• Home
  • About
  • Contact

Tell it to your Neighbor

  • Art
  • Finds
  • Experiences
  • Home Ideas
  • Thoughts
  • Shop
    • SHOP MY #NSALE
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Shop My Favorites
    • NCL Mother Daughter Favorites

christmas, Nutcracker Market, the Shopper, tradition | November 8, 2012

Crash Course on Nutcracker

I’ve been going to the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market for almost 20 years!  It is one of the highlights of the year for me, right up there with Christmas and birthdays!  Six years ago we started a tradition for “Nutcracker”.  Our family from Dallas comes in town, we go to breakfast, we shop all day and then head home for pizza, wine and show and tell.  We present to the guys and they come up with awards like Best Negotiating, Best Presentation, Best Purchase, Worst Purchase and a bunch of other silly awards.  It is crazy dorky fun!  They present us our certificates in these mugs:

Friends who’ve never been ask about Nutcracker Market and usually think it’s arts and crafts.  It’s not and this is the best way to describe it:  Imagine the best stores from the best town squares across America and put them all under one roof, that’s it!  Most of them are celebrating Christmas along with their regular merchandise.  Add delicious food vendors, a few inventors and you’ve got a giant Nutcracker Market!

2009 at Le Peep before Nutcracker.

My friend Laura was going for the first time a couple years ago so I sent her my secrets for a successful Nutcracker.  I do believe I’m an expert by now.  The subject of the email was “Crash Course on Nutcracker” and I found the hysterically serious email.  This is an updated version of it:

 

Laura,
Here are my
secrets for a successful Nutcracker event:
#1.  First
and foremost, lower your expectations, I’m trying
hard to do this too.  But I’m still crazy excited!  (This is a psychological strategy.  I’ve built it up to be the greatest shopping wonderland and I don’t want anyone, including myself, to be disappointed.)
#2.  Buy your
ticket at Randall’s, you can save $1 and avoid the looooooong ticket lines at the door (more time to shop).
#3.  Wear a cross-body bag and bring Advil for when your feet start to hurt.
#4.  Bring
cash and a budget, not that the vendors won’t accept credit cards (they do), but you can negotiate
with cash.  Allow yourself to spend up to a certain amount, no buyer’s
remorse here and no guilt!   
#5.  Use your HLSR parking permit and get free parking (this is if you are a Houston Rodeo Volunteer, we can use our permits all year to get into Reliant) also avoid the traffic and park on the Kirby Drive side of Reliant at Gate 10 or 11 and get into the HLSR, Permit or Pass line (usually to the right). 
 
 
#6.  Find a RICKSHAW, save your energy for shopping, they’ll take you straight to the entrance.  Have cash for this too.

 

This is my daughter on the rickshaw, so much fun!
#7.  Take the
bag and program from the volunteers when you go in, you’ll use both.
#8.  Negotiate.  For example, I’ll ask if they can take $5 off something that
is $40 because i have cash and they’ll agree to it!  Most booths have set
prices but the mom and pop booths will negotiate.  Sometimes I
will offer to buy two items from their booth instead of just one and ask
for a lower combo price.  My proudest negotiating moment was when I
bought a necklace for $90 and it was originally priced $140!  I only
had $90 cash left and the designer agreed to it.
#9.  Package
Check and Pick Up- don’t carry your heavy stuff around.  I
think it costs $5 and the pick up is always fast.  Located on the furthest
right aisle and at the very back.
#10.  Take a break.  Have lunch at the Cafe, the tea is so refreshing. (I’m having trouble locating this on the 2012 map so maybe it is gone.  I will be very sad.)
#11.  My favorite booths. (I have so many more but this is all I can remember.) Use this map, it now has shop names, thank you!!!
  • Sandstone Gardens
  • Two Bar West
  • Leftovers Antiques
  • Cherry Republic
  • Gourmet Apples
  • Flirt by Kid at Heart (I like to take my daughter here)
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes
  • Write Designs
  • cloud mine
  • Beyond Baroque
  • Annette’s Touch of Class
  • Paul Michael
  • Round Top Collection (not my style anymore but I always like to check it out)
Sandstone Gardens, I took this pic because I liked the b&w bow, sorry bad pic.

