Holidays – Any And All You May Celebrate!

Believe it or not, we are in the midst of the “Holiday” season. As humans, particularly American humans, we love to celebrate!  There are holidays every – yes, EVERY – day of the year.  From National Short Girl Appreciation Day (December 21, the shortest day of the year), and Cyber Monday and Cider Monday (both the Monday after Thanksgiving) to National Crossword Puzzle Day and National Bacon Day.  Each of these “holidays” are generally celebrated in December, so are part of the “Holiday Season”. Traditionally, we think of “The Holidays” as one of the big three – Christmas, Chanukah and …

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Mrs. Claus Visits Gardiner

This month being the Children’s Librarian I had the honor of being Mrs. Claus for a few community events. I was Mrs. Claus in the Festival of Lights parade in Gardiner and reading to some students at Helen Thompson Elementary and Pittston Consolidated Schools.  It is an amazing feeling to be Mrs. Claus and to see all the happy faces on adults and children. I wish everyone could have this experience in their lifetime. So, I thought I would share some of the funny questions and comments that only children would ask Mrs. Claus. How old are you Mrs. Claus? …

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Christmas Movies

What’s your favorite holiday movie?  Is it White Christmas?  Love, Actually? A Christmas Story?  There are certainly many to choose from.  My ultimate favorite holiday movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationfrom 1989.  A synopsis from the library’s copy of VideoHound’s Golden Movie Retriever says, “The third vacation for the Griswold family finds them hosting repulsive relatives for Yuletide.  The sight gags, although predictable, are sometimes on the mark.  Quaid is a standout as the slovenly cousin.”  Now that doesn’t sound very promising, does it?  But no matter how many times I have seen it, I swear – every time that …

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Happy Holidays!

Just because I’m a bit confurious (confused + curious) sometimes, I decided to search the library catalog using the word “holiday”.  My reasons are a bit convoluted, but it boils down to – “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”. Doing a subject search of the word holiday* with the asterisk, brings up 43 different headings.  There are a couple of Billie Holiday entries, so let’s say 40 holiday entries.  Granted many of the items listed under holiday are items about Christmas, but there are many about other various holidays celebrated in the United States as well as other countries.  Not all …

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Being Mrs. Claus for a day!

I was honored this year to be Mrs. Claus for the city of Gardiner in their Christmas Parade.  I was not sure what I was in for.  The fun began with co-workers and friends offering ideas for my costume.  Being a thrifty person, I looked for things that I had on hand to wear.  Thank goodness, I knew someone who works with theater students and had a perfect wig, apron and white gloves.  Oh, the endless blessing of friends. Well I had my costume set until the day came and I started to try things on. I came out of …

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13 Reasons Why Books Make Wonderful Christmas Gifts

1. Easy to wrap 2. Can often be enjoyed by several members of the household or circle of friends 3. Are fairly indestructible & don’t get eaten (like a box of holiday candy) 4. Have no expiration date (like some gift cards) 5. Can be enjoyed more than once, especially if it’s a great story 6. Look good on a bookshelf or coffee table 7. Can be used as a discussion topic at a party –“Have you read?” 8. Can provide new information, ideas, or hours of entertainment 9. Are quite portable on planes, trains & boats 10. No right …

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