accented uniform is a traditional color scheme, more so than the “coca cola” red that is more North American.
It will look lovely with your deep fir green colored decorations.
Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker – Prince White/Gold – 39 cm / 15.4 inch
AL
White and gold is popular Christmas color scheme. I can see this figure in a home with a white, or flocked tree and swathes of wide gold ribbons, with crystal and gold ornaments.
It can also be a beautiful accent among your traditional holiday decorations.
Related material:
10 + Best Crystal Christmas Tree Ornaments – Brands And Collectibles – 2020
More related material:
Many Nutcracker Versions Are Loved by Ballet Fans Around the World by Dianne M. Buxton
The Nutcracker ballet versions that we can see now have developed from a rich history. The Nutcracker began as a somewhat dark story of magic, a fairy tale that we might not choose for our young children. Originally, Clara was a doll of the central character Maria. She came alive and helped the wounded Nutcracker doll who had engaged in heavy combat wit the Mouse King.
Tchaikovsky used some contemporary music, a popular children’s song, as well as a contemporary song people played or sang as party guests departed for home. The full Nutcracker score that we know now developed in stages.
Anna Pavlova’s Company performed a version of Nutcracker in 1915, choreographed by Ivan Clustine, called “Snowflakes”. The Bolshoi Ballet presented a version of the ballet in 1919, choreographed by Alexander Gorsky.
The Kirov Ballet’s first Nutcracker version was presented 1929, and outside of Russia, the Vic-Wells Ballet produced the first English version in 1934, choreographed by Nicholas Sergueyev.
Lew Christensen is responsible for the first full-length American version of the Nutcracker, opened by the San Francisco Ballet, in 1954.
There are approximately 30 more professional full length versions of the Nutcracker that have endured through ballet history.
The magical character of Uncle Drosselmeyer has been portrayed in many imaginative ways. In some versions he is a character part with little dancing. In one version he is a tap dancer!
Many versions of the Nutcracker on DVD, are available to children everywhere.
The Nutcracker music, the lush costumes and sets, and the magic, has kept audiences entertained for generations. And, naturally, the Nutcracker has contributed to developing ballet audiences, as it is often the first ballet children see, and many are hooked for life.
Scampering mice, Snowflakes in pointe shoes, lights, music and magic – there are many Nutcracker versions for ballet dancers and ballet fans. Enjoy!
Dianne M. Buxton trained at The National Ballet School of Canada, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and Toronto Dance Theater.