 

Paul Michael

 

I can’t get enough of the Gourmet Apples, worth the wait in line.

 

#12.  Show and Tell to anyone willing to play, this makes for a better Nutcracker experience!  Even if it’s to a two year old or texting pictures to a friend.
Have fun and leave when you’ve had enough!
Erica (the end)
For the first time ever I bought a 4 day pass!  With the pass my sister and I get to shop an hour before it’s open to the public on Thursday and/or Friday!!  I’m pretty sure I’ll be going all four days because I also started a tradition with my daughter.  I take her 3 hours before close on Sunday, she’s under 6 and free and I’d be half price if I didn’t have the pass.  I can’t wait!!!!  To keep track of things, I’ll be adding to my nutcracker Pinterest board in real time, ha!  I’m nuts for Nutcracker!!!  The Preview Party is starting in 30 minutes, someday…

6 Comments - Leave Yours

« No Need to Drill
Snowman Wreath, Dip Baby Dip »

Comments

  1. Courtney Taylor says

    November 8, 2012 at 2:04 am

    love that you love it so much! and totally remember your necklace negotiation. also funny how our styles have changed over the years. Still have my ***** birds….don't like them anymore but can't seem to throw them away. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    November 8, 2012 at 2:05 am

    I'm going for the first time this year…soooo excited!! Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  3. Jud and Lindsey Martin says

    November 8, 2012 at 5:12 am

    Love, love, love!!! I'll be there on Friday. Hope to see you!

    Reply
  4. Pineapples and Pickles says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    A four day shopping pass? I'd be in so much trouble. Maybe I'll run into you on Friday!

    Reply
  5. thesapp4 says

    November 1, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    I know this is an older post, but I just came across it. Is it still true that you can use your HLSR volunteer parking permit all year for events? My mother in law and sister in law have been volunteers for several years and are both unaware of that handy bit of info. That is an awesome piece of information if that is still true!

    Reply
    • tell it to your neighbor! says

      November 1, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      I used it last year after this post so I think it's still true. I think I've done this for parking for the past 6 nutcrackers and each year I visit about 3 times! I've saved a lot on parking! Have fun and good luck with the pass!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Hello Neighbor! I’m Erica Smith and this is where I share discoveries and tell a few stories!

More Discoveries Here:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

New Posts by Email

Popular Posts

  • Slurried Brick
  • Moon Garden
  • Fall Feather Wreath
  • One Dollar Tuesdays
  • Snowman Wreath, Dip Baby Dip
  • Service Series: Self-Serve Laminators

