The popularity of nutcrackers has simply blown up over the last few years and has gone from little soldiers to whimsical characters. Learn why the nutcracker was invented and see some fun picks from Cost Plus World Market.
As a kid I was always fascinated with the nutcracker my family brought out for the holiday season. When I wasn’t using it as a toy (it did pair nicely with Barbie after all), my favorite memory was sitting in front of the fireplace with a bowl of whole nuts and putting the nutcracker to work while watching the holiday classic, A Christmas Story.
But how did the little toy solider whose sole purpose is to crack nuts come to be?
According to World Market:
The legend of the nutcracker is a tale of a miserly German farmer who couldn’t eat the walnuts on his property because their shells were too hard to open. After years of watching his walnuts go to waste, he offered a reward to anyone who could invent a solution. An old puppet carver created a puppet with a large mouth and jaw strong enough to crack open the shells. The farmer was so delighted with this innovation that he showered the villagers with Christmas treats, and built a special workshop where the puppet carver could perfect his craft.
Nowadays the nutcracker has gotten a modern makeover. Choosing a playful, whimsical design is almost just as fun as using the nutcracker itself.
Check out these adorable nutcrackers from World Market:
Sport Nutcrackers, $15
North American Chubby Nutcrackers, Set of three, $39
Ancient Cultures Chubby Nutcrackers, Set of three, $39