Storyline Claras family celebrates Christmas Eve. Clara is jealous and sad because her older sister, Louise, has a boyfriend. He cheers up when the eccentric Uncle Drosselmeier arrives at their house and brings special gifts: a beautiful dollhouse and a Nutcracker. Drosselmeier gives it to Clara and tells her the story of how his nephew Hans transformed into the Nutcracker becomes the Prince of the Dolls.