By Khalida Sarwari
The Saratoga Library is hosting several events for families to get into the festive spirit this holiday season.
The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries will present a special open house on Dec. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the Friends, enjoy desserts and coffee, and listen to the Bay Area Showcase Chorus, an award-winning ensemble of women singers who perform in the barbershop style.
On Dec. 11, the library will host the Traveling Lantern Theatre Group from 4 to 5 p.m. for a condensed and humorous rendition of “A Christmas Carol” for children and their parents,
The library will host a “Holly Jolly Christmas” craft project from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 12 in the Orchard Room. Children of all ages can drop in to make a decorative bag and two different types of Christmas ornaments. Attendees are invited to bring a can of food to contribute to the Second Harvest Food Bank to help those in need.
The library–along with the Joan Pisani Community Center and the Prospect Center–serves as a drop-off location for donations of food for Second Harvest.
The most needed items include canned tuna, peanut butter, baked beans, canned nuts, powdered milk, 100-percent juice in boxes or cans and canned vegetables and fruits. Other requested food items are boxed pasta, rice, cereal and canned soups and stews. Food items can be dropped off through Dec. 21.
At the “Upcycling Your Gift Giving” event on Dec. 15, adults and teens can learn fun ways to use materials such as old newspapers, paper rolls, maps, yarn, leaves, magazines, posters, brown bags and other recycled materials to make gift wrapping, bows, flowers, gift card pouches and tags. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
On Dec. 18, teens are invited to participate in a holiday-themed craft where they can create something to take home and make something to donate to a good cause. The program is from 3 to 4 p.m.
At the Charlie Brown and Snoopy Christmas Party on Dec. 22, children can play games, watch a Snoopy winter movie and make a craft or two while sipping on holiday drinks. The event is from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Orchard Room.
The following day, on Dec. 23, children and their parents are invited to watch a Christmas flick from 3 to 5 p.m.
The library will be closed early at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day.
For more information about the events, visit sccl.org/Locations/Saratoga.
