Maybe my favorite of ALL Christmas traditions? Blame it on the dancer in me, but it’s one hundred percent going to see The Nutcracker in Boston. An indulgence that’s a bit difficult to do every year, which makes it even more of a treat when it does happen.

This year was a Nutcracker year, and I was so, so grateful for the opportunity to see Boston Ballet’s rendition, under the creative direction of Mikko Nissinen. Set in the early 1800s, his production is based on Alexandre Dumas’s libretto The Tale of the Nutcracker, adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Boston Ballet changes it up just enough every year, to keep things fresh, while still perfectly sticking to the story and parts we fell in love with as children.

The COSTUMES though. Those are what really make this performance magical. Robert Perdziola redesigned all of the costumes that grace the production’s 300+ dancers in 2012 [costumes are only redone every 15-20 years!]. 182 completed costumes appear during each performance, but over 350 were created for multiple casts. This slays me: The Sugar Plums and Dew Drops, alone, have over 3,600 jewels on their tutus and bodices, and over 2,000 yards of net and tulle were used for all of the costumes. Can you say, dream closet?

Which brings me to my day-at-the-ballet look, obviously involving tulle and a bit of sparkle as well. This was the perfect excuse to don some of my girliest, most festive apparel, and to debut a darling LC Lauren Conrad skirt, and sweet new tassel charm bracelet from queen-bee-of-monograms, Marley Lilly.

Plaid Shirt, Ralph Lauren [similar] | Tulle Skirt, LC Lauren Conrad | Pearl Cluster Necklace c/o Francesca’s [similar 1; 2] | Monogrammed Tassel Bracelet c/o Marley Lilly | Green Leather Crossbody, Jesslyn Blake [similar 1; 2] | Patent Ballet Flats, Kimchi Blue [similar 1; 2]

The Nutrcracker is playing at the Boston Opera House and runs through December 31st this year, with performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30, Sundays at 5:30, and various 1pm matinees.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bostonballet.org, or over the phone at 617.695.6955. They start at just $29, so give yourself a treat this holiday.

Seriously not convinced yet? Read this:: Top 10 reasons to see the Nutcracker this season!

Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Nutcracker for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have attended Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker in many years past, unsponsored.