November 28, 2025 | By Judi Byron

*Winter solstice coincides with multiple seasonal holidays. File photo by Gordon Miller*

Here are some highlights of December’s free programming at the Waterbury Public Library and upcoming holiday schedule changes.

The library will close early – at 3 p.m. – on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and will be closed all day on Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. Likewise, the following week, the library will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s Eve and will be closed all day on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.

As always, for more information about all of the library’s children’s and adult activities, visit online at waterburypubliclibrary.com.

The library staff wishes everyone safe and enjoyable holidays.

Now through Dec. 12: The Giving Tree

*Find The Giving Tree with its tags at the library now. Courtesy photo*

In keeping with a Waterbury holiday tradition, the library is hosting The Giving Tree, which is set up now.

Tags hung on the tree include the age, gender, clothing size, and any special wishes from an anonymous child. Library patrons may choose a tag to fulfill the child’s holiday wish. The tree is set up inside the library. Bring the tag of your choosing to the front desk to check it out.

After purchasing a gift for the child, participants are asked to bring the gift unwrapped to Wesley United Methodist Church at 56 South Main St. Include the library gift tag and wrapping materials (volunteers will wrap the presents).

Drop-off times at the church are Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14, between 10 a.m. and noon and 2-4 p.m. Monetary donations are also accepted in lieu of a gift. If you are making out a check, address it to The Giving Tree.

Dec. 4: Winter Teen Night

Kicking off the holiday season for teens is Winter Teen Night, an after-hours gathering from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. The gathering will include a White Elephant gift exchange where participants can either bring something to share or make a gift at one of the craft stations during the get-together. Other activities will include a photo booth and karaoke; the library will have snacks and drinks.

Dec. 6: Saturday Storytime

Little ones ages 6 and younger are invited along with a grownup to join Children’s Librarian Sandra Schewikert and Ms. Heather from The Children’s Room for Saturday Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Storytime features stories and songs, rhymes and movement activities designed to develop young children’s language, socialization skills, and love of reading.

Dec. 6: Library open around River of Light

*Waterbury’s River of Light Parade is Saturday, Dec. 6. File photo by Gordon Miller*

The Waterbury Public Library will be open from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The extra hours will run in conjunction with Waterbury’s River of Light Lantern Parade, which begins at 5 p.m. at Brookside Primary School.

Stop by the library to warm up and check out a good book, write a holiday card, tackle a puzzle or two, play a game, color and much more before or after the festivities. The library has great views of Dac Rowe Park where the parade finale will be held, and it’s a warm and dry space to hang out.

Dec. 9: Create a Meditation Practice

Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to support mental and emotional well-being. Yet committing to just 10 minutes a day can feel surprisingly hard. Join meditation practitioner River Buffum at the library for a session on creating an at-home ritual, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The benefits of meditation are numerous, and studies abound in the areas of mind, mood and health enhancements. This class can help those experienced in and new to meditation achieve a plan for consistency, making meditation both a grounding and enriching part of everyday life.

In this Create a Meditation Practice with River class, explore what can get in the way of consistency and how to discover the core pillars of a lasting practice; design a personalized home ritual, and learn simple and effective breathing techniques. The class portion lasts for one hour with 30 minutes reserved for navigating a free meditation app.

A meditation practitioner for over 25 years, River Buffum is the founder and owner of Butterfly Moon Wellness in Waterbury. She is a Reiki practitioner and meditation coach who offers classes, workshops, and one-on-one support. More online at butterflymoonwellness.com.

Programs on holiday hiatus

Some library programs are taking a break for the holiday season. These include, in no particular order: Silent Reading Party, No Pressure Book Group, Writers’ Wertfrei, and Grateful Gatherings, which will not meet in December.

December games, crafts, chair yoga

Games groups are on for December. These include Board Game Night on Dec. 2, Blood on the Clocktower on Dec. 11, Bridge on Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18; Mahjong and D&D and role playing every Saturday in December. Games in the evening are from 6-8 p.m. Bridge is 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Mahjong is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; D&D is 1-5 p.m.

Crafts also are on for December with Fiber Arts Friday on Dec. 12, noon to 2 p.m.; Handstitching is Monday, Dec. 15t, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Drop-in Watercolor Tuesdays continue in the Steele Community Room from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Note: This is not a watercolor class. These get-togethers will not have an instructor. They are a self-led opportunity for watercolorists to meet together to paint.

Chair Yoga also continues to meet on Wednesdays via Zoom through the holidays. These sessions are every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. led by yoga instructor Diana Whitney.

Dec. 21: Welcome Winter Qi Gong

Back by popular demand, Qi Gong is particularly good for the winter season, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the season of water, strengthening the kidneys, lower back, and warming the system.

The first class takes place on Winter Solstice, Sunday, Dec. 21, in the library’s garden at 1 p.m. Subsequent classes will be held on Tuesdays from Dec. 30 to Feb. 3, also at 1 p.m. in the garden. (No class on Jan. 27)

Note: this is a cold-weather practice, so dress accordingly. For more information and to sign up, email judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

Judi Byron is the Waterbury Public Library’s Adult Program Coordinator. Contact: 802-244-7036 or judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.

December highlights, schedule updates for library programs