Ever since I was a little girl, "The Nutcracker Ballet" was a key part of our family's Christmas celebration. I would get dressed in frilliest dress and my family and I would go to the Aerie Crown Theater to witness the magic of the ballet. I still smile whenever I hear the first few bars of the score.

Now that I'm a mom, I have carried on the tradition with my family.

Sadly, a trip to see "The Nutcracker" is not in the family budget this year. Top tickets to the Joffrey Ballet production at the Auditorium would be more than $400 for the four of us. Although I know it will be wonderful, we can't swing it.

I'm thinking of checking out one of the lesser Nutcrackers, like maybe the one presented by the Peoria Ballet at the Peoria Civic Center. Top ticket price: $42, with student tickets selling for just $17. Or maybe we'll stay closer to home and go see Ballet Legere in Cicero for $24. Turns out there are a whole host of sugar plum fairies dancing across stages in Illinois. Check out the list here.

Cindy Richards is the mom of two who gets her muse from traveling the world, usually with kids in tow. She also writes for TravelingMom.com, where she also serves as editor.

See more of Cindy's stories here.

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