Souvenirs for Christmas romantics
From nutcrackers to incense smokers, handcrafted products from the Erzgebirge region are among the most popular decorations during the Christmas season – also in the USA.
If Father Christmas wanted to open a new workshop, he would probably steer his sleigh to Germany’s Erzgebirge. This mountainous region of Saxony is the home of what must be the best known German craft workers. Over the last century manufactories in the Erzgebirge have continuously increased their production of nutcrackers and Christmas pyramids to satisfy the growing demand from all over the world. Skilled woodcarvers are kept busy all year round making small figures like incense smokers, while Christmas tablecloths and napkins are designed and produced by drapers and lacemakers. Small family firms attract custom by producing light carousels with Christmas motifs, window decorations with arches of lights and wooden Christmas tree decorations.
This year, the Verband Erzgebirgischer Kunsthandwerker und Spielzeughersteller, the regional association of craftsmen and toymakers, again expects sales growth in foreign markets. It is estimated that the value of exports of Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirge to the USA will rise to ten million euros in 2012 – roughly half a million euros more than in 2011. Nutcrackers, according to the association, are normally the most popular decorative items. However, Christmas pyramids are also selling very well, says Tammara Rynerson Oswald, the owner of Sachsen Imports in the USA.
German manufacturers of decorative products are hoping that consumers will be spending more during the 2012 Christmas season, because that is when the companies achieve their highest annual sales. Tammara Rynerson Oswald wants to help to ensure that traditional handcrafted products from Germany continue to decorate American living rooms at Christmas time.
www.sachsenimports.com
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