It’s no secret that the Christmas season is absolutely and positively my most favourite time of the year – nauseatingly so, as one close friend recently observed. I revel in the traditions instilled in me since childhood. Attending Christmas Eve Mass is an abiding joy and I never complain about having to arrive half an hour early just to get a seat. I love baking for Christmas and every year I insist on hosting the family Christmas dinner at our house. As I cook, I blissfully and enthusiastically warble Christmas songs much to my kids’ and cats’ disgust (obviously they have no appreciation of good music). I decorate the Christmas tree immediately after Remembrance Day, which is why we switched to an artificial tree a few years ago because the real ones began to exhibit severe signs of Charlie Brown syndrome by the time Christmas Day rolled around. Oh yes, and I routinely display a few of my most cherished Christmas possessions well into the spring. I also love learning about how other countries celebrate the season and often incorporate some of their traditions into my own. So, for me, writing an article focusing on just one aspect of the library’s extensive, multi-cultural, Christmas collection is tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment. Instead, I have listed a veritable smorgasbord of Christmas delights, all of them non-fattening, all of them (and more) awaiting you at the Thunder Bay Public Library.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS. 2nd ed. by Tanya Gulevich. c2003
If you are fascinated by the religious traditions and holiday celebrations of other nationalities during this time of year, then this comprehensive, illustrated guide is for you! With over 240 alphabetically arranged entries, including folk and religious customs, history, legends and symbols from around the world, it offers an abundance of information on Christmas, New Years and related days of observance such as Hanukkah and Kwanza.
CREATING YOUR PERFECT CHRISTMAS: STYLISH STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON by Antonia Swinson. c2006
This is an inspiring book for everyone who believes that you can’t buy the spirit of Christmas ready-made. It features a wealth of ideas for Traditional, Nordic, Country and White Christmas themes and offers detailed instructions to help you create a magical Christmas at home, with ideas for room decorations, tree and table, creative cards and gift wrapping, displays using wreaths and candles, stylish stockings and more.
‘TIS THE SEASON TO CROCHET. Edited by Bobby Matela & Mary Ann Frits. c2006
Create a beautiful holiday setting with crocheted decorations, stockings on the fireplace, a wreath, shelf sitters, a tree skirt and garland and more. This book includes many beautiful decorations and timely gift projects that will create a warm and welcoming look throughout your home, please your loved ones and make the holidays truly special.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES FROM THE WHIMSICAL BAKEHOUSE by Kaye Hansen and Liv Hansen. c2005
There is no better way to celebrate the Christmas season than by baking some special cookies. Mother-daughter bakers Kaye and Liv Hansen share their best cookie creations from simple roll-and-slice cookies to bars and cut outs including Chocolate Krinkles, Lemon Drop Cookies, Shortbread Snowflakes and Cream-Cheese Pastry Crescents, as well as detailed instructions for making truly impressive decorations!
THE OFFICIAL PRICE GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HOLIDAY COLLECTIBLES by Dawn Reno Langley. c2006
Almost everyone has some kind of holiday collectible that they take out every year. From antique Christmas lights and ornaments to cherished Kwanza candle holders, people everywhere treasure their holiday accoutrements. This is the first guide that covers all major holidays and many minor ones ranging from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza to Chinese and Japanese New Year, Passover, Cinco de Mayo and even Left-Handers’ Day. Organized by month, each section includes a history of the holiday, the items created and used for that holiday, and extensive price lists.
TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON by Alistair MacLeod. c2004
This timeless tale of a farm family eagerly waiting for December 25th is our own classic Christmas story. The narrative, seen through the eyes of an 11 year old boy in 1940's Cape Breton Island, is simple, short and sweet. Beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated, this book deserves a place in every Canadian home that values a traditional Christmas.
THE SHEPHERD, THE ANGEL, AND WALTER THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE DOG by Dave Barry. c2006
Everyone needs some humour in their life (especially at Christmas) and, as always, Dave Barry delivers it in spades in this story for all ages that will touch your heart and make you laugh out loud. Incidentally, you may never look at a manger scene in the same way again!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens.
A beloved favourite of many, the timeless tale of Scrooge, Bob Cratchett and Tiny Tim is a must to share with your family and friends at Christmas. It is available in book format as well as in VHS and DVD.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (DVD)
Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, Frank Capra’s classic tale of George Bailey and his Christmas Eve visit with Clarence, a guardian angel, remains as powerful and moving today as it was when it was made over 50 years ago. It is also available in VHS format.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. (COMPACT DISC).
Christmas would not be complete without listening at least once to the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas. If you’re like me, you listen to it all year ‘round despite the loud familial protests.
The Library has so many wonderful Christmas resources with which to tempt intellectual and creative palates that it is difficult to choose which ones to list. So come visit us – either in person or via the internet – select your favourites, sit back and enjoy. Merry Christmas!
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