My Nutcracker Twins
I stopped walking abruptly, sporting a puzzled yet intrigued look on my face as I browsed the holiday aisles. A vivid splash of color caught my eye, and I took a few steps back until I stood directly in front of a festive display. Rows of decorations, each more stunning than the last, shimmered under the store’s bright lighting. The colors were vibrant—greens and reds, blues and golds, all vying for my attention. The designs seemed to whisper, “Pick me!” Their shapes were classic yet full of personality: tall, upright figures with shiny hats and painted-on smiles.
I lifted my gaze to the sign above the display: “50% off.” It was just five days before Christmas, so of course, holiday décor items were on sale. This was the time when many people picked up last-minute decorations, gift wrap, and special trimmings to finish their holiday ambiance. I hovered there, hesitating. Should I bring these delightful figures home? Should I add something new and unexpected to our family’s evolving traditions?
I turned away, browsed the aisle, and fought a mental battle: retrace my steps or keep moving forward? The debate didn’t last long. Something about those figurines, the tall wooden soldiers with stoic expressions and elaborate uniforms, beckoned me. Perhaps this would be the year I finally introduced a new decorative piece that I’d secretly admired for so long. Five days before Christmas, I found myself considering something different—something that might one day become a beloved fixture in my family’s holiday landscape.
Creating Our Own Holiday Traditions
Christmas in my home is more than just a single day of celebration—it’s a full season of memory-making, reflecting on our past, and shaping future traditions. I absolutely love the holiday season; I have my tree and stockings up by late November, slowly immersing myself and my children in the holiday spirit from December 1st onward. The goal is always the same: to create meaningful traditions that my boys will carry into adulthood. Every year, we add small touches that personalize the season, making it uniquely ours.
When I was growing up as a teenager in Nigeria, my family’s Christmas traditions centered heavily around food and hospitality. I have vivid memories of waking up early on Christmas morning to help my siblings and my mom prepare a feast. The menu was always rich and varied: aromatic jollof rice, savory fried rice, succulent fried chicken, spicy goat meat pepper soup, crisp coleslaw, and refreshing fruit salad. The kitchen would be a whirlwind of activity, with pots bubbling and lids rattling, as we ensured that the meal would impress the guests who’d trickle in throughout the day.
By midday, my siblings and I shifted to the role of gracious hosts, serving our mom’s guests and welcoming them with warm smiles. The house was filled with laughter, conversation, and the familiar sound of spoons tapping plates. While we didn’t have a huge array of holiday decorations beyond a simple tree or some tinsel here and there, the warmth of togetherness was palpable. Food was the language of love and celebration, and our traditions were woven through those culinary moments.
New Holiday Patterns in a New Home
After I immigrated to Canada, my relationship with the holiday season evolved. Winters here meant snow-covered landscapes, early sunsets, and twinkling lights that brightened long, dark evenings. Over the years, I’ve introduced several new traditions to my children, blending my Nigerian heritage with our Canadian surroundings. My goal is to create a tapestry of experiences that will help my boys understand the joy, generosity, and cultural richness of the season.
Some rituals remain the same: the decorations go up early, including our Christmas tree, stockings on the mantle, and a few cherished ornaments that we’ve collected over the years. These ornaments often tell stories—of a trip to a holiday market, a school craft project, or a souvenir from a winter vacation. Each year, we add fresh layers. The children’s homemade crafts, often created in daycare, find their place on the tree, providing a sweet, personal touch.
Other traditions reflect our new environment. One evening in early December, we bundle up in thick jackets, hats, and mittens, and head out on foot to admire the neighborhood’s holiday lights. There is one particular house that goes above and beyond—a true winter wonderland with elaborate displays that span the entire front lawn. Reindeer, candy canes, inflatable snowmen, and twinkling lights in every color delight my boys, who stand transfixed as if they’ve stumbled into Santa’s secret village.
Two weeks before Christmas, our kitchen turns into a cozy bakery. We roll out dough, shape cookies into festive stars and trees, and fill the air with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate. Treats pile up, ready to be shared with friends, family, and neighbors. A bouquet with red petals—poinsettias or red roses—adds a splash of color to our home, setting a joyful, warm mood. Candy canes and chocolates fill the stockings, a sweet promise of delights to come.
We also use this time to emphasize generosity. My boys sort through their old toys, selecting items in good condition to donate. This teaches them the importance of sharing what we have with those in need, reinforcing that the holiday season is not just about receiving but also about giving and caring.
