By Ann M. Zydek
Library Director

James Shirey and Aubrey Hoffhien enjoy time together during Kids’ Coding Club at the Warsaw Community Public Library.

The busy holiday season has arrived. Like me, are you in the middle of holiday planning, looking for ideas to finalize your holiday décor, meals and gatherings as you prepare to spend time with family and friends? For inspiration, visit the library and consult with library experts, browse library resources, and connect to the library’s improved Wi-Fi.

Read fascinating facts about the holidays in magazines or books such as “Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Christmas” by Jonathan Green. Did you know that the first Christmas lights used on a tree belonged to Thomas Edison? Or that reindeer became associated with Christmas in the nineteenth century when American Episcopalian minister Clement Clarke Moore composed the poem “An Account of a Visit from Saint Nicholas,” a.k.a. “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” for his children and had “diminutive elf-like Santa pulled in a miniature sleigh by equally tiny reindeer”?

Did you know that the International Trade Fair, Christmasworld 2018, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, inspired many of the latest festive decorations you see when shopping? Check their website. Visitors from 129 countries saw décor trends emphasizing heritage through high-quality artisanship and rustic décor, inspired by natural materials like wood, greenery colors and woodland creatures.

Popular Christmas and Advent decorations evoked childhood emotions and were a feast for the senses. Many decorations merged with live floral arrangements and incorporated culinary treats like fruit, vegetables, seafood, tarts and macaroons. In addition, vibrant jewel tones, dreamy pink colors, and understated white were visible alongside nontraditional designs using alpacas, llamas, sea creatures and jungles.

Are you getting new devices this holiday season? Connect at the library or use your library card to access library eCollections. View the White House’s YouTube video published Nov. 26 “2018 Christmas Decorations at the White House.” Explore Hoopla’s holiday wonderland of audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, music and television available instantly — anytime, anywhere, with no holds or waiting. Shuffle albums to create a perfect holiday party playlist. Bring your movie experience to life on the big screen for holiday entertaining. Hoopla is available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, and Chromecast. Happy holidays!