Are you planning to “go green” this Christmas? Do you want to economize by making your own greeting cards, tree ornaments, and gifts? San José Public Library branches have many books available to create Christmas crafts for all ages. A keyword search using “Christmas crafts” gives a results list for you to select from a variety of titles. Library staff will be glad to assist you if you need help to search the catalog and to place a request when your neighborhood branch doesn’t have that ideal book on the shelf. Customers may have up to 5 requested items at any time.

The San Jose Mercury News would like to see ornaments made by children. Snap a picture of a handmade ornament and send it to Joan Morris, jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell her about who made it, how it was made, and why it’s special to you.  Deadline is 5 p.m. Dec. 8. You must include your name and contact information. Photos of as many as possible of the entries will be published on Dec. 17.