This time of year is probably not the first one that pops into your head when you think about Laura Ingalls Wilder, but it turns out that this December anyway is full of all things Laura. Click here and listen to all the news on this podcast.

There are special hours and events this weekend at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (part of the complex that holds Laura’s papers) in West Branch, Iowa, at the Almanzo Wilder Farm in Malone/Burke, New York (it’s located midway between the two towns), at the Laura Ingalls Wilder/Rose Wilder Lane Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri (you can get your photo taken inside Rocky Ridge’s living room, just the thought has me itching to start driving south, oh well maybe next year) and the Pepin Hometime Holiday in Pepin, Wisconsin (not really a Laura event, just an old fashioned Christmas, but the museum will be open extra and there is lots of Laura like stuff going on). The Little House on the Prairie Museum has special holiday hours (not this weekend, but the next two December weekends (check their website for dates and hours).

Also, there has been a genuine explosion the last few years of places putting on one of three Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas plays. While not the most accurate portrayals you’ve seen, they make a nice holiday experience with locations around the country. I found about 8 in just a quick search (including one in Des Moines, Iowa and one in Washington, D.C.) so if you have a theater anywhere around your area check and see if they are putting on a production and if they aren’t suggest it for next year. It’s truly becoming a Christmas tradition in many places.

Finally watch for a post here soon listing which homesites are open for Christmas shopping and the final deadlines orders have to be placed by to insure Christmas delivery, but just because it isn’t up yet doesn’t mean you can’t go ahead and order. Take a look at your favorite Laura homesite museum gift shop. Remember that gift shop profits help to keep the museums open.

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Facebook and Twitter and YouTube
and Blog Talk Radio
Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association, Vice-President and Membership Chair