Find It

The Archives

  • ►2018 (3)
    • ►September(1)
      • Texas Bluebonnet Award 2018-19 Books: A Visual List with Links
    • ►July(1)
      • Nordstrom Anniversary Kids Clothes
    • ►February(1)
      • Best Morning Ever Mug
  • ►2017 (14)
    • ►December(7)
      • Books Ship Quick
      • "All The Rage" for the Girls
      • Candles That Smell Like Home
      • 20 Favorites for the Guys
      • Kids Club Membership
      • Brickheadz for the Kidz
      • Let The Gifts Begin
    • ►November(1)
      • Semi-Cyber
    • ►October(1)
      • Haunted Gingerbread Houses and Cheers to Small Parties!
    • ►August(1)
      • My Favorite Lunch Box and Why
    • ►July(4)
      • Settling In 2 | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Settling In | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Back To School for Him | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
      • Back To School for Her | Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
  • ►2016 (3)
    • ►July(1)
      • 3rd Annual Shopping Experiment
    • ►May(1)
      • #TITYNBUILDSAHOUSE + Invitation
    • ►January(1)
      • Start Here
  • ►2015 (8)
    • ►December(1)
      • Not Your Typical Gift Guide
    • ►September(1)
      • The Fall of Unfinished Business
    • ►August(1)
      • These Are My Keepers
    • ►July(1)
      • Shopping Experiment Take Two!
    • ►May(2)
      • Summer Style Shape Up Giveaway!
      • Just A Few Things About Grand Cayman
    • ►April(1)
      • Recommendations for Seaside!
    • ►January(1)
      • the SALE is This Weekend
  • ►2014 (41)
    • ►December(4)
      • The Art of Decluttering
      • 5 Tips to Help Your Holiday
      • Free Shipping: Who's got it and for how long?
      • Insta-card Round Up
    • ►September(3)
      • New Finds in Round Top
      • More Talking = Less Shame, More Hope
      • How To Give a Baby a Bath
    • ►July(3)
      • Shopping Experiment
      • United Colors of Wimbledon
      • Emma and I
    • ►June(2)
      • Here We Go Again!
      • A Few Birthday Party Tips
    • ►May(9)
      • Scooby-Doo Meets Batman Party
      • A Few Memorial Day / Summer Discoveries
      • My Sister's Big Top Party
      • Wild Kratts Birthday Party for a Girl
      • Mickey Mouse Orange Party
      • A Gift From...
      • What I Want for Mother's Day
      • Big Kid's Sand and Water Table + Update
      • TITYN DIY Night - Painted Antlers
    • ►April(6)
      • Sunday Takeaway
      • "Modern Goods For Happy Occasions"
      • Uptown Park's Lifestyle Blogger Series: Spring Edition
      • The MVP of Baby Gifts
      • 10 Steps to Easy (and Fun!) Bookcase Styling
      • Easy Easter Bunny Wreath
    • ►March(5)
      • Round Top Round Up Plus...
      • First-Ever Kite Festival
      • Very Important Post
      • Instant Oscars Party
      • World's Championship Bar-B-Que 2014
    • ►February(5)
      • Glass Knot Trend - Luxury vs. Mega Steal
      • The Crafting Box
      • Travel Edition: TRAVAASA Austin, Texas
      • Cookie Cake: Swedish Heart
      • My Clutter Recovery
    • ►January(4)
      • The Train Trunk and More
      • Inspired by a Fresh Looking Desk
      • Sevenly
      • My Sister's Post
  • ►2013 (88)
    • ►December(8)
      • The Clutter in My Mind
      • Merry Christmas!
      • Easy Christmas Cookies
      • Best Kid's Watch Ever
      • Free Shipping for Christmas Delivery
      • Old Tradition New Spin
      • Tiptus Finds
      • Stargazer Lights
    • ►November(6)
      • It's Clear to See
      • Fall Feather Wreath
      • A Nod to The Nod
      • Nutcracker Ready
      • Step It Up!
      • Numbered Cake Sparklers
    • ►October(4)
      • A Wedding on The Prairie
      • Great Party Supplies Stat
      • Dancing Crows
      • The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell
    • ►September(7)
      • Fun Halloween Finds
      • Instagramming From Round Top
      • Here Comes the Funny... Boom.
      • Now I See Me
      • Drug Store Favorites
      • Driving Around Again
      • Moon Garden
    • ►August(7)
      • Easy Mickey Mouse Invite + Free Template!
      • Preschool Separation Anxiety
