With all the rocket ship riding and magic spell casting happening in your house, you wonder if Captain Imagination appreciates the real world.

Show him what a colorful place it can be with Numsi nursery art. Made by a British installation artist living in Minnesota, the square wall panels depict everyday things (trucks, cars, animals) in stylized, eye-catching ways.

Each pic is digitally enhanced, juxtaposed against bold colors and patterns, and printed on canvas. The results: wall art that’s sophisticated enough for mom and dad, but cartoony enough for a kiddo. What we really appreciate, though, is the subtle combination of things girly and boyish (think an orange digger against a bright pink background).

A birch plywood frame holds each piece, so it can stand upright on a dresser or desk. Alternately, mount one (or several) on the wall to inspire dreams — for real.

Available online at numsi.com, $38-$118.

CELEBRATE
First Night Alexandria
What: Ring in the new year with music, face painting, and clowns.
Why: Catch the fireworks finale if he manages to stay up past bedtime.
When: Fri., 7-11:15 p.m.
Where: King St., b/t the Potomac River & The George Washington Masonic Memorial. Locations online at firstnightalexandria.org. Purchase tickets around town. Adults and teens, $20; under 13, free.

SPIN
The Nutcracker
What: Larger-than-life-size characters star in the holiday classic.
Why: The marionettes are just as graceful as any prima ballerina.
When: Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Where: The Puppet Co., 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Tickets at 301-634-5380 or online at thepuppetco.tix.com. Adults and children, $10.

Photo: Courtesy of Numsi

	Up to 50% off Coralia Leets Keep things simple (the holidays were complicated enough) with gold-encased, semiprecious teardrops on a single chain or clean-cut earrings. Get yours for up to 50% off on our sample sale site.