Nutcrackers

A portion of Alli's nutcracker collection

About four years ago, my daughter started collecting nutcrackers at Christmas.  Three years ago, she asked for a dog nutcracker on her Christmas list.  She didn't want a metal nutcracker; she wanted a wooden nutcracker, like the kind from the musical that we had seen by the Long Beach Ballet Company the prior year.  I figured that wouldn't be too hard to find; after all, Target sells nutcrackers, and so do JoAnns, and Michaels, and dozens of other stores.  But guess what?  No one had a dog nutcracker.  Michaels had the closest thing- a bear.  They even had a frog and a pig, but no dog.  Disappointed, I told Alli the bad news- I had searched and searched, and there just weren't any dog nutcrackers to be found.  "No problem," she had said, "Santa can make one."  And you know what?  He did.  He brought her a dog nutcracker, wearing a Queen's Guard uniform, no less, to commemorate our upcoming trip to England.  When Alli unwrapped that gift, she looked right at me and mouthed, "See?"  She knew Santa would not fail her.

Queen's Guard "custom" dog nutcracker

The next year, when asked what she wanted, she said she wanted a "Me nutcracker."  "A what?" I had asked.  "A me nutcracker.  An Alli nutcracker.  Santa made the dog nutcracker; he can make an Alli nutcracker."  Again, come Christmas morning, she was right.  There was an Alli nutcracker waiting for her under the tree, complete with a black electric guitar, a purple striped cardigan just like the one she always wore, and a crocheted cap to match the one that she wore almost daily. Triumph, again.

Alli nutcracker

Complete with her black electric guitar

Taylor the cat, hanging out

Last year Alli asked for a Jack Skellington nutcracker, and last year, Santa once again delivered.  He's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself (the jack nutcracker, I mean).

Jack Skellington

Nightmare Before Christmas custom nutcracker

Close-up of Nightmare wreath

Close-up of Nightmare-inspired
presents at base of Jack nutcracker

This year she has asked for two special nutcrackers; I guess we will have to wait to see what Santa delivers this time.  I know Alli is looking forward to it, and I know I can't wait to see her face when she sees what he brings this year.