Nutcrackers now come in every size from stocking stuffer to taller than a child, and most of the trouble with them comes from buying the wrong size for the spot. Get the height right and place them in pairs or deliberate groups, and even an inexpensive one looks good.

Sizes

12 to 15 inches. About the height of a wine bottle. (Slightly smaller 10-inch pairs (on Amazon) work on tables and shelves too.) Fits on bookshelves, side tables, consoles and windowsills. This is the size most people need. Buy them in pairs or threes; one on its own looks like it lost its partner. Three in descending heights (say 15, 12 and 10 inches) makes a nice step pattern.

24 inches. The mantel size. Big enough to hold its own next to garland and stockings without blocking the mirror or art above. Check the mantel depth first: most need 6 to 8 inches to stand steadily. On a shallow apartment mantel, use 15-inch ones instead.

36 inches. Floor size, beside a fireplace, a door or the tree. At this size, cheap paint and wobbly bases start to show. One pair is enough for most homes. Keep them against a wall, out of the path, especially if you have a dog with an enthusiastic tail.

48 to 60 inches. Porch size, made of weatherproof resin rather than wood. One on each side of the front door. A 5-foot figure catches the wind, so look for a hollow base you can fill with sand or plan to stake it. Make sure it’s actually rated for outdoors; indoor ones peel and warp after one rainstorm.

Five places that work

Either side of the front door. The classic. 36 inches for a standard door, 48 or more for a big entry. Set them slightly forward of the frame so they’re visible from the street.

Each end of the mantel. Two matching 24-inch nutcrackers with garland draped between them. If you only buy two, this is where they go. Whatever’s in between can vary, but the pair should match exactly.

The bottom of the stairs. A pair at the foot of the banister, framing the garland going up. Felt pads underneath protect the floor and stop them sliding when someone brushes by.

Beside the tree. 24 to 36-inch figures on either side of the tree base, angled very slightly toward it. They fill the empty floor around a slim tree. Keep them off the skirt so there’s still room for presents.

On the dining table. A pair of 12 to 15-inch nutcrackers flanking a low centerpiece, under 12 inches, so everyone can still see each other. They move to the sideboard after dinner in a few seconds.

Keeping it looking intentional

  • Pairs should match exactly: same uniform, same height, same finish. Groups of three or five can vary within one palette.
  • One color family. Red, green and gold; blue, silver and white; or black and gold. A red one next to a blue one next to a pastel one looks like a clearance shelf.
  • Odd numbers for mixed heights, descending. Never put a 15-inch and a 24-inch side by side as a “pair.”
  • Give them space. Nutcrackers are detailed and busy. A pair plus garland is enough; add reindeer, Santas and snowmen and it starts to look like a gift shop.

Storing them

Hats chip, arms snap and paint scratches, and none of it repairs invisibly. Wrap each one separately in bubble wrap or packing paper with extra around the hat, arms and anything sticking out. Store them standing up, not on their sides, which can warp the base over time. The original boxes are the best protection if you kept them. Label the boxes “fragile, this side up” and don’t stack anything on top. For the big porch figures, the original box on a garage shelf is really the only option, so measure the shelf before January.