Marzipan Nutcracker

Marzipan Nutcracker

Celebrating a German Christmas in the Hill Country

<p>All across the state of Texas we can find many different types of cultures and people originating from regions across the world. Some of the more predominant cultures we will find in Texas are the Spanish, Swedish, and German. In the hill country you will find many German roots. With so many differing cultures expanding the state, we have the privilege to learn about other cultural traditions especially during the holidays. Because the hill country was settled by the Germans, here is a brief look at how the Germans celebrate Christmas.
<p>In Germany, Christmas is celebrated throughout the entire month of December beginning with the lighting of the advent calendar. During the course of the month families will prepare for holiday dinners by baking cookies and traditional German breads served on Christmas eve and Christmas day. On December 6th, formally known as Saint Nicholas Day, children receive a special visit from Saint Nicholas. On the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, children will place a shoe or boot near the fireplace and wait for Saint Nicholas to fill their shoes with treats and goodies such as nuts, chocolates, and fruits. If the children were bad, their shoes will be filled with twigs. As the month progresses, each Sunday families will continue to light an advent candle until Christmas day.
<p>Do you like to play jokes on your friends or tease them? Well the Germans certainly do. December 21st is known as Saint Thomas Day. If you wake up late or are late to work, your friends will be happy to give you the Thomas Donkey. The Thomas Donkey is a cardboard donkey which you are to carry around all day. With the donkey in hand you are now the subject of many humorous jokes throughout the day.
<p>In German tradition, it is not until Christmas Eve that the tree is presented. The tree will then be decorated with fruits, ornaments, tinsel, candy, nuts, toys, and lights. Traditional German decorations include nutcrackers, lots of tinsel, Christmas pyramids, and ornate nativity scenes. Upon presentation of the tree, in the evening families will gather to sing Christmas carols, light sparklers, and read the Christmas story together. A traditional Christmas Eve dinner usually consists of fish, specifically Carp, warm German potato salad, and a few of the traditional breads. On Christmas day families will gather again to enjoy a fine meal of roasted goose, Christstollen bread, spice bars, marzipan, and good company. Whether you are celebrating your holiday season in the hill country or want to spread some of that hill country cheer, remember to take along with you the spirit of the German celebrations and heritage.

About the Author

Deborah Allen is a sales counselor at Ranches of Brushy Top, a hill country acreage real estate community. They sell some of the most remarkable, rural, hill country Texas land located near Blanco, TX. For more information please visit http://www.brushytop.com

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I have a Nutcracker Question ?

Okay so I know that in the 2nd act in the land of sweets each dance represents a different sweet.

Chinese-tea
Marzipan-marzipan
Mother ginger-ginger snaps
Spanish-chocolate
Arabian-coffee
ice cream social
Russian----- WHAT IS RUSSIAN STAND FOR LOL I CAN"T FIGURE IT OUT!!

thnx

The original libretto doesn't really state that ALL of the dances represent sweets. They also represent different countries (Arabian, Chinese, Spanish)...the Russian Dance (the piece is entitled Trepak, which is a traditional Russian dance), probably to Tchaikovsky, didn't need its own sweet--he was celebrating his own homeland. Another dance that isn't a "sweet" is the Mirlitons (Reed Flutes). Sugar and spice and everything nice, if you will.

Many people do use candy canes in the Trepak particularly if they are a large ballet school needing to employ lots of little girl dancers. However, in a professional production, men usually dance the traditional Russian folk dance.

Nutmeg Conservatory 2008 Nutcracker 2nd Act Marzipan