The holidays are a wonderful patchwork of family rituals, recipes passed down through generations, and small decorative touches that turn a house into home. Whether your family lights a candle for each Sunday of Advent, hangs handmade ornaments from travels, or always tops the tree with an angel, those rituals are the real heart of Christmas. This year we’re taking a stroll through several beloved Christmas traditions…tree-topping, German holiday customs, classic nutcracker displays, and the comfort of seasonal recipes served from tiered trays…and pairing each tradition with charming, in-stock decor from Decor Steals to help you celebrate in style.
In this post you’ll find:
- German holiday traditions — pyramids, scenes, and why they matter
- Tree-topping traditions — toppers that tell a story
- Nutcrackers through history — soldiered guardians for mantels and porches
- Tiered trays & recipes — how food and display become ritual
- Putting it all together: a holiday vignette + shopping list
German Holiday Traditions
Germany has given the world many iconic holiday traditions: Advent calendars, nutcrackers, and those beautiful wooden Christmas pyramids that rotate with the warmth of candles (or with electrical motors in modern versions). The Christmas pyramid is a carousel-style, tiered wooden scene originating in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). It’s part decoration and part kinetic centerpiece that invites people to gather and watch it turn. For a classic, cultural touch consider a German-style pyramid to bring that Old-World, storybook feeling into your holiday setup.
Pairing Idea: If you’re leaning into European traditions this season, place a wooden scene, German-inspired figurine, or pyramid-style piece near your mantel or entry table to create a focal point that’s both decorative and conversational.
Tree-Topping Traditions
For many families, choosing the tree topper is one of those small rituals that becomes a storytelling moment. Some households always reach for an heirloom angel; others pick a whimsical character to match the year’s theme. Snowman toppers are a playful modern alternative to angels and stars, and they bring instant personality to the tree. If you want a light-up, smile-inducing topper, check out the Whimsical Snowman Tree Topper that’s light in materials but big in charm.
Decor Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix a novelty topper (like a snowman) with heirloom ornaments. The contrast tells the story of old and new traditions in your home.
Nutcracker Folklore
Nutcrackers have been part of European holiday lore for centuries; over time they evolved from functioning nutcrackers to whimsical and oversized display pieces connected to the ballet The Nutcracker and family holiday displays. Decor Steals carries a variety of nutcracker pieces, from standing nutcrackers with LED accents that glow on a mantel to oversized statuary perfect for porches and entryways. Here are a few picks you can shop now:
- Bronze Nutcracker Serving Bowl | Brilliant Centerpiece Collection
- Regal Bronze Nutcracker Finials, Set of 2
- Bronzed Nutcracker Candleholder, Set of 2
- Nutcracker Candle
Tradition Note: Nutcrackers were traditionally believed to bring good luck and protection. Adding them to your holiday décor is a fun nod to that folklore.
Tiered Trays & Recipes
Food is ritual. The cookies you bake on Christmas Eve, the spiced nuts passed around by the tree, and grandma’s cranberry relish are all part of how we celebrate. Tiered trays have become the modern stage for those edible traditions: they let you display treats, mini desserts, or a rotating set of décor vignettes. Think: cookies on one tier, tiny ornaments on the next, and a pinecone/gardenia vignette on the top.
Decor Steals has a robust collection of tiered trays in multiple materials and sizes:
- Peppermint 3-Tier Tree Stand
- Santa Claus 3-Tier Metal Serving Stand | 42 Inch Festive Showstopper
- Rustic Wood Gingerbread Village Tiered Cake Stand, Set of 2
- 26 Inch Three Tier Gingerbread Village Serving Stand
- Timeworn Curved Frame Tiered Tray
- Nesting Corrugated Metal Tray Risers, Set of 2
- Tabletop Round Wood Serving Tray with Cloche
- Fluted Wooden Display Trays, Set of Two
- Distressed Iron Intricate Cut Out Round Display Stands, Set of 3
Recipe idea to display: stack a few thumbprint cookies on the middle tier, sugared cranberries on the top, and mini gingerbread men on the bottom for a festive, layered look. Using a tiered tray turns serving into ceremony, guests can graze and chat, and the tray becomes part of the memory. Or create an epic hot cocoa bar (read more here) or a serve a delicious spice cake (get the recipe here).
Putting It All Together
Here’s a simple vignette that weaves the traditions above into a cohesive display:
- Place a light-up snowman tree topper or the whimsical snowman at the top of your tree for an approachable, family-friendly focal point.
- On the mantel, pair a small German-style scene or pyramid-inspired decoration with a standing LED nutcracker and a bronze nutcracker serving bowl to nod to European tradition and story.
- On the side table, stage a Timeworn Curved Frame Tiered Tray loaded with cookies and a tiny jar of hot cocoa mix; add small pine sprigs and a mini nutcracker candleholder for charm.
Quick Shopping List
- Whimsical Snowman Tree Topper
- Traditional Wooden Christmas Pyramid Candle Holder with Rotating Platform
- Regal Bronze Nutcracker Finials, Set of 2
- Bronzed Nutcracker Candleholder, Set of 2
- Peppermint 3-Tier Tree Stand
- Santa Claus 3-Tier Metal Serving Stand | 42 Inch Festive Showstopper
- Rustic Wood Gingerbread Village Tiered Cake Stand, Set of 2
- 26 Inch Three Tier Gingerbread Village Serving Stand
- Timeworn Curved Frame Tiered Tray
- Nesting Corrugated Metal Tray Risers, Set of 2
- Tabletop Round Wood Serving Tray with Cloche
- Fluted Wooden Display Trays, Set of Two
- Distressed Iron Intricate Cut Out Round Display Stands, Set of 3
Final Thoughts
Traditions are what turn seasonal décor into family memory. This Christmas, pick one small new ritual, maybe a special cookie you display on a tiered tray, or a tree topper chosen by rotating kid-curators each year, and pair it with a piece that’ll last. Decor Steals makes it easy to mix heirloom-style and whimsical modern pieces so your home can tell the story of this Christmas, and the many that came before it.
Explore the Decor Steals Holiday Collection for more festive finds, and visit the Decor Steals Journal for seasonal styling tips, DIYs, recipes, and inspiration to make your holidays beautifully memorable.
Jilly Gray
I’m interested in multiple Decor Steals items posted on the site. . You all carry my favorite decor furniture benches and storage plants baskets
mirrors woven baskets rugs. I’ve had these early appointments with u girl. Love u
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Decor Steals replied:
You have amazing taste, Jilly — sounds like you’ve basically created the ultimate Decor Steals dream list! 😍 Benches, baskets, mirrors, rugs… you’re speaking our love language. We totally get it — those steals have a way of calling your name (and maybe your cart 👀). If you’ve got your eye on a few favorites, don’t wait too long — our steals change daily and once they’re gone, they’re gone! But here’s the good news: there’s a new treasure waiting for you every single morning. ✨