Archive for the ‘Collections’ Category

Nutcrackers – 4th of July

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

NutcrackersIndependence Day is a time for celebration. US flags in all sizes, stars and stripes and red, white and blue decorations are seen all over town.

Interested in a unique decorating item? Take a look at these nutcrackers dressed in red white and blue and carrying an American flag. This is a real eye catcher in any office or home.

Any birthdays to celebrate around the 4th of July? An Uncle Sam nutcracker is a sure success gift. You could even start a collection of 4th of July nutcrackers!!

Happy holidays!!

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4th of July Ornaments

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

The next holiday celebration coming up in the United States is Independence Day. On the 4th of July we celebrate our independence as a nation. Our national symbols, the Stars and Stripes, are displayed everywhere. The flag is proudly flown over buildings and other locations. Offices are decorated, front porches, cars, stores, etc. Americans are very inventive in their display of patriotism.

Stars and Stripes Guess what? Here is a new and unique decorating idea:  4th of July glass ornaments.

Stars and Stripes What is more shiny than glass? Nothing. Imagine a glass ball ornament in red, white and blue. The best possible display of the national colors. The stars and stripes shine and sparkle in the sun.

You could hang patriotic ornaments over your desk in your office, or in front of a window of your living room. I am sure you can think of many applications for the Independence Day holiday.

Take a look at some of the 4th of July ornaments on the market: Patriotic Ornaments

Happy holidays!!

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Running out of Gift Ideas?

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Do you have the problem like I do, with friends and relatives, who have “everything”? Do you also find it difficult to buy a gift for that person?

Here is a new idea for you!!!

I know it is not yet Christmas, but your solution may be in Christmas ornaments.

Christmas ornaments are these shiny, glittery hand blown glass objects that always look nice, rich and interesting.

The key to your gift idea lies in the fact that Christmas ornaments come in all kinds of forms and shapes.

CornYour friend undoubtedly has a hobby, or an occupation, a vice, a habit or another aspect that calls for exposure or accentuation. A cat or dog ornament for animal lovers. Wedding ornaments for newly weds. Vegetable ornaments for a kitchen princess!! There are Western ornaments, floral, wine and fruit ornaments. You see there are all kinds of fitting gifts in the ornaments market.

There are ornaments in all of kinds of categories and undoubtedly there is some ornament that makes the connection.

You will score points with your colorful perhaps witty ornament.

Collections

Cardinal BirdAnother option is the hobby or interest of your family member. In a number of ornament categories there is a whole line of figures. This attracts collectors from all kinds of walks of life.

Based on the interest of your friend you could pick an ornament to be the start of a collection. On his/her next birthday you do not have to think hard to find a present; there is the collection to be added onto. How about birds, sports or animal collections?

You see, year round there are lots of gift idea possibilities in the Christmas ornaments.

Happy Gift Shopping

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Christmas Smoker

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Santa SmokerIn addition to the Nutcracker there is another traditional holiday item in Germany, the Christmas smoker, or incense burner.

Burning incense adds to the holiday spirit in the German homes. Smoking incense started in practical and simple holders for the incense stick. Over time a similar development as with the nutcrackers took place for the smokers. Germans with artistic talents such as woodcarvers and sculptors developed artistic figures out of the incense burning items.

As a result we now have all kinds of wooden figurines that have a hole in the mouth or hand to fit an incense stick. The colorful men (and a few women) are cheerful decoration items for the holidays. Incense burners represent various trades, such as baker or butcher, and also hunter, or shepherd. Santa is also a logical figure to be depicted as a Christmas smoker.

Mountain man smokerThe German incense burners are great collectible items. It is fun to display the incense smokers during the holidays. And the German smoker is a fun Christmas present for the husband or dad who “has everything”. More German Smokers.

Merry Christmas

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Nutcrackers, part 3

Monday, December 1st, 2008

Nutcrackers are a source of collectors fun. I guess I am starting to repeat myself, but I cannot hide my enthusiasm for Nutcrackers. I got the fever.

Anyone can create his own twist around the Nutcracker phenomena. There are so many Nutcrackers on the market that a collection will never be complete. Proof is the Leavenworth (WA) Nutcracker Museum that displays over 5000 nutcrackers from more than 40 countries. Take a look: Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

Holiday StampsAnd by-the-way, the US Post Office offers Nutcracker Holiday stamps this year. A great tribute to this popular Christmas decoration item. Four important Nutcrackers are represented: the king, the soldier, the musician and last but not least a Santa Nutcracker.

Need I say more about the popularity of the Nutcracker?

Merry Christmas

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Nutcrackers, part 2

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

In a previous blog I explained where the nutcracker came from. In the nineteenth century he developed from a pure utensil to a decorative fellow for the holiday season.

