Giant Christmas Figures: Outdoor Nutcrackers, Candy Canes and Reindeer

Giant Christmas figures turn an entrance, a shopping street or a town square into a winter scene within a single day. A nutcracker two metres tall beside the door, or a candy cane that rises 235 cm above the hedge, creates the mixture of wonder and anticipation that people associate with Advent. Casa Padrino, an international supplier of luxury furniture and decoration, gathers these motifs in the category Christmas sculptures: nutcrackers, candy canes, lollipops, giant baubles, reindeer and Santa Claus figures made of resin and fibreglass.

Unlike fairy lights and fir branches, which are arranged anew every year, large Christmas sculptures are a purchase for many winters. They give a property a recognisable face in the festive season. Regular visitors remember the nutcracker guard in front of the restaurant and expect to see it again the following year.

Giant Christmas figures: candy cane in white and red, 235 cm tall, by Casa Padrino

The giant candy cane in white and red stands 235 cm tall and can be seen from across the street. Pictured: Casa Padrino XXL decorative candy cane white / red H. 235 cm

What counts as a giant Christmas figure

In this range, giant means human scale and above. The nutcrackers measure 180 cm and 200 cm, the candy canes reach 235 cm, the lollipop stands at 200 cm, and the largest reindeer measures 200 cm. Baubles come with diameters of 75 cm and 100 cm and heights of 90 cm and 99 cm. Figures of this size are no longer ornaments. They are objects that shape a place and are read from a distance of twenty metres or more.

That distance is the reason for their size. A figure on a pavement, a forecourt or a market square has to hold its own against buildings, cars and street lighting. As a guide, the height of a figure in centimetres divided by ten gives the distance in metres from which it still reads clearly. A nutcracker of 200 cm therefore works from about twenty metres away.

Giant outdoor nutcrackers: guards and kings up to 200 cm

The nutcracker is the classic among giant Christmas figures. As a soldier with a tall hat or as a king with crown and sceptre, it stands upright, symmetrical and calm, which makes it ideal for a pair at a gateway. Casa Padrino offers the large outdoor nutcracker in red with gold, in blue with silver, entirely in gold, in mint green, in pink with white and in turquoise with pink.

For a front door or a shop entrance, a pair at 180 cm is usually sufficient. For a hotel portal, a town hall or the entrance to a Christmas market, the 200 cm version has the necessary presence. Many of the figures are described as weather resistant, and the details are given with each item. If you are planning for a hotel in particular, our guide to hotel Christmas decorations explains sizes, colours and lighting for lobby and entrance.

Giant outdoor nutcracker king in gold and many colours, 200 cm tall, by Casa Padrino

A nutcracker king in gold and many colours, 200 cm tall, as a guard at the entrance. Pictured: Casa Padrino luxury decorative sculpture nutcracker king multicolored / gold H. 200 cm

Candy canes, lollipops, baubles and bows

Sweets at giant scale are the most cheerful part of the range. The candy cane at 235 cm is available in white with red and in white with pink. It is slim, takes up little floor space and can be repeated in a row, which makes it suitable for avenues, paths and arcades. The lollipop at 200 cm, in white with red or in bright colours, adds a round shape to the composition.

Giant baubles lie on the ground as if they had fallen from an enormous tree. Three baubles of different sizes in gold, silver and red form a calm group that also works indoors. The bow, 140 cm wide in burgundy and gold, is mounted on a façade or above a gate and ties the scheme together.

Giant Christmas bauble in gold and silver, 99 cm high, by Casa Padrino

A giant bauble in gold and silver, 99 cm high, shown here as part of a group. Pictured: Casa Padrino luxury XXL decoration Christmas tree ball gold / silver H. 99 cm

Reindeer, stag and Santa Claus

Animals and figures bring movement into a display. The reindeer at 200 cm is a naturalistic sculpture that fits a garden, a park or a forecourt. Smaller reindeer and a golden roe deer suit entrances and terraces. Santa Claus is available in several sizes from 92 cm to 190 cm, with lantern, with bell or with a sack of presents.

Animal motifs have a practical advantage: they are not tied to the 24th of December. A reindeer or a stag can stay in place throughout the winter. Further motifs for the whole year are in the category deer sculptures.

Setting up outdoors: ground, wind and safety

Outdoor display begins with the ground. Each figure needs a firm, level surface such as paving, concrete or a timber platform. On lawn or gravel, a base plate hidden under bark or artificial snow distributes the load. Tall, slim pieces such as nutcrackers and candy canes offer the wind a large surface and should always be secured, either by fixing the base or with discreet ties to a wall or post.

Private entrance and front garden: one or two figures of 180 cm, a group of baubles by the steps.
Hotel, restaurant and café: a pair of nutcrackers at 200 cm at the door, candy canes along the approach.
Shopping street and arcade: a repeated motif every few metres, for example candy canes or lollipops.
Christmas market and town square: a scene with reindeer and Santa Claus as a meeting point and photo spot.
Department store and showroom: colourful nutcrackers and baubles as a backdrop for the merchandise.

In public spaces, keep escape routes, fire service access and pavements clear, and place figures where passers-by can walk around them. Where children are expected, choose a position that does not invite climbing.

Giant Christmas figures: Santa Claus with bell, 185 cm tall, by Casa Padrino

Santa Claus with bell, 185 cm tall, as a meeting point at a market or in a forecourt. Pictured: Casa Padrino luxury decorative sculpture Santa Claus with bell red / multicolored H. 185 cm

Light, colour and the view after dark

In December most people see a display in the dark. Two warm white spotlights per figure, at around 2,700 kelvin and aimed from the front at an angle, bring out faces and colours. Light from directly below produces hard shadows and should be avoided. A timer that switches the lighting on at dusk saves energy and effort.

Colour works best when it is limited. Red, green and gold give the traditional picture. White, silver and blue look wintry and cool. Pink and mint are a deliberate statement for fashion retail and modern hospitality. Whatever the scheme, repeat it in ribbons, baubles and lights so that the figures do not stand alone.

Timing, storage and care

Large figures should be in place by the middle of November, when the first Advent displays open. Plan the order well ahead and allow space for unpacking and two people for positioning. For the rest of the year the figures need a dry storage place where they can stand upright under a cover.

Resin and fibreglass are easy to care for. Dust is removed with a soft cloth, dirt with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Abrasives and pressure washers damage the paint and should not be used. Check fixings and base plates before each season. The full range of year round motifs is in the category resin and fibreglass sculptures.

Casa Padrino: festive decoration with presence

Casa Padrino supplies luxury furniture, lighting and decoration to private clients, hotels, restaurants and retailers in many countries, and delivers worldwide. Giant Christmas figures are part of this range, together with many other figures and statues and the complete selection of Christmas decoration.

Discover the whole range at www.casa-padrino.de/en.

Frequently asked questions about giant Christmas figures

How large are the giant Christmas figures from Casa Padrino?

Nutcrackers measure 180 cm and 200 cm, candy canes up to 235 cm, the lollipop 200 cm and the largest reindeer 200 cm. Baubles have diameters of 75 cm and 100 cm.

Can a giant nutcracker stand outdoors?

Many figures in resin and fibreglass are weather resistant. The information is given with each item. Outdoors, every tall figure should stand on level ground and be secured against wind.

Which colours are available for the nutcrackers?

Red with gold, blue with silver, gold, mint green, pink with white and turquoise with pink. This allows both a traditional and a modern colour scheme.