In 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.
The 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
And 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.