Nutcracker- A Family Tradition

One of the reasons for this blog is to help me preserve our family's ballet memories.

Now, the Nutcracker defines
our winter holiday season
(from Thanksgiving to New Years).

Our family often bases our travel plans
around rehearsals at Thanksgiving;
and then,
visiting plans for December
are based on which
side of the extended families
has been most neglected
due to ballet schedules
throughout the year.

We have not had a Christmas tree in our house since 1999.

Due to weather in 2000,
we managed to buy one
and immediately had to put it on the porch
because ice cycles had begun to form.
(That tree stayed green until February
and was still green when my husband
thought it was time to put it on the street
because it was Valentine's Day).

Due to my husband's overseas travel schedule in 2001,
we managed to get one
in time to put it in the back
of our new pick-up truck
(and used battery powered lights)
before having to travel out-of-town
for family visits.

From 2002 to the present,
we have not had a family Christmas tree
because of Nutcracker.

My children have their own miniature trees,
but at some point,
they decided not to put up
their trees every year.

My children have been able to help decorate
their grandparents' Christmas trees,
but in general,
they don't seem to miss that particular tradition.

To us,
Nutcracker
and
traveling to see relatives
makes for great family traditions.