With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is under way. The city of Columbia has a number of events that are being held around town. Why not kick off the holidays with a tour of Columbia homes beautifully decorated for the season. Starting November 30, the Holiday Home Tour will feature four homes in Southwest Columbia with a guided walk through so you can learn about the features and decor of each home. Dates, ticket locations, and event details can be found on the Columbia Tribune website.
Want to add some extra holiday flair to your own house? Flowers and greenery make wonderful decorations. Check out “Silk Florals for the Holidays” to learn how to create and arrange your own silk floral arrangements. Floral arrangements are perfect for the holidays since they don’t require any watering and won’t wilt, letting you enjoy your festive decor all season long! Also, if winter puts you in the crafting mood, check out “Origami Decorations for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa”! Using step-by-step instructions and color diagrams, this book shows you how to create ornaments and 3-D models that will delight the whole family! Never tried origami before? Don’t worry! This book will guide you with paper-folding techniques and tips on adapting to different papers and sizes.
Enjoy ballet? The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet will be hosting the DanceAbility Winter Showcase December 8. This showcase allows dancers of all abilities to explore the world of dance. This year’s program is “The Polar Express” based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. In this story, a boy embarks on a magical train ride Christmas Eve to receive a gift from Santa. You can find “The Polar Express” in our library collection! Additionally, Dancer’s Alley and the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on December 15 and 16 in Jefferson City. If you enjoy “The Nutcracker,” you might want to check out our soundtrack from “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” or other works by Tchaikovsky.
One of my favorite things about winter is the beautiful holiday lights. One of Columbia’s most popular attractions is the Magic Tree which was first created by Randal Fletcher, also known as Will Treelighter. The Magic Tree started out in Mr. Treelighter’s front yard, but it soon became so popular that they had to move it to The Village of Cherry Hill to accommodate the increased traffic! This year, there will also be a Magic Tree Photography Exhibit featuring photos of the Magic Tree by Randal Fletcher himself, opening December 2.
Looking for new additions to your own holiday traditions? Cozy up with “Swedish Christmas Traditions.” This book is filled with recipes, crafts and more. Learn how to make mulled wine, create your own table centerpieces, or learn how to hand-make Christmas tree ornaments while learning about Scandinavian traditions. Or, maybe you want to incorporate the values of Kwanzaa into your holiday season? Check out “Kwanzaa from Holiday to Everyday.” Author Maitefa Angaza will guide you through a celebration of family, friends, and the African American community while focusing on the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity and faith. If you want to learn more about Hanukkah, check out “Celebrating the Jewish Year: the Winter Holidays.” This book not only discusses Hanukkah, but also covers Tu B’Shevat and Purim. Follow author Paul Steinberg as he takes you on a journey of the origins and traditions of each of the holidays with a focus on how to observe these holidays in your home.
There are so many different ways to enjoy the holiday season. Local events around Columbia and Mid-Missouri are a great way to build new holiday traditions and celebrate the season with friends and family. For more local events, check out the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Columbia Daily Tribune. Happy Holidays!
