Explore the birth of Christmas traditions — from pine trees to poinsettias to plum pudding — during a free program at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, at Mentor Public Library’s Lake Branch, 5642 Andrews Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake. Allison Powell, a park ranger from James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, will share how many cherished holiday traditions began, according to a news release. She’ll also discuss how President Garfield’s family celebrated the holidays in their Mentor home. This program is open to all, but due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up at www.mentorpl.org or by calling the library at 440-257-2512.