      • A Creative Pep Talk
      • Red Sands Ranch
      • Thread
      • Cake Bunting in a Jiffy
      • Highlights from New York, New York
    • ►July(4)
      • A Nice Frame Ready-To-Go
      • Birthday Campout Inspiration
      • A Bunch of Stuff for Kids
      • Master Overhaul: Before and After
    • ►June(6)
      • Thank You!
      • A Platter Big Enough For Three
      • Summer Foodie Finds
      • Easy Homemade Father's Day Cakes
      • Slurried Brick
      • Minnie Mouse Birthday Party, Part 2
    • ►May(10)
      • To and Fro Swim School
      • One Hundred Winner!
      • One Hundred Posts Celebration and Giveaway!
      • Sneaker Secret
      • KEA-I-AY (pig latin)
      • For My Mom
      • Dining Room Rug
      • Minnie Mouse Birthday Party, Part 1
      • Waiting for Wind
      • Floral Workshop
    • ►April(8)
      • Welcome Home Baby
      • Southern Floral
      • Travel Edition: Punta Mita and The St. Regis
      • Jumping For Joy
      • Round Top Report Spring 2013
      • Best Slip Ever
      • The Headband Bowl
      • HC by JA at JCP
    • ►March(7)
      • Fresh Flowers for the Door
      • Master Plan and Inspiration
      • Gorgeous Easter Eggs
      • An Easter Basket For the Years
      • Free Advice
      • How To: Round Top, Part 2
      • How To: Round Top, Part 1
    • ►February(11)
      • Oscars Party
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 4
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 3
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 2
      • This Is Why I Love BBQ, Day 1
      • Be A Hero
      • Be Part of the eClub
      • Happy Valen-tine's Day
      • Classroom Valentines Plan
      • Good Night Sleep Chart
      • Service Series: Cut It Out!
    • ►January(10)
      • Fore The Love Of Golf
      • A Hug and a Kiss
      • Styling a Glass Cabinet
      • Service Series: Self-Serve Laminators
      • Coffee Cart at Home
      • Service Series: Same-Day Custom Notes
      • A Steamer Superb!
      • Wedding Inspiration
      • Thinking about Rodeo Tickets?
      • Obsessed with the COLOR BAR*
  • ▼2012 (56)
    • ►December(7)
      • New Year's Solo Cup Chandelier
      • Merry Christmas, Neighbor!
      • Toddler Christmas Activity
      • Santa's Tool Giveaway - Winners!
      • A Tool for Santa (That's You) - GIVEAWAY!
      • Big Battery Operated Lights
      • The Tree Is Up and It Is Good!
    • ▼November(8)
      • The Kids' Remote
      • Split Second Elf Ideas
      • Give Sleep
      • Christmas Tree Intervention
      • Snowman Wreath, Dip Baby Dip
      • Crash Course on Nutcracker
      • No Need to Drill
      • Diaper Rash Wipes
    • ►October(9)
      • Happy Halloween
      • Inspiration Board
      • Pedicure for Two
      • Art Full Circle
      • Elf on the Shelf or Skeleton in the Yard?
      • Guest Bedroom Design, Everything on Sale
      • A Rapunzel Party Without Getting Tangled
      • Birthday Morning Surprise
      • Plato del Niño
    • ►September(9)
      • Headed to Round Top
      • This Song Moved Me
      • Halloween Solo Cup Wreath
      • There's A Spider on Your Head!
      • Thirst Be Gone, Mosquitos Be Gone
      • One Dollar Tuesdays
      • The One and Only Scooter
      • Think Outside The Jewelry Box, Part 2
      • Labor Day Sale
    • ►August(11)
      • Free Gift Wrap
      • Cake For Breakfast
      • Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA
      • Mama's Got a Brand New Chair
      • Celebrate Good Times
      • Ice Ice Baby
      • Think Outside The Jewelry Box, Part 1
      • Hooked On Bundts
      • Black and White Trim
      • A Step Above the Fill-In Invitation
      • MadBox Update
    • ►July(10)
      • From Danger to New Hanger
      • Lunch Box Madness
      • Travel Edition: Jackson Hole, WY
      • Cottage Bathroom Renovation
      • Swedish Nursery
      • The Everlasting Bag
      • Game Changer, The Puddle Jumper
      • Paper Lantern Chandelier
      • Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness
      • Coca-Cola + Navy = Patio Redo
    • ►June(2)
      • Best Pool Bag Ever
      • American Flag Wreath

