I’ve always loved Christmas, like many people do! But there’s something that really sticks out to me about the holiday. It’s not decorating the tree or giving/getting presents. Not looking at lights or ugly sweaters or anything like that. My all-time favorite part of Christmas (other than being with my family, of course) is “The Nutcracker” ballet.
Now, I know it isn’t the most traditional part of Christmas, some people never even go see the ballet. But I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s the story of a young girl named Clara (or Marie, depending on the show) who receives a nutcracker for Christmas from her mysterious Godfather, Drosselmeyer. At night, the nutcracker comes alive and protects Clara from the rat king (or queen, once again, depends on the show). Clara ends up defeating the rat king by kicking off her slipper, but the nutcracker is hit. The nutcracker ends up turning into a real guy. A prince! He whisks Clara off to his kingdom. Then, all the different candies and sweets of the kingdom dances before Clara as a “thank you” for defeating the rat king. This all leads up to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Then the prince takes Clara back home. The ending’s up to you!
There’s this beautiful scene, one of my favorites, where the Christmas tree grows. I’m not kidding! It grows on stage. Drosselmeyer uses his magic to make it grow. Clara/Marie runs around the stage as the music gets louder and louder. The tree in the background begins to get taller and taller. The music hits a beautiful spot as Clara/Marie gazes up at the huge tree. It’s to show that she’s gotten smaller, down to a toy’s size. Every time I see it, I’m basically out of my seat. It’s gorgeous, it’s always so well done.
There’s something about this show that has entranced me since I was really young. I have pictures of elementary me holding my dressed up American Girl doll while watching the show. I’ve always adored ballet and I love watching it, especially when one of my friends was in it. The costumes are beautiful and colorful, the movements are always so smooth and on-point. It’s always the most beautiful thing I see during the season. The story of “The Nutcracker” is so fascinating to me; I feel like it shows what christmases were like in the past. The dances they did, the festivities, the dolls and the presents. You feel the warmness coming off of the family.
I watch “The Nutcracker” every year and it never fails to disappoint. Ever since 2010, I’ve started collecting Nutcrackers. So far, I have 14 nutcrackers that I love dearly. My mom buys me one and sets it out every Christmas. It’s honestly magical. This ballet introduced an amazing tradition into my household. I’m so excited to continue this tradition and receive my 15th nutcracker.
This article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the music. “The Nutcracker” was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The Tchaikovsky. This man has been writing beats since he was 4 years old. Whether you know it or not, you have heard a Tchaikovsky song — even if you’re not all that interested in classical music. He is quite literally the man. The way he wrote “The Nutcracker” is just … perfect. This ballet perfectly encapsulates the holiday spirit. The crescendos in some of the songs are my favorite, they always steal my breath away.
The music is beautiful. The ballet is beautiful. Everything is just … beautiful.
As an added bonus, all the ballerinas are always so unbelievably talented. They always work so hard to make this ballet look charming and lovely. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some ballerinas throughout the various shows I’ve been to. They’re always so sweet and humble. These ballerinas always make this show work. Ballet is not easy, it’s hard on your body. But the ballerinas always look so elegant and spectacular on stage.
The ballerinas aren’t the only ones working hard, the orchestra also works very hard. Tchaikovsky is famously hard to play, but they always play it so wondrously. I love listening to them. Sometimes, especially during the beginning when no one is onstage, I close my eyes and just listen. They work unbelievably hard, and it seems like they are always left out of the praise. But they deserve so much.
From the bottom to the top. This ballet is my favorite part of the holiday season. I look forward to it every year and I always enjoy watching it. Even when COVID hit, I watched every YouTube video I could find displaying it. Those videos are still up for anyone who wants to enjoy it! If you want to watch the ballet, but don’t have the money to, just find it on YouTube. Trust me, it’s worth it. I hope you love this amazing ballet as much as I do.
Happy Holidays!