I’m a huge Christmas fan (which isn’t always apparent, given that I only write about it EVERY DAY this time of year). We finally got our holiday decorations up the other day, and the Christmas tree has been ordered from the Internet. Not sure where we’re going to put it once it arrives, but… our house will smell like a pine-scented candle soon enough! There’s a new item to place on the mantle this year - something I’ve wanted for many a year, but never actually had the courage to purchase because it’s such a collector’s item (and as such, quite expensive). You know what a Nutcracker is, right? What about a Nutcracker doll? Moreover, a Steinbach Nutcracker statue? Yessir, Ponzi purchased the first one for me - and it’s probably one of the bestest Christmas presents I’ve ever received before Christmas day. I don’t know why I’ve always wanted one - I think it’s just the way they’re made that’s so appealing? No matter, I believe this will become a Christmas tradition for us; every year, I hope to pick up a new Steinbach Nutcracker. Eventually, with enough of ‘em in our possession, we may have to find a place to display ‘em year-round. Seems a shame to keep such a fine piece of woodwork boxed up in a closet but for one month a year!

There are a lot of Steinbach knock-offs out there, though it’s incredibly easy to spot a “fake.” The giveaway is in the Nutcracker’s eyes (the whites, to be more specific). Steinbach makes so many of them, though - including Chubbies, Trolls, Smokers, and tree ornaments. The 18″ Nutcrackers are the only ones that ever captured my imagination. Every year, Steinbach releases new “themed” Nutcrackers. In the past, I’ve seen some characters from the Wizard of Oz. Amazingly enough, this year they released a Darth Vader nutcracker Limited Edition! It could be such an expensive hobby, but these items oughta appreciate in value - which makes me appreciate Steinbach Nutcrackers even more. Wish I could say the same for most of the Christmas decorations around my house - including the inflatable Grinch. Why give someone a fruitcake that’ll only get passed off as a colorful paperweight? Then again, like I said before, these Nutcrackers ain’t cheap (both in quality and in price). Makes you kinda rethink the entire gift-giving process a bit, eh? Why should we give things to others that are eventually going to get shoved aside, returned to the store on December 26th, sold on eBay, or re-given away as presents next year? Why do some of us ask for timely things instead of timeless ones? I’m doing what I can to reverse that trend in my personal life. The Steinbach Nutcracker is a good start.

[tags]gifts,christmas,nutcracker,steinbach,woodwork,woodcarving,steinbach nutcracker,presents[/tags]