RSS My Sister’s Blog

  • Everyday Outfits: Workout Wear Edition
    I rarely buy workout wear. I think it’s because I find it difficult to find cute stuff, and I’d rather buy cute “real” clothes. But when I saw all the cute workout wear on the SAKS website, I knew I wanted to share it with you for this months SAKS collaboration.  I ordered a whole […]

Currently on Instagram

@spicepaperdesigns packaging makes me happy happy, @spicepaperdesigns packaging makes me happy happy, indeed! 🤩 I have volunteer gig next week with @stagnesacademy and I’ll need a clipboard for it. So I ordered from my favorite clipboard maker, SPDs,  and Becca did something different with the design in the corner and I like it a lot! 😍
Did you know @heb has the best cornbread? My frien Did you know @heb has the best cornbread? My friend told me about it and it’s true! So good! @emilychaudoiradams @cookwellco @daisybrand @tillamook #hebbakery @hebbakery
🔔Neighbors, you missed this!📣@branch_product 🔔Neighbors, you missed this!📣@branch_products wants to give this rug to one of you!🎉 @abbeybranch used the word I was looking for to describe the fringe stripes, darling!! 😍 And she’s forecasting this color 🧱 as one of her picks for the 2023! Go enter to WIN 2 posts back 👉 @tellittoyourneighbor. 🍀
While we were in Cabo we got a call from home that While we were in Cabo we got a call from home that our garage door broke and wouldn’t close. This can be a dangerous situation because it’s a heavy piece of woodwork, the cord can snap and the door can fall! @mygoodsmith was our hero, came over early Saturday to assess the situation and make sure our kids were safe by staying away from it. 🙏🏼 Then their Garage Door Partner was out a few hours later and fixed it! 😅 All of this happened while we were relaxing on a beach 1,000 miles away from home! Thank you @mygoodsmith and Morgan Booth for coming to the rescue! 😃

Photo 1: Awesome Goodsmith team members Harold and Bruno.
Photo 2: The champagne bar with swings on the beach, Va y Viene, in Cabo San Lucas.
🎉 @branch_products has a new line and we’re k 🎉 @branch_products has a new line and we’re kicking it off with a RUG GIVEAWAY!! 📣 The new line is Nanimarquina and Branch is excited to bring their handmade rugs to Texas! Nanimarquina, headquartered in Spain with a showroom in New York, has been reinventing the rug and has been collaborating with international designers for more than 35 years. Their original designs enable designers to find “a unique rug for every person, space and emotion.” 

Branch is giving away is the Mía Rug in color Brick designed by the textile company’s founder herself, Nani Marquina! Mía (in every picture above) is a wool flat-woven rug handcrafted in India and it stands out for its central fringe that adds personality! So unique but still classic, I love it! 🧶 The size is approximately 5’7” X 7’10.5” and it retails for $2,400!!

Here’s how to enter @branch_products’ fantastic and generous giveaway:
1) Follow @abbeybranch, 
2) follow @branch_products and 
2) leave a comment below tagging 1 friend.
3) For extra entries, tag additional friend(s) in separate comments.
Each comment counts as an entry! (This is not affiliated with Instagram.) 🍀Thank you & good luck!!! 🍀 
This giveaway ends at 10 am, Friday, February 3rd and I'll announce the winner on stories.

📷 1st and last photo: work by @peterfehrentz. 😍
I like to save my Nordstrom Notes and use them tow I like to save my Nordstrom Notes and use them towards a bag. I’m not sure when this tradition started but I like it! 😃 This time I needed a new bag for travel and this tote has been perfect! Everything fits in here, even my laptop! It’s so squishy and soft, I could take a nap on it. 😴 And it has a removable pouch big enough to hold a change of clothes and flip flops just in case. I appreciate all the details, you’ll have to check them out in the next photos: the red on the edge of the leather, the yellow stitching and the hot pink interior. 😍 If you’re needing a new tote, check this one out through the link in my profile 👉 @tellittoyourneighbor. And if you’re not in the market, check out my aerial photos I took from the airplanes. It’s my in-flight entertainment! 📸 Let me know if you spot your office building, your favorite hotel, your local elementary or maybe your house! 👀 Thank you!!

Follow my shop @tellittoyourneighbor on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKtravel #LTKfamily #LTKitbag
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/40G2R

Copyright © Tell it to your Neighbor 2023 · design by Alpine Lane