Teen’s Christmas nutcracker collection continues to grow
Ian Gaudet began collecting nutcrackers when he was just two years old. Now a Grade 12 student at Prince Andrew High School, the 17-yearold from Dartmouth has an amazing 99 nutcrackers in his collection.
Ian’s mother, Kim Gaudet, said her son’s collection started with an ornament from her parents.
“We really had no intention to continue to add to the collection, but, when he liked that first one, my mom kept buying them for him,” she said.
Once the collection started to increase, Ian began receiving nutcrackers from other people and always one from his nanny and grampa each year.
Kim’s elderly great-aunt saw Ian’s collection and gifted him with about a dozen of her cherished nutcrackers.
“She wanted them to go to someone who would appreciate them like she did. It was a very special gift,” Kim said.
Every Christmas, Ian’s nutcrackers are the first decorations to go on display in their home after Remembrance Day and are mostly displayed on a long table in their den.
Ian has also received nut
cracker tree ornaments and even a soap dispenser, which goes in the family’s bathroom during Christmas, she said.
While two of Ian’s nutcrackers are sitting on horses, no two of the others are alike. There is a bagpiper, Mickey Mouse, an RCMP officer and a soccer player. They are all great conversation pieces.
This year, Kim said, Ian decided to name each nutcracker and has taped a small piece of paper on the base of each one with a name.
DISNEY AND SURFERS
Ian said he looks forward to adding to his collection every year.
“I have loved Christmas since I knew what Christmas was. All my friends know I like nutcrackers but not very many know how many I have,” he said.
While it’s difficult to choose one favourite nutcracker, he said, Mickey Mouse is one of them.
“We really love Disney, and we have a Disney tree in our rec room. Marlene (Ian’s former childcare provider) used to give me a Disney ornament for Christmas ... but, when I was about six or seven, she gave me the Mickey Mouse nutcracker.”
About three years ago, family friends from the United
States, Marc and Tracey, sent a package at Christmas time. Ian was delighted to find they sent two nutcrackers.
“One is a surfer dude with a surfboard and sunglasses and the other guy is a beach bum in shorts and flip flops and a straw hat with a pail of shells. They are unique and I like them because they are not in traditional soldier uniforms.”
Last year, Ian said, his grandparents gave him a St. Nicholas nutcracker.
“His long coat and hat are the same red plaid that is the design on my kayak,” he said.
Recalling his younger years leading up to Christmas, he said, Elf on the Shelf always
came to visit the family.
“One year, there was a bunch of clues for a scavenger hunt with little prizes, like a candy cane and a chocolate Santa. The last clue ended at the nutcracker table in the den and there was a new (nutcracker) with a silver uniform, which was cool because I didn’t have any other silver ones.”
Ian’s collection is just one cool part of the Gaudet family’s Christmas. They also decorate eight Christmas trees in their home every year and, if you look closely, you are likely to see a nutcracker ornament.