It’s always fascinating to hear about or experience the holiday traditions of others. The holidays we celebrate in the winter may be different, depending upon our family, ethnic, or religious backgrounds, but we all have traditions in common. Some of us celebrate Christmas, some Hanukkah, and some the winter solstice. Our traditions are as different for the same holiday as they are for different ones. But, we all have things we do for the holidays that carry on through time.
One of our favorite family traditions is to collect items to use as Christmas tree ornaments when we travel. It might be an actual ornament, or just something that represents the area. We have a stuffed Nisse from Norway, a golf ball from the course at Pebble Beach, a drama mask from the French Quarter, and a multitude of other treasures that take us on a walk down memory lane every December. Whichever holiday you celebrate, and whatever your traditions are, I hope it brings joy this year.
- The Christmas Almanac by Natasha Tabori Fried. The ultimate Christmas book, this is part reference, part anthology, part cookbook, part history book, part songbook, part shopping guide, part crafts, and part trivia book, all in a hefty volume with 200 color illustrations that belongs on every family's shelf.
- The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards. The author retells 12 traditional tales— from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia—that honor the magical moment.
- Hanukkah in America: A History by Dianne Ashton. Drawing on songs, plays, liturgy, sermons, and illustrations, Hanukkah in America shows how an almost forgotten festival became the most visible of American Jewish holidays.
- Holidays on Ice with Six New Stories by David Sedaris. A bestselling classic features six additional works on the joys and embarrassments of favorite holidays, in a volume that includes tales of tardy trick-or-treaters, the difficulties of explaining the Easter Bunny to another culture, and a barnyard Secret Santa scheme gone awry.
- Chicken Soup for the Soul. The Magic of Christmas: 101 Tales of Holiday Joy, Love and Gratitude by Amy Newmark. Heartwarming, inspirational, and fun stories of giving, gratitude, and kindness. These stories are sure to leave you with a smile and enthusiasm for the season that will last all year long. With stories about Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and New Year, there’s something for everyone.
Library tip of the month: The winter months are great for playing board games with friends and family. The library has a large selection of games you can check out. It’s a great way to try out new games without the expense of buying. Browse our collection at the library or view the list and place a hold online.
Janet Alder is Marketing and Communications Coordinator with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, which has 15 locations in Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, and Cowlitz Counties. Call 360-906-5000 or visit the library district website for more information.
A version of this column first appeared in The Messenger, December 2023.
Find more book columns in our Off the Shelf blog.