As snow piles up outside, we make sure to engage in wintery fun. Snowball fights become mini adventures: kids versus adults, laughter echoing through the cold air as we duck, throw, and shriek when a perfectly aimed snowball hits its target. Afterwards, we warm up indoors with mugs of hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows, cuddled up under blankets by the fireplace. Classic Christmas movies play on Fridays all through December, and we sing along to carols in the softly lit living room.
Discovering the Nutcracker Tradition
This year, I decided to add yet another element: the nutcracker. Raised in Nigeria, I never encountered this particular symbol of Christmas. The nutcracker’s roots trace back to German tradition, where these decorative wooden figures were believed to bring good luck and protect the home. Over time, the nutcracker became popular worldwide, thanks in part to Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, The Nutcracker. Its presence in Western holiday decorations is almost iconic, and I’d always been intrigued by its regal posture, painted smile, and colorful uniform.
So there I was, standing in that store, considering a 50%-off deal on a pair of nutcrackers. They were tall and handsome, wearing bright red jackets adorned with gold accents, topped by hats that lent an air of authority. I pictured them on my fireplace mantle—two guardians of our holiday cheer, overseeing the stockings, the garland, and the family photos placed gently by their side. The thought made me smile. It felt like another gentle step towards embracing the full tapestry of holiday traditions in my chosen home.
I took the plunge. My frugal self gave a small sigh as I picked up two nutcrackers, my “twins,” as I’ve come to call them, and headed to the checkout. At home, I positioned them carefully on the mantle. My boys were fascinated. They peered at the nutcrackers, admiring their painted faces and intricate uniforms. For me, these nutcrackers represented more than just decorations; they symbolized the merging of old and new, of the traditions I’d carried from Nigeria and the customs I’ve adopted in Canada.
Reflections on Holiday Traditions and Culture
Traditions are living entities. They evolve with us, take on new shapes as we move to new places, and adapt to our changing families. In my childhood home, the heart of Christmas was the kitchen and the guests who partook in the feast. In my current home, it’s a fusion of culinary treats, kid-friendly activities, winter fun, and decorations that represent a global tapestry of holiday culture.
Each year, the list of things we do grows longer, but it also grows more meaningful. We’ve discovered that creating traditions doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Sometimes it’s as simple as picking out a new ornament each year, baking cookies with the kids, or sitting by the fire watching Home Alone together. The crucial part is the connection and continuity these activities foster. Over time, these rituals become part of our family’s story—one that my children will tell their own children someday.
Integrating new traditions like nutcrackers doesn’t erase our past. Instead, it honors it by showing that culture and celebration are dynamic. I still remember the smells and tastes of Christmas in Nigeria—rich, spicy aromas and bustling kitchens. Those memories remain treasured and will be shared with my kids through stories and occasional holiday feasts inspired by Nigerian cuisine. But now I also incorporate elements from my surroundings in Canada—cozy fireplaces, cookie-baking sessions, colorful light displays, and yes, nutcrackers.
If you’re building your holiday traditions, it can be helpful to mix old and new. Start with something familiar, something that evokes warm childhood memories, and then add an element that speaks to your current life circumstances. Did you move to a new country? Introduce a tradition from the local culture. Did you start a family? Adapt your traditions so they’re kid-friendly and inclusive.
Making the Season Special with my Nutcracker Twins
Children pay close attention to what we do during the holidays. They will remember the small gestures, the repeated rituals, and the sense of warmth that fills the home. They’ll recall how every December, mom took out a special pair of nutcrackers or dad set up a friendly snowball fight. They’ll talk about the time they donated toys, learning the value of kindness and empathy. These experiences shape their understanding of community, family, and the holiday spirit.
As I gaze at my nutcracker twins, now proudly stationed on our fireplace mantle, I see more than wooden figures. I see cultural exchange, love, and continuity. I imagine my sons, years from now, recalling how these nutcrackers arrived one snowy December, forever linking them to the Christmases of their childhood. Perhaps they’ll carry this memory forward, placing nutcrackers in their own homes one day, telling their children about grandma who introduced them to this funny-looking soldier who stands guard during the festive season.
A Wish for the Holidays
Happy holidays to everyone reading this. Whether you’re continuing traditions that stretch back generations, starting fresh in a new place, or blending multiple cultural influences into your celebrations, I hope this season brings warmth, joy, and meaningful connections. The nutcracker twins on my mantle remind me that we can always add another beautiful piece to our holiday puzzle.
What’s your holiday tradition with your family? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Share the meals you cook, the decorations you cherish, the games you play, or the lessons you impart to your children. Every tradition has a story, and together, our stories enrich the tapestry of the holiday season.
