The Nutcracker

Top notes of orange zest and creamy coconut melt into heart notes of chestnut, walnut, white ginger and clove, leaving you with indulgent base notes of vanilla, sugar and musk. Imagine the rich scent of freshly roasted chestnuts being poured into a bowl with walnuts, ginger and spices. The perfect festive snack on the coffee table as you settle down for the evening. 

Our wax melts are handcrafted for book lovers who want to bring their favourite stories to life through scent. Inspired by classic literature and popular genres, each bar is made from a natural blend of rapeseed and coconut wax; a sustainable, clean-burning alternative.

These book inspired wax melts are perfect for enhancing your reading space, gifting to fellow bookworms, or adding a cosy, personal touch to any home. Whether you're diving into a romance, a gothic tale, or a cosy mystery, there's a scent to match every chapter.

Literary wax melts make the perfect book lover gift; thoughtful, beautifully made, and designed to turn every story into a sensory experience.

Our The Nutcracker products

We take the time to craft our exclusive custom products with carefully designed moulds for our lit lovers. We use a rapeseed and coconut wax blend to enhance our sustainability and scent throw and all of our wax products are made with only the highest quality, cruelty-free fragrance oils and mica powders that are obtained from pure natural minerals and ores to give a beautiful shimmer. You can read more about our ingredients on our wax melt products.

The Nutcracker Facts and FAQs

What is The Nutcracker about?

The Nutcracker is a fantastical story originally written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, titled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It tells the tale of a young girl named Marie (or Clara, in later adaptations), who receives a wooden nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. That night, the nutcracker comes to life and battles the evil Mouse King before whisking Marie away to a magical kingdom. The story blends wonder, fear, and transformation in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Who wrote The Nutcracker?

The Nutcracker was originally written by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann, a master of Romantic and Gothic fantasy. His version, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, is more eerie and psychological than the ballet most people are familiar with. The story was later adapted by Alexandre Dumas into a more child-friendly version, which became the basis for Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet.

When was The Nutcracker written?

Hoffmann’s original version was published in 1816. Alexandre Dumas’s French adaptation followed in 1844, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet debuted in 1892 in St. Petersburg. Over time, the ballet became a beloved holiday tradition, especially in English-speaking countries.

Is The Nutcracker based on a true story?

No, The Nutcracker is a work of fantasy. It reflects themes from German Romanticism, such as the tension between childhood innocence and adult perception, dreams versus reality, and the unsettling beauty of the uncanny. Hoffmann’s tale invites readers to embrace imagination while questioning what lies beneath the surface of everyday life.

What’s the difference between the story and the ballet?

Hoffmann’s original tale is darker, stranger, and more complex than the ballet adaptation. It includes rich backstory for the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, including a curse, a tragic transformation, and more philosophical undertones. The ballet, based on Dumas’s softened version, focuses more on spectacle and wonder, particularly in the second act, which takes place in the Land of Sweets.

Is The Nutcracker in the public domain?

Yes. Both Hoffmann’s original story and Dumas’s adaptation are in the public domain, as are most productions of the Tchaikovsky ballet. This has allowed the tale to be reimagined in countless books, performances, toys, and holiday-themed gifts around the world.

What are some famous quotes from The Nutcracker?

Because Hoffmann’s original story is less widely read than the ballet is performed, it doesn’t have many 'household' quotes. However, evocative lines include:
“Time and again, Marie opened the cupboard, gazing at her Nutcracker with tender admiration.”
“She was not frightened, only curious.”
These capture the gentle wonder and underlying strangeness of the original tale.

Do you sell The Nutcracker-inspired gifts?

Yes! Our The Nutcracker collection includes wax melts and literary gifts inspired by Hoffmann’s enchanted world. With fragrances that evoke winter spice, sugarplum sweets, and candlelit storytelling, these gifts are perfect for the festive season or for anyone who loves fairy tales with a gothic twist.

Where is The Nutcracker set?

The story begins in a middle-class German household during a Christmas Eve party. After the magical transformation, the setting shifts to surreal spaces — including the Nutcracker’s battlefield and the sparkling kingdom ruled by toys and sweets. The ballet adaptation expands these dreamlike settings into full theatrical fantasy.

What inspired Hoffmann to write The Nutcracker?

Hoffmann was inspired by folklore, childhood psychology, and the blurred line between dreams and reality. A lawyer by profession and a composer by passion, he brought a uniquely dark and musical quality to his tales. The Nutcracker reflects his fascination with mechanical toys, eerie transformations, and the resilience of the imagination.

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