I’ve actually done a few things this year that mean a classic Christmas to me, unlike the past few years. It’s not Christmas unless I hear “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. I not only heard it on CD, but I also caught it on my favorite Syracuse classical station, WCNY (11 years going on 12 listening!) As mentioned before on this lovely experiment, this piece is seared into my brain from my father playing the original Boston Pops 1960 or so recording every year with great fanfare. It was not Christmas in my house until he brought up that record (which got increasingly scratchy from continual use) from his basement lair, started playing it, and then “conducted” it. It’s a uniquely Farrell tradition that I never intend to let slide.
Then, for the first time in probably around five years or so, I went up to Milwaukee with my violinist friend Nina and heard her play in the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra for their annual Nutcracker production. The ballet has tinkered with the plot a little, adding clowns that aren’t usually there to entertain the kids, but it still was nice to actually sit down and see the ballet with their great sets. The Milwaukee Ballet has always been stellar and the dancers did not disappoint. Even their acting is first rate.
And now I once again have the full ballet on CD (I accidentally threw out my previous CD - horrors!), which I am listening to right now with a glass of somewhat flat 
but still tasty rose sparkling wine.
Christmas’s aren’t the same since I became an adult orphan, but keeping some traditions alive and doing what I appreciate keep it purposeful.
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