The Nutcracker Lady Gift Shop consists of both new and gently pre-owned nutcrackers for sale and is part of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.
You'll find quality nutcrackers made by Steinbach, Ulbricht and many other famous German makers. If you're looking for a specific retired piece, you just might find it for sale at the Nutcracker Lady Gift Shop. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions at [email protected]
Since the pre-owned nutcrackers for sale in our shop are usually the only ones we have in stock, we do not offer our pre-owned inventory for sale in our online store. They must be purchased in person in our gift shop
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1 NEW LOCATION
1.1 Is this the same gift shop that used to be located upstairs?
YES!
It is the same gift shop that was on the second level wit the museum. It is still part of the Nutcracker Museum, a non-profit organization, and proceeds from the gift shop help support the Nutcracker Museum.
1.2 Does the museum still take donations of nutcrackers?
Yes we do. You'll want to contact us and ask for the museum curator for details..
2 SHIPPING
2.1 When will my order be shipped?
Orders received after 4:00pm are processed the following business day.
2.2 How will my order be shipped?
Our preferred carrier for shipping is the United States Post Office.
2.3 Can you ship to a PO. Box?
We require a physical address for shipping.
3 NUTCRACKERS
3.1 Why are they called wooden toy soldier nutcrackers?
Because the first nutcrackers were made as replicas of soldiers and other figures of authority. The common folk took great enjoyment in having the ruling people working for them, cracking their "hard nuts of life". The term "wooden toy soldier" differentiates this type of nutcracker from the other types. We call it a nutcracker if it has a handle in the back that opens the mouth, even if it is too small to actually crack a nut. Parts of the wooden toy soldier are turned on a lathe, as versus the intricate hand carved design.
3.2 Who made the first wooden toy soldier nutcrackers?
Although Seiffen in the Erzgebirge region of Germany is generally considered the birthplace of the wooden toy soldier nutcracker, many authorities believe it first appeared in Sonnenberg in the Thuringia region of Germany. In 1872, Wilhelm Fuchtner of Seiffen, known as "the father of the nutcrackers", began the first commercial production of nutcrackers making multiple figures from the same basic design.
3.3 Why are nutcrackers so expensive?
It takes over 130 steps to make a nutcracker from the cutting of the wood to the finished product. Read about "How to Make a Nutcracker" and watch the slide show on our sister website. You will gain an insight into the complexity involved. German nutcrackers are made from quality products, and by skilled workers who have trained several years in the craft.
3.4 Do the wooden toy soldier nutcrackers actually crack nuts?
The wooden toy soldier nutcrackers were initially made to crack nuts, and since they did crack nuts for the family, it is very difficult to find an old nutcracker in good condition. It was only after people started collecting the wooden toy soldiers that the makers began creating the solely as a decoration. Several makers still make them sturdy enough to crack a small nut, but usually people do not want to have the paint damaged so will use a mechanical nutcracker to do the work.
3.5 Where can I get get my nutcracker repaired or find parts?
The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum does not do repairs. If you are missing a part, feel free to check with our "Nutcracker Lady" to see if she may have the part you are looking for. Email her at [email protected]. Online you can find a few places that will do repairs on your nutcracker. However, always use due diligence when trusting your valued piece with someone you do not know.
4 DISCOUNTS
4.1 Is there a discount in the gift shop for military?
NO
Only the museum offers military discounts.
