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The Allure of Giant Nutcrackers: A Timeless Christmas Decor Tradition

Giant nutcracker figure in front of a Christmas tree

As the holiday season approaches, households and businesses begin to brighten up their indoor and outdoor public spaces with various decorations, including Christmas trees with glowing lights, Santa figurines complete with sleigh and reindeer, and of course those hard-to-miss giant nutcrackers. These traditional Christmas figures have been common since the 19th century, and their creative design, colorful costumes, and grand size make them a centerpiece in any home or marketplace. The appeal of these imposing figures is undeniable, and there is no better addition to holiday cheer during this festive season. Here we will delve a little into the history of nutcrackers, their connection to Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, and the quality of craftsmanship that goes into these iconic holiday figures, which have long captivated children and adults alike.

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How Giant Toy Soldiers Joined the Christmas Festivities

Giant nutcracker toy soldier in woodsy winter scene

Ah, that joyous time of year when we bring a flurry of festive cheer into our homes and hearts. Nothing quite beats the feeling that Christmas has arrived—as evidenced by the sparkling lights and decorations, the smell of freshly-baked treats in the kitchen, and holiday movies and music playing on infinite repeat. It truly is an enchanting experience. This festive season can be made exceptionally more magical with the apparition of giant toy soldiers as electrifying decorations in front of homes and businesses! These larger-than-life figures dominate exteriors across our public spaces to create astounding displays.

Such eye-catching decor will not only elevate your Christmas celebrations but will also help you make some precious memories together with your family. So let’s jump right in and discover how giant toy soldiers can add extra pep to your holiday festivities this year!

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It Doesn’t Really Feel Like Christmas Without Giant Toy Soldiers!

Christmas giant toy soldiers

Standing tall and dapper, attired in their finest military raiment—sartorial elegance in velvet and gold—nothing shouts “Christmas!” quite like giant toy soldiers standing at attention in front of decked-out homes or stores overflowing with holiday wares. They have become one of the iconic motifs of Yuletide festivities. Often referred to as nutcracker dolls or Christmas nutcrackers, their legacy goes back centuries. As we leaf through cherished Christmas tales this coming holiday season, let’s delve into the past and shine a light on Christmas toy soldiers and nutcrackers.

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Giant Nutcrackers Around the World

Giant nutcrackers

Nutcrackers and Christmas go together like hot cider and frosty snowfall. How festive to see one standing atop a mantle in his red and green soldier’s uniform or at attention beneath the Christmas tree. You may even spy some giant nutcrackers on a porch or in a yard, ready to usher in the Yuletide season.

Nutcrackers are beloved members of the Christmas decorating family, though it wasn’t until the creation of Tchaikovsky’s famed Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker, in 1892 that they became a holiday staple.

Originating in medieval times, the first nutcrackers were functional tools for—you guessed it!—cracking nuts. Some were plain, while others were crafted out of wood by skilled whittlers who made them look like animals, elf heads, or other figures from nature and folklore.

In the 17th century, a German craftsman created nutcracker dolls for children. Since these small novelty dolls were seen as symbols of protection and power, could giant nutcrackers offer even more protection (as the hero of the ballet did)? Realistically speaking, maybe not. But they most definitely could offer extra special holiday cheer!

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Nutty Fun with Life-size Nutcrackers

Life-size nutcracker figure

It’s the Christmas season! Look around—everywhere you’ll see snowmen and reindeer, Santa and sparkling trees, flickering candles and charmingly stoic toy soldiers decked out in red, green, and gold—not to mention a flurry of festive décor, from miniature scented elf candles to life-size nutcrackers indoors and out!

In past blogs we explored the surprising origin of giant nutcracker Christmas decorations and the evolution of the beloved nutcracker figure over the decades. To recap, back in the Middle Ages the humble nutcracker began life as a plain, purely functional nut-cracking implement for the kitchen. Soon, clever German craftsmen began fashioning them into dolls—still functional but more fun and festive.

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The Historical Sources of Outdoor Toy Soldiers at Christmastime

Les Ballets de Noël

Though it may seem somewhat peculiar at first glance—if not downright counterintuitive—the association of outdoor toy soldiers with Christmas is now well established in western cultures. Proof of that fact can be found in the sudden appearance of giant toy soldier decorations on front lawns and in shopping malls nationwide when the Christmas season rolls around.

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The Surprising Origin of Giant Nutcracker Christmas Decorations

Two Giant Nutcrackers guarding building entrance

When it’s time to seek out new decorations for the Christmas holiday, we might visit stores or browse online in search of those regal, festive figures, the nutcrackers. Often dressed in red, green, and gold, they stand ready to perform their duty, be it crack a bowl full of roasted chestnuts as part of a party snack or grace a holly-covered mantle near the sparkling Christmas tree. And not only are nutcrackers crafted in “snack” size, these days there are stately giant nutcrackers found in holiday displays all over, from North to South, East to West, heralding the season on snow-covered stretches or warm, sunny lawns.
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