I have always liked the traditional feel that Christmas can bring. Old handmade, handed down ornament. Family traditions. And the things that go with the holidays. Like nutcrackers. Growing up, we had a nutcracker that was very old. Like fall apart if you even looked at it old. Very traditional looking, very European. He has a beard, a black hat, and a rifle on his shoulder. Like the nutcracker from The Nutcracker. It was never used to crack nuts like it's original purpose. I always thought that it was the coolest decoration that we had.
So I have been disappointed the past few years at work when different kinds of nutcrackers have been produced. Firefighters, army men, policemen, teachers, etc. Even other holidays have nutcrackers. Halloween themed nutcrackers are making their appearance. Vampires, mummies, frankenstein's monster. All sullying the traditional feel and purpose of the nutcracker.
We have two nutcrackers that are meant to be decorations and they look very traditional. A nice throw back to a part of my childhood during the month of December. I'm sure that there are people buying these new themed nutcrackers and they will eventually be a part of their child or children's memories and traditions for Christmas, but doesn't fit in my mind.
In the end, it doesn't really matter as long as the tradition continues to be passed down from generation to generation because that is what being a family is all about. Christmas in part is about family. And families pass things onto the next generation. That's what a tradition is.
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