CUMMING — The Forsyth County Public Library staff is ready for the holiday season, with a calendar full of events — from holiday-themed storytimes and movies to craft sessions and activities for patrons of all ages — throughout December at all four of its branches.

Sensitive Santa

Christmas is not always the most wonderful time of the year for children with sensory or other special needs, such as autism.

In fact, a visit to sit on Santa’s lap can be scary for those children and frustrating for their parents who simply want to give their child a good experience with the time-honored tradition.

All library locations will offer a Sensitive Santa program that allows children to meet one on one with Santa in a room with dim lighting and soft voices for 10 minutes.

Sensitive Santa will appear on the following schedule: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cumming Library; 2:15 p.m. Sunday at the Post Road Library; 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Hampton Park Library; and 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Sharon Forks Library.

Families may bring their own cameras to capture their child’s experience. Advance registration is required.

Christmas characters and crafts

Local author Marie Kirkpatrick will read her book, “Frankie’s Christmas Surprise,” to an audience at the Cumming Library at 3:15 this afternoon.

All ages are welcome, and no prior registration is needed.

Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates is putting on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!” events Dec. 7-20, where the beloved 1966 animated movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown, along with Grinch-themed treats, crafts and even a visit from the Grinch himself.

The program is open to patrons of all ages. Advance registration is required.

All ages are welcome to build their own gingerbread house at the Hampton Park Library at 5 p.m. Dec. 8. No advance registration is required.

American Girl Holiday Tea will celebrate the approaching holidays with patrons’ favorite dolls at 2:15 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Post Road Library.

Children ages 5-10 are invited to dress up as their favorite American Girl character, enjoy tasty snacks and tea, try out the photo booth and make crafts to share with their doll.

Advance registration is required.

Children ages 4-10 can enjoy decorating ornaments and making air fresheners, bookmarks and key chains to give to their family and friends at the Holiday Gift Crafting for Kids program at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 19 in the Post Road Library.

Popular programs such as Puppetpalooza: Holiday Edition, holiday movie picnics, family movies, ‘Tis the Season for Stories, and Saturday Santa at the Hampton Park and Sharon Forks libraries are also planned.

Just for teens

Teens can learn to make intricate pop-up greeting cards for their family and friends at the Sharon Forks Library from 6-8 tonight. The Holiday Pop-Up Card Making for Teens program is open to students in sixth grade and higher.

The Cumming Library will hold the Washi Tape Wizardry for Teens gift-making program at 2 p.m. Dec. 5, where teens can learn all about washi tape before making their own.

Middle and high school students can make hot cocoa Christmas ornaments, peppermint sugar scrub, fabric wreaths, decoupage ornaments and stamped washer necklaces at the Holiday Gift Crafting for Teens program at the Post Road Library at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Advance registration is required.

Teens can also try their hand at creating puppet characters, scripts and props at the Puppet Show Workshop for Teens at the Sharon Forks Library from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 30.

The season wraps up for teens with the Cocoa and Karaoke program at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30 in the Post Road Library. Teens in sixth-12th grades can enjoy a steaming cup of cocoa while singing their favorite songs.

Gift crafting for grown-ups

Need a gift for friends, neighbors or maybe a child’s teacher?

The Post Road Library’s Makerday is set for Sunday, during which adults can create homemade gift jars. This program is for adults only, and advance registration is required.

On the second Friday of each month, Creative Circle meets at 2 p.m. at the Cumming Library for creative fun and fellowship. On Dec. 11, the group will be making snow globes.

Participation is free, and no advance registration is required.

Adults can discover a new hobby or try a make-and-take craft at the Hobby Share Fair from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Cumming Library.