Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family, and whether it’s your favorite time of year or you find it challenging, it’s good to have options for things to do when the house is full of people who may, or may not, be a) feeling the joy of the season, b) in a food coma, c) sick of football, d) hoping to start a deep political discussion.
The library has plenty of options for everyone, whatever your situation this holiday season. For a start, take a look at the range of things available in our Library of Things: Our new board games collection includes Ticket to Ride, Trekking: the National Parks Board Game, Conversation cards for kids and adults, checkers, chess, and more; Or how about a ukulele or two for some harmony before dessert, or binoculars for stargazing after dinner (and don’t forget the night sky guide to go with it); If the weather’s warm, get some exercise with our pickleball set; And if cooking has worn you out and the binge-watching couch potatoes are controlling the agenda, check out a Roku and get access to AppleTV+, Max, and Disney+ for free!
When the house suddenly seems very, very small and your deep, centering Thanksgiving affirmation turns into, I can’t take another minute cooped up with these people! never fear, we have options for outside the house too. Sign up now for our Family Trivia on Thanksgiving Friday afternoon (2:30-4:00 pm in the library’s Living Room). Or remember that our Museum Passes page has more than just a selection of great indoor institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, the Boston Children’s Museum, or the Peabody Essex. It also brings the whole family access to the great outdoors: try the Mass Audubon, DCR Massachusetts, or the Trustees of the Reservation passes, and let the fresh air and sunlight (or the November precipitation) clear out the cobwebs.
Finally, if topics of conversation are what you’re looking for, remember that in November we celebrate both Veterans Day and Indigenous People’s Month. Why not check out these resources from the National Archives to learn more about veterans and Veteran’s Day. Combine the two topics in this article called Why We Serve from the National Museum of the American Indian (a fantastic website for all kinds of information on Indigenous people), and find plenty of local information on the ever-expanding website of the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness where you can, among other things, take the 21-Day Indigenous Challenge.
Oh, and of course, have a chat with a Reference Librarian and get recommendations for books on the topics above or any others that interest you. The library is open until 5 pm on Thanksgiving Wednesday and for regular hours on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Turkey Day. Or just contact us at 781-246-6334 or email@wakefieldlibrary.org.
