By: Lauren Gray, Head of Reference
Share the gift of history this holiday season
Day 1: Puzzles
It hardly seems like it’s been a year since last Cyber Monday. This weekend kicked off the official start of the holidays. Truth be told, the 2020 season is going to look a little different, but that doesn’t dampen our spirits for a fun, safe, and merry celebration. Regardless of the holiday you observe, this is the season to appreciate the ups and downs of the year past, and to spread joy, cheer, and love (but no germs, please).
Many Kansans have used this year as an opportunity to explore projects at home, from house remodels to DIY Halloween costumes. With the holidays just around the corner, and most of us shopping online, we thought it would be fun to give you ideas of how to use items from our collections for DIY craft projects to give to your friends and family. Is Grandma always looking for her bookmark? Do you search for the perfect calendar every year for Dad? Why not make your own? We have combed through our collections to find the best images for your DIY holiday gifts. Feel free to download and save these images for your favorite holiday presents.
We may not be crowding into stores this season, but you can spend your December days creating and crafting your own meaningful expressions of holiday cheer. The only limit is your imagination. For the next 12 days, tune into our blog spot on Kansas Memory and get some inspiration for your DIY holiday gifts and giving.
Happy gluing!
On the first day of archives, my archivists gave to me….
Puzzles!
Who doesn’t love a good puzzle? Granted, we may all be a little puzzled-out at this point in the year, but as the cold, snowy days of winter creep in, a fun puzzle would go great alongside a cup of cocoa and a crackling fire.
There are many free templates online – just download, print, cut, and play!
Here are our favorite puzzling images from the archives:
Grangers vs. Hoppers – During the 19th century, it seemed like the Hoppers (grasshoppers) would spell defeat for the Grangers (farmers), but with some wit and ingenuity (and a little luck), Kansas farmers defeated those pesky Hoppers.
By the turn of the 20th century, the automobile was firmly established on America’s streets, but rural communities still relied on the horse and wagon to get them to and fro. As for this cheerful family, where are they going and what are they doing? Maybe it’s to grandmother’s house they go? Dashing through the…wheat fields?
Kansas belonged to the cowboys during the 19th century, and while this gent’s identity leaves us puzzled, his swarthy charm deserves a place in our puzzle line-up.
Check back tomorrow for another DIY craft project!
Wishing you a very happy holiday season!