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 Christmas tree, help the less fortunate and head to the library to pick up some good Christmas reads and enjoy wonderful programs.

Central Library will host “An Evening of Song: Library Idol” at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. Patrons of all ages are welcome to send videos of them singing Christmas tunes to JoAnn Proctor (japroctor@stjohn.lib.la.us.) by Dec. 11. After reviewing the videos, the qualified patrons will be contacted to show off their skills at the main event. Prizes will be given! For more information, call Proctor at 985-652-6857, ext. 2001.

Patrons are invited to make beautiful “Christmas Wreaths” that can be used to decorate their homes for the holidays at 6 p.m. Dec. 5. They are also welcome to attend our “Christmas Floating Teacups” craft at 6 p.m. Dec. 20. Please stop by or call the Central Library to sign-up.

The Central Library will have a “Snowflake Party” at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and a “Gingerbread House Craft” at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 for tweens and teens. For more information, call Carly Maurin at 985-652-6857.

“Morning Makers” will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Reserve Library. Adult patrons are invited to create a candy cane wreath made with ribbon and flowers. Patrons are welcome to bring deco mesh if they prefer. Please call the Reserve Library at 985-536-4107 to reserve your spot.

The Reserve Branch is hosting a “Christmas Tea Party” at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6. Children, ages 2 to 5, are invited to come out and enjoy cookies with hot cocoa and take pictures with Santa.

“Make Shoppe” will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. Patrons are to bring a sweater to create the tackiest sweater possible for “Ugly Sweater Craft Night.” Registration is mandatory, so please call the Reserve Library to sign-up.

A Christmas Guessing Jar contest starts at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Garyville Branch and ends at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Patrons must use the services of the library to qualify to guess how many M&M’s are inside of the jar. The winner will be notified on the last day of the contest and will be able to take the jar home.

“Snowflake Mason Jars” at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 for tweens and teens and at 2 p.m. for adults. These can be used as vases, décor around the house, candle holders, utensil holders or as a Christmas gift. Call the Garyville Library at 985-535-6868 to register.

The Edgard Library will host an “Ugly Sweater Contest” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. All adult patrons are welcome to dress up in their favorite sweater to see which outfit is the most creative and original. The winner receives a small gift.

Children, ages 6 to 12, are invited out to make “Rudolph Reindeer Candy Bars” at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and “Origami X-mas Trees” at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12. For more information, call branch supervisor Carlos Diaz at 985-497-3453.

Santa will be visiting each library during this holiday season: At 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Reserve Library, 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Garyville Library, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Central Library and 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Edgard Library.

There will be a multitude of programs at each library in December. For a full list, please refer to our calendar at stjohn.lib.la.us, Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library) or pick up a newsletter at any of our four branches. I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, don’t forget St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries have Twitter and Instagram accounts. Please follow us and like us!

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