At this time of year, our thoughts turn to the approaching Christmas season and special memories fill our minds. It may be that certain Christmas tradition that you and your family share, that special recipe that is imprinted in your mind or that holiday story that has been read time and time again.
How lucky we are to take these dark days of fall and winter and transform them into a celebration of light.
The library is filled with a variety of holiday titles that will help you create precious memories. Here are a few of my personal favourites:
Ideas galore decorate the pages of an Artful Christmas: 30 Elegant Craft Projects by Susan Wasinger. Each project is well-illustrated with step-by-step instructions and a complete listing of materials and tools needed. The cozy stars for your windows and the marbled ornaments are two of my personal favourites. If you are looking for a nostalgic way to decorate your holiday hearth, try the inexpensive cookie cutter garland.
Put the sparkle into your holiday season by creating handmade decorations that shine for the holidays. Glitter & Ville’s Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting by Stephen Brown does just that. The materials and techniques used to create these crafts can be applied to making anything your mind can imagine. The author believes your creativity should not ever be limited by expensive craft supplies, so all of the projects are made from easily acquired basic materials. Brown thinks that even if it’s not Christmas on the calendar, it can be “Crafts-mas” every day of the year.
Author Matthew Mead’s Christmas All Through the House extends decorating ideas into parties, gifts and outdoor décor, and introduces new, fresh traditions. His focus is always on ease, preparedness, reusing, recycling and re-crafting. From throwing a snowman party and creating a wrap room to having a rad, plaid Christmas, this book is a must-have companion for the holiday season.
From the editors of Good Housekeeping, Redbook and Country Living comes Holiday Cheer. This is a delightful mix of recipes and decorating ideas. Featured are delectable suppers such as Glazed Ham with Apricots or Roast Turkey with Wild Mushroom Gravy. Top the meal off with their dessert suggestions of Peppermint-Chocolate Layer Cake or mouth-watering Red Velvet Snowball Cake. One chapter is dedicated to presents to make and bake, complete with wonderful wrapping suggestions.
Another fabulous Christmas cookbook is the Best of Bridge Holiday Classics. For the past four decades, the Best of Bridge Ladies have provided countless recipes that are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Holiday Brunches, Cocktail Parties, Buffets and Potlucks and Holiday Cookies and Squares are all featured in this edition that meets all of your holiday entertaining needs.
The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle by Joanne Huist Smith is the perfect read for this time of year. Losing her husband so close to Christmas, this mom has no idea how she could possibly be strong for her three children as the holidays approach. It is the unconditional love and kindness she receives from others that make this story a miracle.
The touching memoir by Charles Edward Hall, Santa Claus is for Real recounts his 20 years working as Santa at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Growing up in adverse circumstances in Kentucky, he moved to New York City as an adult. The book chronicles Hall’s transformation from Scrooge to appearing as Santa nightly on stage. His story reinforces the magic of believing.
These and many other holiday books can be found at your local public library.
--A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Caroline Wandell works at Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox Library.
