Christmas wouldn't be the same without rows of Nutcracker soldiers lining up under the tree or in front of the fireplace. The cute wooden characters, which were first commercially produced by a ...

I’ve noticed that commercial nutcrackers have become quite elaborate and often made from plastic. However, I am a traditionalist and prefer colorful wooden versions that resemble soldiers.

After slowly becoming a winter holiday tradition in Europe during the 1800s, nutcrackers found their way to the U.S. when American soldiers stationed in Germany during WWII brought them home.

Nutcracker Magic will be a very busy show - within 90 minutes, some 85 performers will present acrobatic stunts, aerobics, magic acts and corde lisse, all on a stage that changes drastically.

In 1996, she even made ornaments and a soldier nutcracker for a display at the White House. One of Mary Myers’ hand-carved pieces of folk art. Courtesy of Mary Myers ...