Looking for an inexpensive way to celebrate the holidays? Pierce County Libraries offer programs and projects for just about any age group. Have young grand children visiting? Check out the opportunities to make and decorate their very own gingerbread house or go watch a variety show featuring comical marionettes.  Want something for yourself? Learn to make a holiday wreath or centerpiece, listen to local musicians or take up a new hobby with lessons on book making.  Need something a bit more cerebral? Learn about the Civil War, listen to a lecture on opera or hear a local author. It’s all at Pierce County Libraries. Reminder to Tacoma residents: You can have a Pierce County Library card and a Tacoma Public Library card. If you live outside of Tacoma, check here to see if you qualify for a Pierce County Library card.
Bonney Lake Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St. E.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 – 2 p.m. Wreath Making All are welcome to learn techniques. For those who would like to make a wreath, cost is $5 for supplies. Registration required. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar - Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. Puppets Please
- Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Holiday Caroling
The Dickens Carolers, a professional a cappella quartet, dressed in authentic Victorian costumes, will sing.
Buckley Pierce County Library, 123 S. River Ave.
- Saturday, Dec. 10, noon. Puppets Please
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register in the library.
DuPont Pierce County Library, 1540 Wilmington Drive
- Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar
Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive N.W.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register in the library.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m. Holiday Concert
The award-winning ensemble, Evergreen Brass Quintet, will perform seasonal music. - · Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. – noon. Holiday Centerpiece Workshop
All are welcome to learn techniques. For those who would like to make a centerpiece, cost is $15 for supplies. Registration required. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar - Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Veteran opera lecturer Norm Hollingshead will inform and entertain with an enthusiastic preview of the Seattle Opera production of Giuseppi Verdi’s “Attila.â€Â Italian opera master Verdi’s dramatic work of historical fiction features assassination plots, dirty politics, and plenty of pomp and circumstance. Attila the Hun and his conquering hordes clash with cunning women warriors and a scheming Roman general. This rousing showdown between good and evil boasts expressive melodies, glorious choral pieces and standout arias.
- Wednesday, Dec. 21, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Puppets Please
Graham Pierce County Library, 9202 224th St. E.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Holiday Concert
All ages will enjoy tunes with The Totem-Aires/Tacoma Barbershop Harmony Chorus. - Tuesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Puppets Please
Key Center Pierce County Library, 8905 KPN, Lakebay
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Holiday Concert
Vocal music lovers will welcome the holidays with the Seattle ensemble Madrigalia. Friends of the Key Center Library encourage people to bring donations for the Key Peninsula Food Bank. - Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. Gingerbread Houses. All ages. Register in the library.
Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W.
- Monday, Dec. 5, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Book Making
Participants will learn to make a simple book with pamphlet stitch binding and gain skills to create homemade presents. - Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. Puppets Please
Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library, Surprise Lake Square, 900 Meridian E., Suite 29
- Saturday, Dec. 10, 3:30 p.m. Puppets Please
- Thursday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. All ages; under 6 with an adult. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar
Orting Pierce County Library, 202 Washington Ave. S. 98360
- Thursday, Dec. 8, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 13-17. No registration required.
- Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 – 4 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar
Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S.
- Friday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar - Saturday, Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m. Puppets Please
South Hill Pierce County Library, 15420 Meridian E.
- Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Puppets Please
- Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1 – 5 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar - Friday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday. Guests will sip tea while they talk with Sharon Johnson, local author of “The Darcys of Pemberley,†a sequel to “Pride and Prejudice.†Learn about Jane Austen’s life and work, and hear true tales of the rocky road to publication. Copies of “The Darcys of Pemberley†will be available for purchase at the event.
Steilacoom Pierce County Library, 2950 Steilacoom Blvd.
- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar
Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma
- Saturday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m. Puppets Please
Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave.Â
- Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. Gingerbread Houses. All ages: under 6 with an adult. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/
calendar - Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. Puppets Please
- Saturday, Dec.17, 3 p.m. Holiday Stories
Dave Rasmussen from the Fireside Story League will share delightful holiday short stories.
University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Place W.
- Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War, a reading and discussion series, will open with an orientation on Thursday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., and include five discussions on Thursdays: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. The library will provide all materials at the orientation, including the following books for discussion:  Registration is required. People may sign up at the library or by calling 253-548-3307.
- “America’s War: Talking about the Civil War and Emancipation on their 150th Anniversaries†edited by Edward L. Ayers.
- “Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam†by James M. McPherson.
- “March†by Geraldine Brooks.
- Saturday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. Puppets Please