Find low- or no-cost gift-giving opportunities and ideas at the Fond du Lac Public Library
Put more happy in the holidays by letting the Fond du Lac Public Library help with gift-giving. From personalized creations in our Idea Studio to like-new books at Chapter 52 Bookstore and more, the library has countless ways to help you gift better while saving money.
CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE IDEA STUDIO
Want a customized, one-of-a-kind gift without spending a lot? Visit the Idea Studio makerspace in the lower level of the Fond du Lac Public Library.
With less than 1 hour of training per machine, community members can create unique gifts using library equipment, such as:
- 3-D Printers: Create ornaments, small toys, fidget items, office accessories, or anything else you can imagine. Get up to six hours of free printing each week after training.
- Laser cutter: Engrave anything slate coasters, acrylic, wood, and more. Use of the laser cutter is free, but users are charged a minimal fee of $2 to $16 for the material used.
- Recording Studio: Record a song, family story, or special message for a loved one after getting trained on the equipment.
- Sublimation printer & heat press: Apply a special picture, photo, or graphic of your choice onto mugs, T-shirts, bookmarks, ornaments, and more. Prices are $2 to print the image, then $.50-$3.50 per item.
- Other equipment includes a button maker, Silhouette vinyl cutter, sewing machine, serger, embroidery machine, and more!
Idea Studio staff have several free events planned this month, including a Drop-In & Design: Laser Ornaments program on Dec. 4, and Badge & Make: Sublimation Ornament project-badging class on Dec. 8.
Learn more about what the Idea Studio offers at fdlpl.org/idea-studio
BUY IT FOR LESS AT CHAPTER 52
Take advantage of low prices and special sales at the Chapter 52 Bookstore, which offers great deals all year long. Located at 52 Sheboygan St., next door to the Main Library, the shop sells used books, movies, magazines and music at bargain prices.
Items sold at Chapter 52 are in good to like-new condition and cost far less than if they were purchased new. The store includes a wide variety of children’s books, adult fiction, and more.
During December, Chapter 52 Bookstore has several special sales planned to help shoppers stretch their dollars even further. On Saturday, Dec. 6, stop in for half-off cookbooks; then, on Saturday, Dec. 20, buy holiday movies and books at a buy one, get one free sale.
Chapter 52 also holds Music & Movie Mondays, Two for Tuesday sales, and Wednesdays are Senior Citizen Day.
Shoppers can stop by to meet two local authors during December: Sandra Hoffmann on Dec. 13 and Malcolm Woods on Dec. 20. Each author will autograph and have copies of their books for sale from 10 am to noon.
LEARN TO MAKE IT AT HOME WITH CREATIVEBUG
Discover unlimited access to thousands of online art and craft classes – free through the Fond du Lac Public Library. Creativebug.com provides award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
After logging in with your FDLPL library card, watch videos to learn how to knit a scarf or crochet a shawl. Or, make delectable goodies by following the online class “From My Kitchen to Yours: A Month of Giftable Goods & Recipes.”
Surprise your guests with quick and easy hostess tips and decorating ideas in Creativebug’s “Holiday and Parties” section.
The library has plenty of other free, online services to enjoy as well. Use Mango Languages to learn how to say wish someone a happy holiday in a variety of languages. Or, plan a movie night with someone special and stream a free movie (or tv series) through Kanopy, available only with your Fond du Lac Public Library card.
TAKE IT HOME FROM THE LIBRARY
The library has plenty of other gift-giving ideas and materials to try.
Surprise a friend with a book you can only find at the library. A limited supply of the local history book, “Life by the Lake: Stories of Fond du Lac,” are available at the Main Library; receive a free copy when you purchase a $5 gift certificate to Chapter 52 Bookstore.
Love to bake? Borrow cookie cutters, holiday cake pans, or icing tips from the library’s extensive equipment collection to create fun treats. Gifters also can discover new ideas for baked treats by borrowing a cookbook from the library.
Gift giving has never been easier with the Library’s Wrapping Paper Exchange. Through Dec. 23, pick up a new-to-you roll of gift wrap to surprise gift something special at no cost. Or, drop off an unwanted partial or full roll of paper to share the joy.
However you want to gift, the Fond du Lac Public Library is here to help.