Sunday November 22nd, 2009 A Lean, Green Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner, but not everyone is looking forward to it. The upcoming festive season is going to be a lean one for a lot of people. It’s also going to be a “green” one for many, as concern for our environment is growing. Your Library can help make your lean, green holiday season as magical as ever!

What can I give someone for a present if I have no money?

Give them the gift of your time. Your Library offers a wide variety of free programs for children and adults. Make a gift certificate with a promise to take a child to see a puppet show, story time or concert. Many people would welcome an invitation from a friend to attend an internet class or book club meeting together. The Library’s next newsletter, with listings of programs for January, February and March, will be delivered to all homes in the City during the week of December 13th. The Library’s Web site (www.tbpl.ca) has a calendar of events under “What’s On”. You could also create a gift certificate to bring someone to the Library a few times a month, and help them find books, movies or music they enjoy.

Can you help me make some gifts?

The Christmas Lovers Handbook by Lasley F. Gober includes a very helpful chapter called “Making Merry: Handcrafting a Merry Christmas.” As Gober notes: “You don’t have to be an artist, a highly-skilled craftsman, or even a graduate of a six-week night course to know how to create something yourself, something you might even be proud of.” This book includes step-by-step instructions for sculptures, candle-making, papier-mache and much more.

Do you have any tips for wrapping presents?

Wrap giant-size gifts in a paper Christmas tablecloth. It’s less expensive and easier to work with than several sheets of wrapping paper. A flat bed sheet can also be used. Use old maps, calendars, photos from magazines, as a substitute for holiday wrap. Plain brown paper with a raffia ribbon and sprig of a fir tree looks nice as well. (source: Christmas Short-Cuts by Adeline Rosemire)

Does the Library have any Christmas movies?

YES! We have all your Christmas favourites on DVD, and even some on VHS. My personal favourite, A Christmas Story, tells the tale of nine year old Ralphie, whose hearts desire is a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle. This movie is a heartwarming glimpse in to family life in the 1940s. Other perennial favourites we have include It’s a Wonderful Life, Scrooge (both the 1935 version and the Muppets’ version!), Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th Street and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Save money by borrowing videos from the Library instead of renting them – at Christmas and throughout the year.

Kick of your lean, green holiday season by attending the free Jim n’ I concert at the Mary J.L. Black Library at 2:30 pm on Saturday December 5th.

Joanna Aegard, Head of Virtual Library Services