InfoCentral

Every week the library publishes an article in the Westland Observer on a new subject. Below is this week's article.

Holiday Gift Giving

InfoCentral, December 11 - 17, 2009

The holidays are upon us! Pressure is building to create the best possible holiday experience for our families. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or some other type of winter holiday, you may still be looking for a few special presents.

Although there are many theories as to when traditional holiday gift giving began, many authorities say that it dates back to ancient Roman times when gifts were given in honor of winter solstice. Originally, evergreen branches were a typical gift. Later, honey and cakes were given to symbolize prosperity and sweetness in the coming year. My how times have changed!

Whether you are looking for traditional or novel gift ideas, you can count on the Library to have books to help you! The Perfect Present, by Robyn Freedman Spizman, suggests creating a scrapbook of family traditions for children of any age in your family. Include favorite recipes, stories about family traditions and how they began and holiday photos from previous years. 1,001 Great Gifts, by Sheldon, says older adults may enjoy ballroom dancing lessons or a membership in a fitness club. How about adopting an animal at the Detroit Zoo (www.detroitzoo.org) in the name of a friend or relative? Or go to the National Wildlife Federation website (www.nwf.org), where you can adopt an animal, or adopt a wildlife acre in someone’s honor. These adoptions usually include stuffed animals and other perks. For the reader who has everything, consider donating a book to the Library in their honor. A personalized nameplate will be inserted in the front of the book.

Maybe you are just looking for a quick, last minute idea. Books, such as, Great Gifts You Can Make in Minutes, by Beth Franks, Last Minute Christmas Gifts, by Carol Taylor, and Great Gifts: Toast the Host offer hundreds of novel gift ideas.