After nearly a decade of Nutcracker performances and rehearsals, this is my daughter’s final Nutcracker. It’s hard to believe that this is it. To say that I’m a little sad is an understatement. Next year will be very different for me because we won’t be listening to Nutcracker music in September, anxiously awaiting casting, spending every week at the dance studio nor scheduling all of our Christmas activities around Nutcracker performances. To some that may seem like misery, but to us it’s just a part of the holiday season. One of Western Arkansas Ballet’s Nutcracker traditions I’m going to miss is the annual Clara party. You see, whomever is cast as Clara that year hosts a Clara party for the rest of the cast. It’s a tradition that the dancers look forward to every season. Not a ballerina? No problem! You can host your very own Clara party this Christmas season!
The Nutcracker has a whimsical and magic feeling about it and that should show through in your Clara party. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to use non-traditional Christmas colors. Take cues from the performance itself. Think of Act 2 and the Land of Sweets. Colors like pastel pinks, blues, and mint green come to mind. Oh, and sparkly, you can’t forget the sparkles! Snowflakes make a great decoration for a Clara party to represent the Dream Scene in Act 1.
Set the scene with a backdrop to feature your food table.
This pink velvet curtain, like this one from Catch My Party is perfect for any Clara. If you don’t have an extra pink velvet curtain laying around, no worries. You can make a backdrop from crepe paper and paper fans like this one from www.somethingturquoise.com.
In this particular picture they used velvet ribbon streamers, which can get a bit pricey, so crepe paper is a good alternative. You can purchase all sorts of paper fans and crepe paper at The Party Place!
Stick with Nutcracker-themed food for the perfect Clara party. Things like these cute little Mouse King Bites
and chocolate-covered strawberries
are the perfect stars of the show!
Of course, you can’t forget the nutcrackers! Use nutcrackers to match your party colors.
When I host a kid’s party I always like to have a little craft for them to keep them occupied and keep them from getting restless. There are lots of craft ideas on www.rainydaymum.co.uk/nutcracker-crafts-activities-kids/.
A Clara party is a perfect Sunday afternoon get-together or a wonderful way to gather and celebrate before attending the Nutcracker performance.
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