Polar Express Movie Party and Meet Santa

Today was so exhausting. I can't even begin to describe how drained I am right now.

We technically billed this day as two separate programs; Polar Express Movie Party first at 10:00 am, and then Meet Santa beginning at 12:30. However, I am blogging them together in one big lump of Christmas cheer.

The whole thing about the Polar Express party started a little over a month ago. The idea for the program was pitched to our youth services team, but we decided not to do it in favor of Snow Day. Snow Day was insanely popular, and had a much more inclusive "winter" theme than just the "Christmas" theme that a Polar Express party would have. So, the deadline for the December newsletter came and went without a mention of Polar Express at our branch (another branch did plan a Polar Express party that did not include a showing of the movie).

Long after the deadline, the party was brought up in a meeting and my manager's manager asked our team to plan it even though it did not appear in the newsletter. In that meeting we brainstormed a lot of ideas for the day, including showing the movie and having Santa visit the library. December 23rd was chosen for that day, mostly because it was the only available Saturday in December, but also to accommodate families who might not be able to afford pictures with Santa, or have a chance to visit Santa earlier in the month. And so, a movie license was purchased, a Santa was found on Craigslist (background checked and registered as a vendor with the city to get paid), and the program room was blocked off for us.

We made a sign! The train drawing at the bottom
shows the extent of my artistic ability.

The movie party went well, but attendance was much, much lower than hoped or expected. We bought juice and made popcorn for over 100 people, and only 25 came to watch the movie.

Millions of juice pouches

Nicole making popcorn

Kids watching the movie.

After the movie, we made the announcement that Santa would be coming at 12:30 for DIY pictures with kids and families. Because there were so many snacks and juice pouches left over, I left the program room open and stayed in there for about 45 minutes. We had a couple of families stay there as well, enjoying popcorn and juice, as well as the holiday music I put on the speakers. Before long, it was time for Santa to arrive!

I have to give a shout out to Anna (of Homeschool Corner fame) and her amazing dad, Ken. They are both very talented artists with the Sonoran Arts League in Cave Creek, AZ. Anna paints and makes jewelry, and Ken is an amazing sculptor who uses wood and metal in his work. He was willing to drive this fantastic, hand-made wooden throne to Mesa from his house in North Phoenix (about a 50 minute drive in good traffic) so that we had a fancy place for Santa to sit that wasn't a regular plastic chair. He brought Anna and the grandkids with him, so they all got a chance to hang out at the library and chill with Santa Claus.

Ken's beautiful hand-made wooden throne.

After Santa got settled, we had a lot of families line up to meet him and take pictures. I took some as well, and got permission from guardians to post the following adorable pics:

Ken, Madi, and Anna with Santa

Me, Anna, Ken, Madi, and baby Micah with Santa

After about an hour, we moved Santa and his throne into the children's area in the main part of the library for more exposure to our patrons.

Before he left, the three librarians on duty got a picture with Santa, too.

The librarians with Santa!

The biggest programming lesson I learned from this event was not to leave things to the last minute. Even though we got a lot of exposure online thanks to our marketing team, I know a lot of our patrons get their info about our programs directly from the printed newsletter. Even though attendance wasn't what we hoped for, the Polar Express movie party and Santa day were a lot of (very exhausting) fun. Now pardon me while I nap forever. Happy holidays!