Few figures say Christmas quite like the nutcracker. Rooted in German folk tradition and made famous by Tchaikovsky's ballet, these little soldiers have stood guard over festive homes for generations, and this one carries that heritage with a cheerful twist.

Dressed in a glossy red tunic with a green panel and gold trim, he wears a jewelled crown topped with a silver finial, frosted silver epaulettes and studded green boots. His snowy beard and moustache are picked out in fine detail, and he clutches a red and white candy-striped sceptre. He stands on a round red base edged in green and gold stripes.

It's a Christmas nutcracker figure that makes a lovely festive gift, or the start of a collection to bring out year after year.