During the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, take a few minutes (no, really a few hours) to sit, relax and enjoy it. Turn off the TV, take a cell phone break, back off from the video games and have some genuine family or friends holiday time.
Christmas, and the days leading up to it, is the perfect time for following family traditions or starting new ones. Traditions are easy to begin. Listening to Christmas carols will put even the Scrooge in all of us into the spirit of the season. The library has a huge selection of seasonal favorites. Looking for even more options? Check out our Hoopla database to stream music for free. My neighbors’ son is a 5th grader and a new band student. He has been practicing Christmas carols on his trumpet for weeks. It really has put me in the holiday swing because this is the earliest that I have ever decorated the house for Christmas.
Talking about decorating, let’s bring out the decorations and put up a Christmas tree. Make your house a place that you want to come home to. No decorations or can’t afford any? Not to worry. The library has books on decorating tips and how to make your own decorations. Check out a few of these and let your imagination fly. There are also great library programs offered on making decorations. Take advantage of these programs and join in the fun.
Next, let’s bake up some holiday joy! Take the time to bake some holiday goodness; and cookies are an easy way to start. The library has many Christmas cookbooks for the novice to peruse. Find a recipe that appeals to you and it is sure to become a favorite. I’ve been baking Peanut Butter Blossoms since 5th grade. My family looks forward to their container of these each year. (A small hint from the writer is that most cookie dough can be made ahead of time and frozen. Then, simply take out and bake when time allows.)
Now that the house is decorated and the cookies are baking, let’s watch a few good Christmas classic movies. Have your family decide on them and begin the tradition of watching those movies every year. It is fun to add to that list as the years go by. The library has a wonderful selection of holiday DVDs. But, remember there is also Hoopla for more holiday movies and TV episodes.
My last suggestion in developing Christmas traditions is to read a Christmas story with your family. Gather as many of the family members as you can and read a Christmas story to them. Pick something simple so the tiniest in the group will understand. As the years go by, let each child choose a story to read to the family and this will be the beginning of their traditions. The library has a great selection of seasonal favorites to choose from.
This Christmas season, let the library help you make your season shiny and bright.