Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Melekalikimaka, メリークリスマス, and all the other ways of wishing you and yours a wonderful day, this Christmas Eve. One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is being able to bring out my nutcracker collection. For me nutcrackers embody all that is magical about Christmas. This year this was the photo on my holiday card. Below are the messages in side.
The traditional Nutcracker, most commonly portrayed as a guard, is a symbol of wishing you and yours a happy holiday season filled with the magic of hope, joy and love while being protected from the travails of life.
The Magical Flight of Imagination: I was 11 years old when The Nutcracker Ballet featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov premiered on network TV. I was instantly captivated. Since then Nutcrackers signify all that is magical about the holiday season.
True Magic: When I was in college, the Tulsa Ballet performed on campus. We entered the theater with a clear night above, but exited with a soft falling of snow. The wonder of it still captivates me.
Family Magic: When my family sees a Nutcracker, I know that they think of me, as I have been the gracious recipient of some of those sightings.
Storytelling Magic: Last year, for my annual Holiday Mother Daughter Tea, I was inspired by the Nutcracker to create a story to explain the Sugar Plum Fairy’s dance with her consort when no mention of a consort predates the dance.
These photos were taken at the gift shop at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in October 2016. I often go to Las Vegas in the fall around my birthday, we enjoy seeing a show, the 24 hour buffet pass and relaxing with friends. One of my favorite side things to do is visit the Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Even in Las Vegas I find a garden to visit. Actually there are several that I always spend time enjoying--the birds at the Flamingo always get a visit as well to walk off their particularly good breakfast cafe--by that I mean that they serve lox.
The gift shop next to the Conservatory was jam packed with holiday merch. My dear friend Elaine and I enjoyed checking out all the bright and colorful holiday decorations. Being amazing by the intricately detailed ornaments and displays brought us quite a bit of fun, that afternoon. Soon I spotted several nutcrackers and was off in my own wonderland as I captured them with my camera. The one featured was sent out on my second round of Christmas cards, the one below was on the first round. The 3rd one did not make it on a card this year, but sill I find him quite whimsical and might be featured on my holiday card next year. This year, Elaine received her card, she asked if the photo was from the gift shop. When I said it was, for a few minutes we relived that enjoyable afternoon spent with those I treasure-the true meaning of Christmas.