Whats the deal with Nutcrackers?

My mom has a thing for wooden nut crackers. I personally think she has gone crackers, but thats another post. She has a collection of these things that she hauls out every year as part of the elaborate decorating scheme she has going. Now don't get me wrong, the house looks great with with the spirit of Christmas, but those creapy wooden soldiers with their blank stares start to freak me out. All I can think of is that they burst into life once the lights are out and they come into my room and stare at me while I sleep.