Merriam-Webster defines tradition as “the passing down of beliefs, information, or customs from one generation to the next.” For most of us, how we spend our holiday season is wrapped up in tradition. I’m always fascinated to meet someone new and hear about how their family celebrates the holidays. I also appreciate how traditions change when people marry or have their own children. Growing up, we opened all our presents on Christmas Day. We always had presents from Santa, which were unwrapped (under the tree). All other presents were wrapped. And Christmas dinner was a big, multi-family meal at my mom’s best friend’s house.
As adults, my husband and I have shaped our own traditions. We still eat orange rolls on Christmas morning (his family). For Christmas dinner, we have turkey AND roast beef (both families). And on Christmas Eve, we watch the best Christmas movie of all time - “Die Hard”. Because it just isn’t Christmas until Hans Gruber falls off Nakatomi Plaza.
All these traditions enhance my sense of family and of season, and they fill me with gratitude. There are as many ways to experience gratitude as there are reasons to be grateful, and we have quite a few books in the library about thankfulness and gratitude.
For Children
- All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (2009) - This Caldecott Honor book follows family and friends through the course of a day as they discover the importance of all things, great and small.
- A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead (2010) - When zookeeper Amos McGee gets sick, the animals come and take care of him.
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (2015) - A triple award-winner, which follows a grandmother and grandson on a bus ride as they appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
For Adults
- A Book of Uncommon Prayer: 100 Celebrations of the Miracle & Muddle of the Ordinary by Brian Doyle (2014) - unorthodox but beautiful, the late author finds joy and gratitude in the small moments of everyday life.
- Gratitude by Oliver Sacks (2015) - This small book contains four short essays written by Sacks after he was diagnosed with cancer. His reflections are both poignant and uplifting.
- Emotional Success: The Power of Gratitude, Compassion and Pride by David DeSteno (2018) - the three emotions in the subtitle (gratitude, compassion and pride) are easy to generate, with the added benefit that they become stronger the more we use them.
- The Thank-You Project: Cultivating Happiness One Letter of Gratitude at a Time by Nancy Davis Kho (2019) - Have you ever written thank-you notes to the people who helped you become who you are? This book is about one woman’s project to do just that.
Many of us send cards to friends and family during the holidays. If you haven’t already, consider sending a handwritten letter of gratitude to someone in your life. You could start your own tradition - and what a good way to brighten someone’s day this season. Happy Holidays!
New at the Library
Fiction
- Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
- Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah
- Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell
Nonfiction
- Life’s Short, Talk Fast: 15 Writers on Why We Can’t Stop Watching the Gilmore Girls edited by Ann Hood
- Does This Taste Funny?: Recipes Our Family Loves by Stephen Colbert
- How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful and Wealthy Retirement by Christine Benz
Children
- The Christmas Star by Beatrix Potter
- Baby Animals Trying: A Celebration of First Moments by Aimee Reid
- One Wise Sheep by Ulrich Hub
