A Girl Friend's Getaway at The Nutcracker Market

    For months, Linda and I anticipated the Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker Market, one of the largest Christmas markets in the United States.  Held every November, vendors from all over the country bring their best items to sell.  By mid-November,  our waiting came to an end.

    Both of us packed enough clothes to last a week, although we were only staying a few days.   We had sufficient food and drink items to sustain us for the almost direct route from San Antonio to Houston, TX on I-10, a quick 3 hour drive by car.  Traffic was not a problem, so we arrived ready to shop.  We didn’t bother unpacking our luggage, we wanted to shop, so we requested a taxi, which proved to be the most expedient way to arrive at the event center. 

    Upon arrival, we entered the Wells Fargo Event Center doors,  and our mouths dropped.  We looked at each other and our eyes just widened in sheer anticipation.  As far as the eye could see, north, south, east, west – were vendor booths, nutcracker signs directing us this way or that, food signs, bar signs, it was amazing.  Linda decided that she would look at an ornament booth as one particular ornament caught her eye.  It was a good thing that she purchased the item, as it was no longer available after she bought it! 

    I placed a quick telephone call, and a few minutes later, three members of the Quacker Factory (clothing line) Design Team and a guest, met us at the front of the event.  We had fun discussing what to do, where to go, and which aisles were less crowded.  It is always nice to meet “seasoned pros” at such a shopping extravaganza.  Thank you to Susan Bramley, Leslie McKeough Barham, Colleen Quinn Ginsberg for the photo and to Leslie’s Mom, Linda, for meeting us.  Your seasoned advice was helpful as we navigated through the aisles of fantastic shopping!

(Susan, Leslie, Karen, Linda)

    We were still awed at the size of the swags and beautiful wreaths adorning so many of the booths.  The prices were quite high, and we wondered who would buy these glorious decorations – probably businesses or those living in mansions, because they were far too large for a normal mantel or home.  But somebody was buying them!  After about 6 hours of shopping on Day 1, we decided it was time to have a nice dinner and relax for Friday’s main event – the Macy’s fashion show. 

   Friday morning we called a taxi and arrived early at the event center.  Upon arrival, we were surprised to see so many ladies in a huge line waiting to either purchase their daily ticket or enter the show.  As we already had our tickets, we were permitted to immediately enter the shopping area.  It was nice to walk up and down uncrowded aisles this time.  We were able to view many of the booths we had not seen earlier, noting those we wanted to return to.  Tasting every food item that was offered to us, it was difficult to decide which ones to buy, but we bought a few goodies. 

    At 10:30, we were called upstairs to one of the ballrooms for the Macy’s fashion show.  The room was beautifully and tastefully decorated.  The tables had a little Macy’s gift bag at each place setting.  The appetizer dish and dessert dish were already set out.  It was hard not to sample the dessert!  Wine was opened by the wait staff and everybody toasted each other at our table.  The hawaiian chicken entree was served and the fashion show began.   

    The runway was designed in a zigzag pattern, so that everyone’s tables at the sold out event had a chance to see the models, both male and female.  Even a miniature poodle was dressed and scampered along the runway.  The models smiled the entire time which was a nice touch from what one sees on television.  The fashions were appropriate for all sized women.  And the fashion colors were gorgeous!  Of course the music was pop and I was ready to get up on the stage and dance along! 

    More shopping ensued after the luncheon, so by late evening, we decided that we had probably seen and purchased those things that we wanted.  Friday’s crowd was extremely heavy, so we made a plan to return in 2015 and how to maneuver the event center.  The mimosas were a nice break in the afternoon and we will always have our nutcracker collector’s glass to remind us of a special weekend.

    Time and time again when November rolls around, when Christmas markets begin, when I see the word “nutcracker” advertised in newspapers and brochures, I will remember the fantastic weekend Linda Leonard and I shared getting to know each other better.  We learned that we travel well together; we like the same food; we enjoyed the same decorations; we learned more about each other; and our friendship became stronger.   The Nutcracker Market has become our November tradition and I can hardly wait for it to come around again.