A Brief History of Nutcrackers

According to German tradition, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. The nutcracker bears its teeth and scares away unwanted spirits.

Collecting nutcrackers in the United States began in the early 1950’s. Many of the soldiers who were in Germany during World War II visited “Kristkrinä!e Marktet”, which in German means 'open market'. There, they discovered the nutcracker. When the soldiers returned home after the war, a new friend joined them. Strengthened by the nutcracker’s ability to "ward evil from its owners", the soldiers brought a figure of power and protection to their families. And so, the nutcrackers had arrived in the United States, and were here to stay.

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