Tribune article by Dana Still

Books, DVDs can help you get in the holiday spirit—November 13, 2009

Pardon my crumbs but it is Holiday time! Some families get in the decorating spirit of the "Griswold's", and others get in the "Julie and Julia" mode of cooking. For those of you who are in a festive mood and ready to deck the halls, or are tired of the same old fruitcake recipe, our large collection of holiday books and cookbooks will have you concocting savory delicacies and hanging the "stockings with care".

Stuck in the turkey and ham rut? We have a wide variety of ethnic cookbooks, everything from sushi to beef bourgogne. Try out a new tradition this holiday season and choose from, "A Swedish Kitchen", "The Food of Greece", "Food of Japan", "Indian Cookbook", "Middle Eastern", "African Cooking" or "Authentic Mexican".

Are you ready to whip up some tasty new candies, cookies and cakes OH MY! Try these books for the sugar plums in your life: "Better Homes and Gardens Cookies for Christmas", "Cookies, a Cookie Lover's Collection", "Death by Chocolate Cookies", "Cakes, Cookies, and Pastries", "The Cake Mix Bible", "Swedish Cakes and Cookies" or "The Complete Wilton Book of Candy".

In the DVD "How to" section we have a DVD called "Czech this out: dough therapy" a great how to knead your holiday stress away.

For "Decking the Halls" try these books: "Decorating for the Holidays", "Simple Handmade: 365 easy projects for every occasion", "Holiday Origami" or "52 Holiday Wood Projects".

We also have a wide variety of holiday movies such as "Red Skelton: Freddy the Freeloader's Christmas Dinner", "The Christmas Box" and "One Christmas". In the children's movies we have "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street", "The Bears Christmas" and "I'll be home for Christmas".

Or maybe you're ready to start your holiday shopping. Stop by our Christmas table, located in the front of the library and pick out an honor book. You can purchase a book for the library and dedicate it to a friend or relative. Also, opening soon is the Friendshop, the Friends of the Library used bookstore. So take time to stop by and browse the shelves for unique gift items; the store is located on the main floor of the library.

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Seen an author on TV that caught your interest? If you are a Hastings Public Library patron, e-mail the library with the author, title, and how you heard about it, if possible. Be sure to include your name and phone number and we will notify you when the book has arrived.

For more help finding something to read try our reading suggestions lists.