The holidays are approaching, and it’s the perfect time to wear that ugly Christmas sweater, spend time with family and friends, decorate your home and the Christmas tree, help the less fortunate and head to the library to pick up some good Christmas reads and enjoy wonderful programs.

Each library branch will be hosting a plethora of Christmas programs. The Central Library will be hosting a Christmas Craft for adult patrons at 6 p.m. Dec. 15. Patrons will have the opportunity to make candy cane candle holders. Registration for this program is mandatory.

Tweens and teens will have a Snowflake Party at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and make Christmas Shrinky Dink Ornaments at 6 p.m. Dec. 12.

Mrs. Lynn Braud, our Children/Outreach Librarian, will be hosting a Christmas Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 16, a Kreative Kidz at 10 a.m. Dec. 17, a Christmas Crafternoon at 2 p.m. Dec. 21 and a Christmas Books & Beyond at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

On Dec. 17, at the Central Library in LaPlace, Mrs. Ingrid Green Adams will conduct a children’s writing class from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome to attend. She will also host an evening presentation at 6 p.m. Dec. 19. Adults are invited to listen and interact as she presents her monologue. For more information, call 985-652-6857.

The Reserve Branch is now hosting a Christmas Tree Competition. Patrons are encouraged to drop by the branch to pick up an 18-inch tree while supplies last. Entries will be displayed during the holiday season. Deadline for submission is Dec. 12. A Michael’s gift card will be given away for the most creative tree.

Adult patrons are invited to the Reserve Branch Dec. 8 to enjoy “A Christmas Carol” movie at 10 a.m. This month’s Make Shoppe will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 12, and patrons will be creating Christmas centerpieces, using wine glasses, flowers and ribbons. Morning Makers will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 15. Patrons will be making candy cane wreaths.

Children will be able to enjoy making Christmas stockings at the Reserve Branch’s Make & Take event Dec. 10. Stockings will be made while supplies last all day at the branch. For more information about the programs, call the Reserve Branch at 985-536-4107.

The Garyville Branch will host a Christmas Eat Your Art program at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Children will be coloring a pre-sketched candy cane and receiving one to snack on at the end of the program. An Ornament Decorating Craft will be held Dec. 15 at 4:30 p.m.; Handmade Christmas Cards will be made Dec. 21 at 3 p.m.; Christmas Bingo will be played Dec. 22 at 3:30 p.m.; and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m. All programs are for children ages 6 and up.

A Christmas Guessing Jar contest will be held, starting on Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. and ending Dec. 22. There will be two jars filled with red and green candy. Patrons will have to guess the amount inside of each jar without going over.

Children will get one guess after naming at least half of Santa’s reindeers. Adults can guess only if they check out an item from the library. The winners will be announced on the last day of the contest.

They will receive the jars of candy as their prizes. For more information, call the Garyville Library at 985-535-6868.

During the holiday season, the Edgard Branch will be closed for renovations. Patrons can visit the other library branches to check out materials, use the computers, and enjoy adult, tweens, teens and children programming.

For a full list of all programs, please refer to our online calendar on our website, or pick up a newsletter at any of our branches. I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Kearston Poche’ is the administrative services coordinator for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at 985-652-6587.