Christmas Decorations from the Erzgebirge

Our German candle pyramids are made in Seiffen by workshops whose history stretches back one hundred years and more. Sometimes called Christmas pyramids, carousels, or windmill pyramids, these are stunning works of traditional craftsmanship and a great way to light up your Christmas season.

The nutcrackers we offer are made by the same workshop (Fuechtner) that produced the original nutcracker in its now familiar form. Handsome and sturdy, they are both decorative and functional: you can really use them to crack nuts!

The incense-burning smoking men (or raeuchermaenner, to use the German term) are today one of the most collectible Christmas items from the Erzgebirge region. We are proud to offer the works of two Seiffen workshops, Fuechtner and Emmerich, whose work shows the variety of forms and subjects these smokers can take. And we think the new shepherd smoking man from Wolfgang Braun is a wonderful decoration the year through!

We light a new candle on our advent candle holder each Sunday before Christmas. It is one of the holiday customs our family most enjoys, and our advent candelabra are certain to become the center of your holiday tradition, too!

Candle arches (or Schwibbogen) are another export of the Erzgebirge region. Placed on your mantel or windowsill, they add a festive glow at nightfall. Both electric and candle-powered candle arches are available.

We are pleased to offer several nativity scenes. Children will love the Ostheimer nativity, which was designed for play. It is made on the same scale as the other Ostheimer toys, and so the scene may be added to with any other figures that fit your fancy. The Walter Werner creche scene is a masterpiece in miniature, a nativity that will be treasured for years to come.

And what would Christmas be without tree ornaments and angels? You will find a wide variety of each in these pages. From folk art angels that reflect the heritage of the Erzgebirge, to angel musicians for a heavenly orchestra, to Santas and snowmen, we have decorations for every taste. We have added straw stars to add a simple and beautiful touch to your tree, a decoration I remember well from my childhood.