WEST PITTSTON – What’s the point of all the Christmas craziness without a little holiday hoopla?

West Pittston Library hosted its annual Holiday Hoopla party on Dec. 19, offering an event that gives children and parents the opportunity to make their own Christmas ornaments, share hot chocolate and enjoy holiday story time — all while wearing their pajamas.

Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles said Holiday Hoopla began five years ago as an answer to dwindling attendance at the library’s previous holiday event, A Night on The Polar Express. The hoopla is a fast-paced, activity-oriented night that Belles said promotes togetherness.

“We always say that it’s the third place — you have your work or school, home and then the library,” Belles said. “I feel like there’s kids that know each other just from coming to the library. They may not be in the same neighborhood or go to the same school as them, but they get to see their friends that they know from the library.”

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Eight-year-old West Pittston resident Janesa Perez is part of that community. This year was the second time she attended Holiday Hoopla and, although her ornament making skills were notable, her favorite part of the night was wearing pajamas in public. She said it was “really fun.”

The optional pajamas seemed to be a hit with attendees. West Pittston native Elizabeth Dessoye’s 4-year-old son, JD, said he liked that he could jump right into bed when he got home without worrying about the hassle of changing.

As the pajama-clad partiers pasted colorful felt decorations onto their tiny trees, Janesa’s mother Katrina sat across from her daughter and worked on the adult ornament assignment: a wreath.

“I enjoy it too,” Katrina said of the party. “It’s just something I get to experience with her, and she gets to go and tell her friends about all the exciting little things she gets to do and learn while she’s here.”

Janesa sat in the middle of the hoopla’s age range. Belles said she expected attendees from ages 4 to 12, so for story time she tried to pick a book that would appeal to a wide age range. She settled on “Santa’s Underwear” by Marty Rhodes Figley.

“I figured the big kids don’t necessarily want to sit through a picture book, but a book about underwear is kind of funny,” Belles said. “That’s why ‘Captain Underpants’ is so popular.”

After the reading was over, Belles asked the kids if they thought socks and underwear were good presents to unwrap Christmas morning. Her young audience responded negatively to the notion.

They did, however, enjoy the story.

“It was awesome,” said 5-year-old Harding resident Chloe Chepalonis.

Her favorite part of the book was “every page.”

Belles said next year’s event will feature new ornament projects and a new story, but one important aspect will remain.

“You get to come to the library in holiday pajamas. I mean, going out in public in pajamas is fun,” she said.

Sienna, 7, and her brother Alex, 4, Vieira, of Duryea enjoy each other’s company at the West PIttston Library event.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments1.jpgSienna, 7, and her brother Alex, 4, Vieira, of Duryea enjoy each other’s company at the West PIttston Library event. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Steven Rodgers, 4, of West Pittston, closes his cup after enjoying hot chocolate.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments2.jpgSteven Rodgers, 4, of West Pittston, closes his cup after enjoying hot chocolate. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Chloe Chepalonis, 5, of Harding, tests the shape of her Christmas light ornament.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments3.jpgChloe Chepalonis, 5, of Harding, tests the shape of her Christmas light ornament. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Andie Belles, 10, of West Pittston, makes a Christmas light ornament.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments4.jpgAndie Belles, 10, of West Pittston, makes a Christmas light ornament. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Jenessa Sancho, 8, of West Pittston, and her mom make Christmas ornaments during a holiday pajama day at West Pittston Library Tuesday night.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments5.jpgJenessa Sancho, 8, of West Pittston, and her mom make Christmas ornaments during a holiday pajama day at West Pittston Library Tuesday night. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads “Santa’s Underwear” to the children in between Christmas crafts.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments6.jpgYouth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads “Santa’s Underwear” to the children in between Christmas crafts. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Camden Feldman, 4, and his mom Amy, of Shavertown, work on Christmas ornaments.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments7.jpgCamden Feldman, 4, and his mom Amy, of Shavertown, work on Christmas ornaments. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Camden Feldman, 4, and his mom Amy, of Shavertown, work on Christmas ornaments.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Oraments7.CMYK_.jpgCamden Feldman, 4, and his mom Amy, of Shavertown, work on Christmas ornaments. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Sienna, 7, and her brother Alex, 4, Vieira, of Duryea enjoy each other’s company at the West PIttston Library event.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments1.CMYK_.jpgSienna, 7, and her brother Alex, 4, Vieira, of Duryea enjoy each other’s company at the West PIttston Library event. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Steven Rodgers, 4, of West Pittston, closes his cup after enjoying hot chocolate.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments2.CMYK_.jpgSteven Rodgers, 4, of West Pittston, closes his cup after enjoying hot chocolate. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Chloe Chepalonis, 5, of Harding, tests the shape of her Christmas light ornament.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments3.CMYK_.jpgChloe Chepalonis, 5, of Harding, tests the shape of her Christmas light ornament. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Andie Belles, 10, of West Pittston, makes a Christmas light ornament.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments4.CMYK_.jpgAndie Belles, 10, of West Pittston, makes a Christmas light ornament. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Jenessa Sancho, 8, of West Pittston, and her mom make Christmas ornaments during a holiday pajama day at West Pittston Library Tuesday night.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments5.CMYK_.jpgJenessa Sancho, 8, of West Pittston, and her mom make Christmas ornaments during a holiday pajama day at West Pittston Library Tuesday night. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads “Santa’s Underwear” to the children in between Christmas crafts.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_Ornaments6.CMYK_.jpgYouth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads “Santa’s Underwear” to the children in between Christmas crafts. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch
Holiday Hoopla at WP Library is fun event

By Gene Axton

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.