Steinbach Candy Cane Choir Master SIGNED German Nutcracker - introduced in 2006, the Candy Cane Choir Master Steinbach Nutcracker is the first piece in the Christmas Traditions Series. Approximately 18" tall, Limited Edition of 7,500 pieces, Handsigned by Karla Steinbach. Introduced in 2006 The Legend of the Candy Cane
According to folklore, in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks to the parishioners to help pass time during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of this occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherd's crooks. Later, in 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the red and white stripes and peppermint flavors became the norm. The clergyman's custom of handing out candy canes during Christmas service spread throughout Europe and later America.