Every year when the holiday season rolls around, one of the most special traditions families can enjoy is decorating their home with festive decorations. From wreaths to trees to stockings, there are many iconic items that are cherished during the Christmas season. One of the most beloved symbols of Christmas is the German nutcracker. Made popular by a ballet, countless movies, and many pieces of pop culture, German nutcrackers make the holiday season complete for many who celebrate. Learn more about the history of this festive figure by watching this video.
While they are used almost exclusively for decorative purposes today, most people forget that nutcrackers originally had a practical function. Just as their name implies, they were used as a tool to get to the edible portions of nuts. Nuts have been a part of the human diet since ancient times, and the original nutcrackers were shaped like basic pliers. The version we see in modern times began as a piece of German folk art. They were a way for families of the lower class to enjoy a piece of culture. Today, these items are mass-produced in factories and are shipped and sold around the globe.
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