Whatever you call it – spare cash, mad money, disposable income, holiday dollars – there’s probably not much of it in your pocket, purse, or bank account. Most of us are facing tight budgets with little room for indulging, and the holidays are looming with social and family obligations, additional chores and the glorious ordeal of November-December: Finding the right gifts for everyone on your list.
This year will be a good time to plan for simpler holidays—from travel and activities to gifts and special meals. The good news: your library is full of ideas, tools and tips for simplifying your holiday season, saving time and money and perhaps having more time for enjoying family and friends.
If you’re handy with needle and thread, look for ideas on sewing holiday gifts and decorations. If the glue gun is your best friend, or you’re a wizard in the kitchen or shop, you can still turn out wonderful crafty creations to delight your loved ones. Ask a librarian or check the online catalog and search for holiday gifts for endless ideas appropriate for all ages and skill levels. If all the books are checked out, search back issues of popular magazines—chances are they’ll still be available. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, try additional search terms specific types of crafts (“wooden toys”, “toy patterns,”) or specific items as a title keyword search (“teddy bears,” “gift boxes” “gifts”).
You can also search for specific holidays based on your own traditions, or to inspire new ideas for celebrating with family and friends: (“Christmas decorations,” “Kwanzaa gifts,”) or individual holidays Thanksgiving, Advent, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa.
Most of us remember experiences are far longer than gifts, especially children. Explore different holiday traditions in different cultures under “world holidays,” and have your own version of St. Lucia’s Day, Las Posadas, Winter Solstice, Bhodi Day, Hogmanay, Eid, or New Year celebrations for various cultures. The Springfield Library in Springfield, Massachusetts, has a wonderful listing of winter holidays and related Web sites anyone can visit: springfieldlibrary.org.
For older children, a browse through the science aisle will help you explain why leaves turn colors and fall, why it gets dark so early, why winter is colder than summer, and why you don’t see butterflies or robins in the winter. Search for “weather,” “winter,” or “seasons” as subject keywords.
Planning or hosting a gathering? Make it a pot-luck, so everyone can contribute, and it won’t cost you a fortune. The most important point is to be together, not to break the table (or the bank) with too much of everything. Consider making a few new holiday rules:
• Enough IS enough. Nobody needs holiday excess. Too much”of anything is a waste.
• Simple pleasures are meant to be shared. Do something together. Bake and decorate cookies; make a popcorn and cranberry garland for the tree, and then put it outside for the birds. Read out loud from a favorite story book. Watch a DVD from the library; sing holiday songs; tell stories about your ‘good old days’…you’ll amaze the youngsters.
• No Stress Allowed. Whatever you’re doing, make it simpler, easier, and less expensive for everyone. Talk about it together. Turn down the noise, and turn up the enjoyment.
Remember: Holiday-related materials are always popular at the library, so the earlier you begin your search for, the more you’ll have to choose from. Whatever you do, enjoy it.
