31 Days of Christmas/What We Know About Them (Day 5)

Germany is the next place we stop to learn of some of their Christmas traditions. And one of the things I learned quite by default a couple days ago was the Nutcracker originated there. Now, to be honest, I have never cared for them and have never owned one and probably never will own one. However, the other evening, I turned on the Lifetime movie "A Very Nutty Christmas' with Melissa Joan Hart and Barry Watson, where I learned that the Nutcracker did originate in Germany along with a tad bit of other information about it, and so I looked more into it apart from the movie.

According to legend, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes for good luck and to protect homes. It is said that they represent power and strength and watch over the home and family like a trusty watch dog. Additionally, they bare their teeth to evil spirits and are messengers of good will and good luck.

For the better part of two centuries, they have been the creation of the Steinbach family, who still runs the family business of fine woodworking products which is now located in Hohenbamien in the northern region of Germany.

Nutcrackers carry with them many stories and legends and are loved for their authentic costumes and charm. But they have not always been a collectible item as they are today. In fact, they only became popular and a collector's item in America in the 1950s. It was during World War 11 that they began to make their way here when soldiers of that period would go to open-air fairs or markets called KrisKringleMarket in Germany where they were discovered and brought back as many GIs returned home.

There is much that goes into the making of just one nutcracker. Included below is the very short version, of steps needed to produce them and should you want more information please visit:  The History of Nutcrackers

1. Curing the wood 2.Shaping the wood 3.Hand turning the wood 4.Automatic Lathe 5. Polishing and drilling 6. Pinning and spraying 7.Carving  8. Painting.


So if you have never had one of these pieces of art, at least the next time you happen to see one, you will know a little more about them. And if you like zany and funny movies, catch 'A Very Nutty Christmas'  on Lifetime as Mellisa Joan Hart as Kate Holiday wakes to find Chip as Barry Watson, a Nutcracker that has come to life, before he has to return home and in the process, she falls in love with him. It is a very entertaining movie and though it all make believe, sometimes we all just need a dose of funny, irrational make-believe. Don't you agree?


Did you know that the 4 birds mentioned in the Christmas Carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' can be called calling birds or colly birds? I always thought they are calling birds but happened to see they were called colly birds on a site when researching for this carol. And so I looked it up and indeed it is true and quite interesting should you like to read about it for your self you may find it at: Is it “Four Calling Birds” or “Four Colly Birds”? A “Twelve Days of Christmas” Debate | From the Catbird Seat: Poetry & Literature at the Library of Congress It just goes to show that no matter how old you get, there are always new things to learn. So on with the answer to yesterdays question.

Q. What do the 4 calling birds stand for in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
A. Day 4 Dec.28 The Feast of the Holy Innocents when people remember the day that King Herod had boy babies killed in an attempt to kill the Baby Jesus.

• Tomorrow's question: What do the five golden rings represent? I haven't a clue. Do you? The answer will be on tomorrows blog so don't miss it. In the meantime, thanks for coming by and have a blessed day!