Holiday titles

Winter has arrived early this year, and snow seems to make planning for the holidays more urgent.  Before making holiday plans for food, gifts, music, films and decorating, a visit to the PWPL should be in order.  There is virtually no aspect of the holidays that cannot be enhanced by a visit to the library.

            Eco friendly wrapping is always a holiday consideration, especially when bags of wrapping paper need to be placed in the trash.  Wrapping With Fabric: Your Complete Guide to Furoshiki by Etsuko Yamada is one way to encourage planet friendly holidays.  The Japanese have elevated the beauty of a gift through the use of fabric and traditional furoshiki.  This book will help you create stunning wrappings using simple tying and knot techniques.

            Susan Wasinger collects a variety of holiday traditions and craft techniques to present 30 projects   Artful Christmas strives for elegance in a range of skill levels.  Most of the projects can be easily created without an extensive collection of tools or materials.

that will brighten the season.

            Many of the magazines found in the PWPL celebrate the holidays with their December or winter issues.  One of the most creative and unusual presentations of holiday spirit is presented by Southern Living.   Each year, the magazine collects ideas from past issues and creates a hard cover edition filled with holiday cheer.   The 2013 and 2014 editions of Christmas with Southern Living will inspire with unique holiday and decorating ideas.

            The PWPL CD music collection of holiday music includes over 600 items.  You can find traditional carols, rock music holiday albums, children’s holiday favorites and instrumental renditions.  There is something for everyone in the CD collection.  CDs can be used to get you into the holiday spirit, provide   New holiday CDs by Earth Wind and Fire, Idina Menzel, Renee Fleming and Pentatonix have recently been added to the CD collection.

background music or set the stage for a fabulous holiday.

            The holidays would not be the same without watching film classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, Christmas with the Kranks, Miracle on 34^th Street and A Christmas Carol.  The PWPL also has other holiday classics as well a new holiday favorites. If you want to take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle, sit down, put your feet up and enjoy a holiday movie.

            The library is also the place to search for ideas forideas for creating personalized food gifts.  The PWPL has books about making cheese, preserves, beverages, desserts, candies, jams, jellies and condiments. Your kitchen can become a holiday workshop for sharing delicious homemade food gifts.  Modern Food Gifts pulls together a collection of easy-to-make gifts that can be given year around.  Creative ideas for using fruit, nuts, vegetables, vodkas and vinegars to create tasty gifts are included in this book.

            The electronic book Gourmet Gifts by Dinah Corley contains over 100 recipes and ideas for gift packs and baskets that can be given for the holidays.  There are ideas and photos of beautiful gifts that can be packaged by crafters at all talent levels and at all budgets.  Edible DIY is another electronic offering with 75 recipes for indispensable edible gifts.  Arranged in five chapters, the gifts fall into the crunchy, boozy, sweet, spicy or jars categories.

            Mary Engelbreit started her career as a graphic designer, but has morphed into a arts, crafts and lifestyle brand.  Mary Engelbreit’s Christmas Companion, Christmas with Mary Engelbreit series and Best Christmas Ever are just several of her books that will give you lots of food, gift and decorating ideas.

            Upcycling Celebrations a Use-What-You-Have Guide to Decorating, Gift Giving and Entertainment by Danny Seo is a practical guide to making the most of a variety of holidays without breaking the bank.  If you would like to de-stress the holidays, this is a good place to start.

            Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell purchased an old farm house in upstate New York.  The Beekman House, as it is known, has developed into its own brand.  The Beekman Boys have published a number of cookbooks.  Their latest, The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook offers a variety of traditional holiday recipes like fruitcake, Buche de Noel, sugarplums and figgy pudding.  The book is divided into treats for each of the four seasons. 

            Electronic books are available from the Great Lakes Digital Library found on the PWPL website.  There are a number of holiday themed books that can be downloaded to a computer or tablet.  A number of the ever-popular Gooseberry Patch cookbooks are featured.  Best Ever Cookies is a great place to start for cookie exchange or tray ideas.  Cookie Craft Christmas is another electronic offering that provides over 60 cookie cutter cookie decorating ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s cookies.

Joan Nathan’s Children’s Jewish Holiday Kitchen is also available in electronic format.  This book introduces children to Jewish culture and heritage through 70 recipes and child-centered activities.  Not only will children cook up some delicious food for the holiday, but they will learn about their Jewish heritage.

            These and many more holiday themed materials are located at the PWPL. 

                  

By Pam Christensen,

Library Director