Every year at this time, my mom takes my kids to see The Nutcracker Ballet. She started doing this when I was smaller - we’d make a big night of it - dressing up, going to dinner, and then, going to Ruth Eckerd Hall to see the ballet. I actually took ballet, and even en pointe, so seeing REAL ballet dancers dance to some of my favorite music was a treat.

Anne-Marie at A Readable Feast is thinking about taking her kids to see The Nutcracker on stage, but I agree with her that they may still be a bit young. It helps to be an inspiring prima ballerina, also! If going to see the ballet is too much, you can read the book instead. If your kids are too young for that, check out Anne-Marie’s list of perfect books for baby’s first Christmas!

Christmas and The Nutcracker…they just go hand in hand for me. I may need to pull out my CD tomorrow and dream about Sugar Plum Fairies…