During the 1900′s the nutcracker was produced in two general groups. One included figures of local tradesmen, such as the hunter, the butcher, the bartender, etc. Nutcracker Ballet

The second group concentrated on the Nutcracker ballet and included the Nutcracker, the Mouse King, Drosselmeier, Clara and other players in Hoffmann’s story.

Both of these traditional types are still made today. Especially the last 10-20 years the Nutcracker became increasingly popular and this encouraged the producers to create all kinds of types and sizes of Nutcrackers. This in turn triggered a lot of people to start collecting Nutcrackers; just any Nutcracker they could find or well defined themes of Nutcracker figures.

* sports nutcrackers including baseball or football players from various teams, golf players, tennis players, skiers, any many other sports.
* trades and professions: policemen, firemen, military, cooks, bakers, waiter and almost any job you can think of. Santa collection
* Christmas theme Nutcrackers: Santa’s in modern or old-fashioned outfits, and even the real(!) Saint Nicholas. Also Snowmen in various shapes and position fit this category.
* There are also Nutcrackers for many other holidays: Uncle Sam nutcrackers for July 4th, pilgrim and Indian nutcrackers for Thanksgiving. Witches, skeleton and ghost nutcrackers for Halloween.

Nutcracker collection

The possibilities are endless and the Nutcracker is a wonderful topic for a collection.

Merry Christmas

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Nutcrackers, part 1

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Nutcrackers have become an additional type of Christmas decoration. With their colorful outfits they add joy and excitement to any holiday venue.
Nutcracker

Origin of the Nutcracker

The nutcracker started, as the name says, as a utensil for the cracking of nuts. Nuts were harvested during autumn and consumed during the winter months. Especially around the midwinter festivities the nuts were a treat for young and old. Since certain types of nuts are quite difficult to crack a nutcracker device was soon invented.
In the Bohemian region (Germany, Czechia, Poland) woodcarving was a hobby for the winter months. A thick layer of snow prevented any outdoor activity and so the Bohemians were hibernating and keeping themselves busy and useful indoors.
Some woodcarving artisan came up with the idea of transforming a nutcracker utensil into a wooden doll. Nuts were cracked by his “powerful teeth”operated by a handle in his back. So our nutcracker figure was born. Over time different figures were added to the family and various colors were applied and outfits were developed.

Nutcracker story

In 1816 the German writer Hoffmann published the story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King”. In the story a Nutcracker comes to life and gets involved in an adventure. This fairy tale speaks to the imagination of children as well as adults.

Nutcracker Ballet

The great Russian composer Tchaikovsky took Hoffmann’s story and developed it into a ballet. The stage setting is a livingroom with a Christmas tree and presents under the tree. One of the presents is a Nutcracker that becomes the main character of the ballet along with the Mouse King, the Sugar-Plum fairy, Fritz and Clara, an army of toy soldiers and others. The ballet was first performed in St Petersburg in 1892. In our time the music of the Nutcracker Suite and the Ballet are performed in many places around the world and are as popular as ever.The Nutcracker fits right in the romantic atmosphere of the Holiday season and has become an important decor piece of many homes and public spaces.

to be continued…..

Merry Christmas

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Christmas Collectibles

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Wintertime is the season for collections. People have to spend a lot of time inside the home and work on various hobbies. Collecting things has been a favorite hobby through the ages.

Interested in a new collection hobby? How about Christmas collectibles?
A Christmas related collection has a couple of major advantages.
1. Every year it automatically comes back into your attention
2. Since it is displayed for only 1-2 months each year, it is “new” every year
3. One never gets tired of the collection, as it will go back to the attic every January
4. It is a wonderful gift idea for your family and friends. They know of something to give you that they know will make you happy. (no returns needed)
5. Your collection will get the attention of the whole family.

TennisRacketsWhat Christmas collection can you start?

How about starting a Christmas tree ornament collection
* Santa tree ornaments
* Snowman ornaments
* Ball ornaments in a particular color or design
* Dog or cat ornaments

Christmas tree ornaments come in all shape and forms, so there is bound to be a topic that will interest you based on your profession or interest.

Lamppost

Holiday yard lights: Over the years your decorated front yard will fill up with deer, Santa and other holiday symbols, as well as lights and cheer.

Animals

Animated holiday animals: You know these stuffed animals that play Christmas carols or songs in either a serious or comical way. These are a favorite with your own kids as well as any visitor during the holiday season.

Mouse KingAnother suggestion is a Christmas Nutcracker collection. These are very colorful guys, that really liven up your home. You can display them around the Christmas tree, in front of the window, or any place where people will see them.

Enough ideas?

Let’s start a new collection!!!

Merry Christmas

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