Byers Choice 7-Headed Mouse King

While not a nutcracker itself, this Seven-headed Mouse King is a unique piece that Nutty for Nutcrackers has on display. Made in 1997 by Byers Choice, the figurine brings to life the formidable villain from Tchaikovsky's 1892 Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Like the popular ballet, Byers Choice carolers have been a beloved Christmas tradition for many households. The company was founded in the late 1960s by Joyce Byers, who had been disappointed with the lack of warmth and character in modern Christmas decorations, so she began crafting festive caroler figurines from her dining room table. Joyce sold some of the figurines at a local store, which happened to be part of a federation of Women’s Exchanges, and soon, dozens of stores across the country were requesting carolers to sell. With the help of her husband and two sons, the company gained more traction, quickly outgrowing Joyce’s dining room table, and by 1978, they were able to hire their first employee. Today, the family employs a team of 40 artisans, all handcrafting the joyful figurines with the same Christmas spirit. While Byer’s Choice is most well known for their Christmas carolers, they also create figurines based on historical figures and other themed holidays as well as take inspiration from popular characters from literature like the Mouse King.