The turkey has had his day, and Thanksgiving is officially over for another year. That means the Christmas season is here.
I prefer to not put up Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving because it’s not really Christmas until then (regardless of what the retailers say). But whether you feel as I do, or believe that the holiday season starts before Halloween, your Abilene Public Library can help you get into the festive spirit with a number of resources available to you.
Although Thanksgiving may be the ‘"king" of the cooking holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah aren’t far behind. So, if you’re looking to augment your family tried-and-true recipes, we have lots of great Christmas and holiday themed cookbooks to browse. From the old standbys such as Martha Stewart, Good Housekeeping and Betty Crocker, to newer offerings such as Southern Living's annual Christmas book, you’ll be able to spice up your table and/or food gifts.
Popular novelist Debbie Macomber has a book, “Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook” with more than 100 favorite recipes for celebrating the Christmas season, and instructions for crafts, decorations, and gift wrapping, as well as personal memories and observations. Or you might wish to try an eBook cookbook from Hoopla or Overdrive, such as “Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook” and “Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Slow Cooker Feasts”, both by Phyllis Good. Her premise is that holiday meals don’t have to be frantic to be successful. Her recipes using slow cookers help free up prep and oven space, making meal preparation much less stressful.
Need some help with decorations and crafts for the season?
Mix baking and craftiness with “Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday” by Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer. If you’re also looking for outdoor decorating ideas, try “Make it Merry: a Medley of Christmas Crafts” from the magazine Crafts. We also have lots of Christmas and holiday craft books geared towards kids – you could also make some great memories at the same time.
Many people are fascinated with holidays in other countries, wanting to know how they celebrate and the differences there are in traditions. While we have many wonderful books on this subject, we also have a great online resource called Global Road Warrior. It allows you to learn about the holiday customs of 175 countries, and much more. Even if you aren’t traveling abroad this holiday season, you can learn a lot about the traditions in these countries.
As this holiday season gathers steam, we hope you’ll remember that your Abilene Public Library is a major source of ideas for gifts, food, decorations and more. Give us a call, visit online, or better yet, in person! We’ll look forward to it.
