Christmas holiday

Mrs. Claus checks on the toys and gingerbread men at Kaboodles toy store. (Ella Matte/News Staff) Mrs. Claus checks on the toys and gingerbread men at Kaboodles toy store. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

From Gen Z to Gen A, Mrs. Claus knows what kind of gifts to give away

‘I hope all the kids leave carrots and cookies out for Santa and the reindeer’

 

Amazon logo on the facade of one of their office buildings. Dreamstime | TNS

Good news for late holiday shoppers: Retailers are improving their delivery speeds

Haven’t ordered any of your holiday gifts yet? Well, you might find…

 

Mariah Carey performs at the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, Dec. 31, 2017, in New York. Billboard has posted a list of top seasonal hits since 2010, and Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” has been No. 1 for 57 of the 62 weeks it has run, said Gary Trust, chart director. The Luminate data company said the song peaked at 387 million streams in 2019, the song’s 25th anniversary, although last year it had 353 million. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP, File)

Why Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ became so popular – and stayed that way

If anything about Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”…

 

Michele Brynes, third-generation co-owner of the Dutch Bakery holds stollen that is a traditional holiday classic. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Victoria bakery has ‘stollen’ hearts this holiday season

The Dutch Bakery is in high demand in December

Michele Brynes, third-generation co-owner of the Dutch Bakery holds stollen that is a traditional holiday classic. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Cyber Monday –- a term coined back in 2005 by the National Retail Federation –- continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Today’s Cyber Monday may be the biggest online shopping day of all-time

U.S. retail observers say Black Friday weekend trends look positive for the industry

Cyber Monday –- a term coined back in 2005 by the National Retail Federation –- continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
A pair of decorative reindeer sit atop a float heading down Government Street as part of the 40th annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Five festive events to check out in Greater Victoria, including a parade

Seasonal magic returns to Greater Victoria with family-friendly festivities

A pair of decorative reindeer sit atop a float heading down Government Street as part of the 40th annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Heidi-Louise Chadwick and her two-year-old son waited in the Calgary airport for hours before their flight was cancelled, prompting her husband to drive 14 hours to save them. (Courtesy of Heidi-Louise Chadwick)

Victoria mom stranded in Calgary with toddler and no luggage finds Christmas miracle

Despite all the difficulties and numerous obstacles Heidi-Louise Chadwick made it home for Christmas

Heidi-Louise Chadwick and her two-year-old son waited in the Calgary airport for hours before their flight was cancelled, prompting her husband to drive 14 hours to save them. (Courtesy of Heidi-Louise Chadwick)
Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)

West Shore families putting new spins on old Christmas traditions

Welcome to the magic of monkeybread

Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)
Eric LAST NAME, the manager stands by the fire place in a cosy corner of the restaurant. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

More Victoria restaurants staying open for Christmas as diners seek options

Steamship Bar and Grill will offer a holiday menu that features turkey, ham and prime rib: oh my!

Eric LAST NAME, the manager stands by the fire place in a cosy corner of the restaurant. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker receives daily reports of people purchasing items that they never receive. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Greater Victoria shoppers warned about devious holiday scams

The BBB says shoppers should avoid buying items from retailers they don’t know

The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker receives daily reports of people purchasing items that they never receive. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)

Christmas comes early for determined Saanich Peninsula cyclist

Cycling Santas gift eight-year-old with new bike

The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. File photo

Brawl breaks out at company Christmas party in Princeton

Police were called to a private function at the Legion

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. File photo
The Santa Surf, an annual event on Stories Beach in Campbell River, features paddleboarders getting their best wet suits on and their santa costumes in a coastal Yuletide affair. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror

Paddleboards and..Santa? Campbell River hosts its annual Santa Surf

Annual event pushed to Sunday after Saturday’s wet weather

The Santa Surf, an annual event on Stories Beach in Campbell River, features paddleboarders getting their best wet suits on and their santa costumes in a coastal Yuletide affair. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror
This photo shows Charles Graves dressed as Santa Claus in Austin, Texas on on Sept. 3, 2022. Graves is a rare Deaf Santa in his first year donning the red suit as a professional. (Michael J. Samaripa via AP)

Santa’s back in town with inflation, inclusion on his mind

Santa booker HireSanta.com has logged a 30% increase in demand this year

This photo shows Charles Graves dressed as Santa Claus in Austin, Texas on on Sept. 3, 2022. Graves is a rare Deaf Santa in his first year donning the red suit as a professional. (Michael J. Samaripa via AP)
This home in the 1700-block of Sansum Park Drive in North Saanich was a popular destination for fans of Christmas lights last holiday season. The season’s top decorated homes are eligible to win prizes through the Thrifty Foods Light up the City event. (Black Press Media file photo)

Contest helps light up the holiday season in Greater Victoria

Thrifty Foods Light up the City event offers prizes for the best Christmas decorations

This home in the 1700-block of Sansum Park Drive in North Saanich was a popular destination for fans of Christmas lights last holiday season. The season’s top decorated homes are eligible to win prizes through the Thrifty Foods Light up the City event. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat on June 19, 2016. (Sue Simpson/Facebook photo)

Kamloops attack victim eagerly awaiting annual Christmas cards

Cards have come from as far as England to wish Jessie a Merry Christmas

  • Nov 10, 2022
Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat on June 19, 2016. (Sue Simpson/Facebook photo)
People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa on Dec. 24, 2020. A new report from Deloitte Canada says holiday spending in Canada is expected to drop this year as inflation shrinks consumer buying power and economic uncertainty looms over household finances. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

VIDEO: Holiday spending expected to slump amid inflation

Canadian households forecast to spend an average of $1,520 this year

People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa on Dec. 24, 2020. A new report from Deloitte Canada says holiday spending in Canada is expected to drop this year as inflation shrinks consumer buying power and economic uncertainty looms over household finances. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Peppermint Patty, Sally, Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy sing and howl together around their Christmas tree at Oak Bay’s Entrance Park, prior to Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy going missing in November 2021. Their co-creator Tim Roberts described the community outcry around their eight-month disappearance as heartwarming and exactly the reaction he and his daughter had hoped for. (Photo by Tim Roberts)

Community outcry for Peanuts characters ‘heartwarming,’ creator says

Missing Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy not a first for Tim and Meghan Roberts

Peppermint Patty, Sally, Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy sing and howl together around their Christmas tree at Oak Bay’s Entrance Park, prior to Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy going missing in November 2021. Their co-creator Tim Roberts described the community outcry around their eight-month disappearance as heartwarming and exactly the reaction he and his daughter had hoped for. (Photo by Tim Roberts)
A community effort brought replacement Christmas cut-outs of Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy, as well as Lucy, back to Entrance Park last December. A resident recently noticed the original Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy cutouts had been returned to the park, notifying municipal staff of the “early Christmas miracle.” (Courtesy of Whitney Davis)

‘Early Christmas miracle’: Missing Peanuts characters returned to Oak Bay home

Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy safe and sound after eight months gone

A community effort brought replacement Christmas cut-outs of Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy, as well as Lucy, back to Entrance Park last December. A resident recently noticed the original Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy cutouts had been returned to the park, notifying municipal staff of the “early Christmas miracle.” (Courtesy of Whitney Davis)
Jack Frost and his cast of Christmas characters. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Jack Frost making his mark on Chemainus, no really, Jack Frost

It’s his real name and has always made life interesting

Jack Frost and his cast of Christmas characters. (Photo by Don Bodger)