Let's Talk Vintage #50: A Nutcracker Birthday Party

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!

 

Today I am taking you all along on a journey into
 the Land of Sweets via the Russian Nutcracker ballet, 

which first made its debut, in December of 1892.

 

It was a celebration of my sweet Bebe's 7th birthday.
Her wish this year was to have a "Nutcracker Party." 
Being the forever fan of the ballet myself,
I was just as excited to plan it.

 

Here is a little history from Wikipedia:

 

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (op. 71). The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on Sunday, December 18, 1892.

Although the original production was not a success, the 20-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was.

However, the complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season, especially in the U.S. Major American ballet companies generate around 40 percent of their annual ticket revenues from performances of The Nutcracker.

 

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Hang onto your sleigh.... here we go!

(Photos by two of my gal pals,. I'm so thankful to them

for taking pictures while I was running the party.)

After looking on Pinterest for several weeks,

 

 

 

I created this backdrop and snowy scene...

for eye appeal as soon as you walked in.

Much of the décor I already had, and

some of the items were purchased

at thrift shops.

 

 

 

A sparkling tree graced the table, a purchase that I made several years ago from Katie's Rose Designs.  White lights covered by snowy garland gave a wintery effect.

 

I've been collecting silver plated trays for a while now and they came in handy for this table. One is holding "thank you" goodies that I gave to each girl as she left.

(Treat boxes by Martha Stewart.)

 

 

 

Another held spritz cookies which are

 popular at Christmas time.

I actually used a vintage cookie

press we found at a sale a couple of years ago.

 

I named them "Clara's Cookies"

 with a pink label and white ribbon.

(Labels were from Party City.)

 

 

 

Other sweet treats were given

the same look with labels like:

"Little Doll Sweets" and "Fritz Sticks"

 

 Homemade cupcakes with white icing
were bedazzled with silver
and pink sugar sprinkles.

 

 

As the story goes, in her dream,

Clara turns into a princess.

Well, I found this beautiful pink

 ball gown with sparkling silver

beads at our local Goodwill.

They had it in the Halloween

costume section.

 

I was in disbelief that it was there!

So of course I bought it!

It was the perfect touch.

I labeled it "Princess Clara's Gown."  

 

The big snowflakes in the background were found at the thrift shop up near our lake house. I've been collecting things to use for a few months now.

 

I had so much fun planning and setting up the party.

 

I even had a few surprises

for the little attendees.

 

 

The Sugar Plum Fairy stopped by for a visit

and performed the dance from the show.

 

She is one of the senior dancers

from Bebe's dance studio. I was very

impressed and her talent was amazing!
I was almost in tears. You're laughing

right now but it was true!

 

(My Dear Hubby also wore a Nutcracker/soldier

 costume to greet guests as they arrived.)

 

 

We played "Pin the moustache on the Nutcracker."

My drawing wasn't too bad! I printed the "moustaches"

on my computer using Word clip art.

 

 

The girls also made their own

Nutcrackers and I just love how

cute they turned out. It was a

free printable I found online.

 

 

Before they left the girls signed

a snowflake wreath so Bebe

could remember who came

to her 7th birthday party

in the land of sweets!

 

Thanks so much for taking the time

to check out the great fun we had

celebrating 7 years with Bebe...

can't believe how fast the years go!

 

 

Here are this week's features:

 

 

Rita of Panopoly shared her Fall Home Tour

with us. I just loved her use of the

antique exercise pins and all of the other

creative touches that inspired her. Great motivator

for me to get out my autumn décor!

 

and Sam at Raggedy Bits shared this

amazing side table! Love how the

vintage paper theme totally

changed the look of it!

 

 

and Liz our latest LTV newcomer

(all the way from Scotland)

shared from her blog, Shortbread & Ginger ,

her awesome charity shop find...

and some "local history on a plate!"

 

 

Cecilia of My Thrift Store Addiction

shared her rosy Fall tablescape.

Her combination of pastel, bright,

and warm hues created

an amazing palette!

 

 

 

Remember, if you were featured,

feel free to use the LTV button

on your side bar.

 

A big thank you to all who

participate. This party would be

pretty boring without you!

 

Now it's your turn:

 

Let's Talk Vintage!

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

 

 

 

 

Linking with:

Vintage Inspiration Party

What's It Wednesday

Share Your Cup Thursday

Pink Saturday