Description
Few stories look quite as at home at Christmas as The Nutcracker. Toy soldiers, ballerinas, candy colors and snowy fantasy seem made for holiday decorating, and the ballet gives collectors an entire cast of characters and scenes to bring from the stage into the home.
Clara and her Nutcracker are at the center of the story, joined by Herr Drosselmeyer, the Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy and dancers inspired by the ballet’s many memorable scenes. Ballerina ornaments in tulle, glitter, beads and sparkling finishes bring movement to the Christmas tree, while ballet slippers offer a simpler nod to dancers and anyone who grew up dreaming of the stage.
Of course, the nutcracker himself has long since become a Christmas character in his own right. Kings, soldiers, drummers and buglers appear as traditional wooden figures, colorful glass ornaments and elaborate character designs. Some stay close to classic red, green, gold and black, while others embrace candy canes, peppermint, sequins, jewels and unexpected colors. Modern artists have stretched the nutcracker format even further, proving that the familiar tall hat, uniform and magnificent mustache can accommodate an impressive amount of personality.
That variety makes a Nutcracker themed display especially fun to build. Hang Clara, ballerinas, soldiers and glass nutcrackers across the tree, then continue the story onto nearby tables with larger freestanding figures. Add candy inspired ornaments, snowy accents and jewel toned decorations to suggest the ballet’s fantastical settings. Whether you love the performance itself or simply cannot resist a very well dressed wooden soldier, there is plenty here to keep the story going.
Why Shop Nutcracker Suite Decor & Ornaments at Traditions?
The Nutcracker can become an entire collecting world. One person may love the ballet and look for Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, while another collects traditional wooden soldiers or glass nutcracker ornaments in every color imaginable. Bringing those different interpretations together is part of what makes the theme so much fun.
Serving collectors since 1994, Traditions is a family-owned holiday store with an extensive assortment of Nutcracker Suite ornaments and decor from Kurt Adler, Santa’s Workshop, Old World Christmas, Noble Gems and other favorite makers. We personally inspect products as they arrive and photograph our pieces in-house so you can clearly see their costumes, colors, materials and decorative details. Whether you are building a ballet inspired Christmas tree, adding another nutcracker to a longstanding collection or choosing a keepsake for a dancer, our knowledgeable customer service team is always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What characters from The Nutcracker can I collect?
Nutcracker themed collections can include Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen and dancers inspired by different scenes from the ballet. Traditional nutcracker kings, soldiers, drummers and buglers can be mixed with these story characters to create a broader Nutcracker display.
How can I create a Nutcracker themed Christmas tree?
Begin with nutcracker ornaments and ballerinas, then add ballet slippers, candy inspired decorations, jewel tones and sparkling glass ornaments to expand the theme. Repeating a few colors throughout the branches helps connect different characters and materials, while larger nutcracker figures placed near the tree can carry the theme beyond the branches.
What is the difference between Nutcracker ornaments and freestanding nutcracker figures?
Nutcracker ornaments are designed to hang from the Christmas tree and are often made from glass, resin, wood or mixed materials. Freestanding nutcracker figures are generally larger and intended for tabletop, mantel or other decorative displays. Collectors can use both together, with ornaments telling the story across the tree and larger figures extending the theme into the surrounding room.
