| Many of the Christmas traditions that are today | | | | of the ballet is also attributed to the popularity of the |
| celebrated in countries around the world began in | | | | toy soldier Nutcracker, probably the most recognizable |
| German-speaking countries. | | | | Nutcracker figure around the world. |
| Advent Calendars (Adventskalendars) | | | | German Smoking Men (Räuchermänner) |
| Advent is the 24-day period that anticipates the | | | | During the early to mid-1600s, it was commonly |
| celebration of the birth of Christ. In the 1800s, German | | | | believed that evil spirits came out on "Die |
| Lutherans would count down the days until Christmas | | | | Rauhnächte, or "Raunacht" (the longest night of the |
| by marking each day with a chalk line on the door. | | | | year), close to the Christmas holidays. Noise and light |
| Some lit a new candle for each day of Advent, and | | | | was said to drive away these evil spirits and protect |
| others hung little religious pictures on the wall. | | | | the people inside the home. One tradition that |
| The first known Advent Calendar was handmade in | | | | developed as a part of this, and as an extension of |
| 1851, and the first commercially printed calendar was | | | | Christian religious practices, was the burning of incense |
| produced in 1908. The Advent Calendar was at first a | | | | to bless German homes. At first, incense was simply |
| simple card with a paper backing, with 24 windows on | | | | burned on a tin plate, but as the tradition developed, |
| the face that revealed different Bible verses and | | | | people thought of more inventive ways to offer their |
| Christmas scenes and symbols when opened. A | | | | blessing. |
| window was opened each day over the 24-day | | | | The "Smoking Man" became a decorative and |
| period leading up to Christmas Eve ("Heiligabend"). | | | | common way to burn incense. Hollowed-out figurines |
| Other Adventskalendars were fashioned from sheets | | | | were created that came apart at the middle and held |
| of cloth with pockets that were filled with candy or | | | | a tin plate inside to hold incense. When the incense |
| small gifts. | | | | was lit and placed on the plate, smoke would curl out |
| Most Advent Calendars today are made for children | | | | of a hole carved in the mouth to resemble a man |
| and reveal pieces of chocolate behind their windows. | | | | smoking a pipe. |
| As in the past, some windows include a poem, picture, | | | | The first Smoking Men were carved to resemble |
| prayer or part of a story. While most Advent | | | | people who could be found around any local village, |
| Calendars are shaped like cards, some are | | | | such as bakers and other tradespeople. As the figures |
| three-dimensional models and are made to look like | | | | evolved, they were limited only to the creators' |
| buildings or figures. | | | | imaginations, and today can be found in many styles |
| Nutcrackers (Nussknackers) | | | | and variations, especially Christmas themes such as |
| Nutcrackers as we know them today originated in the | | | | Santa Claus and snowmen. |
| Erzgebirge area of Germany around the 16th century. | | | | Christmas Trees |
| Over the years, they became popular children's toys | | | | The Christmas Tree, or "Weinachtsbaum," is a popular |
| and collectible items. | | | | tradition that began in Europe but is now found in |
| People also traditionally gave Nutcrackers as | | | | countries around the world. |
| keepsakes to bring good luck to friends and family and | | | | In the 7th century, a monk traveled around Germany |
| protect their homes from evil spirits and danger. | | | | and nearby countries converting people to Christianity. |
| The Nutcracker became a part of popular culture | | | | According to legend, like St. Patrick did with the |
| beginning with the novel "The Nutcracker and the King | | | | shamrock, the monk used the fir tree's triangular shape |
| of Mice" ("Nussknacker und Mausekönig"), which told | | | | to teach the people about the Holy Trinity. The fir tree |
| the fairy tale of a prince Nutcracker who comes to life. | | | | ("Tannenbaum") became a symbol of Christianity and |
| The novel was the basis for the composer Peter | | | | was decorated and hung upside down from ceilings at |
| Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," a ballet which is | | | | Christmas in central European countries to celebrate |
| often performed around the Christmas. The popularity | | | | the birth of Christ. |