Tis the season at the Bridgeport Public Library! The holidays are always bright at our library, due in large part to a very special tradition. Each year, the library puts up three holiday trees, all with a unique meaning. These trees are very special to us, our patrons, and a community organization that helps us make two of them possible.

 

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Bridgeport always sets up and decorates a large holiday tree in our front lobby. Each year, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, several members of the Woman’s Club arrive at the library early to take the tree out of storage, set it up, and decorate it to the nines. We love that we are able to have this special collaboration with the Woman’s Club.

 

In our Children’s Library sits another tree, also put up and decorated mostly by the Woman’s Club. The Woman’s Club was generous enough to purchase this tree for us and all of our young patrons to enjoy. The tree is decorated with adorable children’s themed ornaments. This year, we had students from Simpson Elementary School decorate the tree with pieces of red and green yarn while they were visiting the library for an event. It is important to us to include children in the decorating of this tree.

 

Our third and final tree has a long and interesting history. Our Scandinavian tree and its ornaments were donated by long-time library patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Griffin. For many years, they volunteered their time to provide this unique tradition to the library’s holiday décor. The library staff and our patrons appreciate this special tradition and staff support the continuation of it in honor of the late Wonda Griffin.

 

The tree is decorated with a Julnisse (a mischievous elf who lives in the lofts of old farmhouses and concerns himself with playing practical jokes on all,) a Julbock (the Yule goat of Sweden which is one of the most popular symbols of Christmas,) raffia rings with hearts (to signify using natural things,) wooden ornaments saying “welkommen” which means “welcome” in Danish, wooden ornaments painted red, green, and yellow, and small bouquets made of natural materials.

 

The staff of the Bridgeport Public Library wishes you a wonderful holiday season!

 

Editor's Note: Shown on the top left, is the library's Scandanavian tree, while the Children's tree is to the right. Bottom photo shows library staff member and Woman’s Club member Mary Matheny.