With the departure of Thanksgiving, the holiday season is upon us! December is definitely the month with Hanukkah beginning on the 15th, Christmas on the 25th and Kwanzaa beginning on the 26th. Nashua Public Library has a large collection of non-fiction, holiday-related books which will help you to celebrate with decorations, recipes, games and activities. Some books are helpful for understanding why we celebrate, as well as how, and others will explain old traditions and help you and your children to create new ones. For example, We are what we celebrate by Amitai Etzioni may shed some light on why holiday celebrations are so important to Americans. The book of new family traditions by Meg Cox should help your family to discuss holiday traditions and to find new and inventive ways to celebrate. You may even find some new and inventive holidays to celebrate.

Both The Hanukkah book by Mae Shafter Rockland and The tapestry of Jewish time by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin describe the origins of Hanukkah and the meaning behind the symbolism involved in the celebration. The Hanukkah book includes craft projects such as a stuffed dreidel made from old jeans and an elephant bank gift made using paper-mache and a balloon. If you want to serve potato latkes, cheese coins, or other traditional foods of the season, try the "new" Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene.

Our Christmas collection includes books on food, decorating, gifts,traditions and the customs celebrated in many lands. For traditions, try Stories behind the great traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins or to get that Christmas spirit, Chicken soup for the soul: the book of Christmas virtues by Jack Canfield. Gifts, food and decorations are all made easy in 365 ways to prepare for Christmas by David E Monn.

If you are planning your Kwanzaa celebration, or if you are interested in finding out more about Kwanzaa, the library has books which will help you. The complete Kwanzaa by Dorothy Winbush Riley explains the seven principles of Kwanzaa and acts as a holiday guide as well. A Kwanzaa keepsake by Jessica B. Harris offers suggestions for creating Kwanzaa traditions for your family, and the recipes and crafts found in Kwanzaa Karamu by April A. Brady will add fun to your family celebration.

A trip to visit NPL should fit right in to your December plans! Happy Holidays!