Christmas

November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo

Homemade for the Christmas holidays

Do-it-yourself decorating for a greener world

  • Dec 24, 2021
November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo
What was the best Christmas present you ever received? (File photo)

Wolf: The best Christmas present of all-time remains a treasured memory

Column: ‘She was there. She still is, every year’

What was the best Christmas present you ever received? (File photo)
The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Gift cards rule retail as mall shops work around supply chain issues

Shopping anywhere is a boutique experience right now, says Victoria mall general manager

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? What about eggnog – yay or nay?

On the plus side, more Canadians expecting the holidays to be less stressful than last year

People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Olivia Jackson recounts her adventure with ‘a grinch’ Wednesday, Dec. 22. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks girl finds the Grinch before Christmas

‘The Grinch hates Christmas,’ says six-year-old Olivia Jackson

Olivia Jackson recounts her adventure with ‘a grinch’ Wednesday, Dec. 22. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)

Loved ones need extra support during the holidays: BC Cancer

Victoria counsellor stresses the importance of connection for those impacted by disease

Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)
Our Place Society volunteers serve up Christmas lunch at the downtown service provider’s Dec. 22 event. (Photo by Grant McKenzie/Our Place)

Our Place Society dishes up holiday cheer at annual Christmas lunch in Victoria

COVID-19 restrictions don’t stop celebratory event from providing a hearty meal for the hungry

Our Place Society volunteers serve up Christmas lunch at the downtown service provider’s Dec. 22 event. (Photo by Grant McKenzie/Our Place)
A Nanaimo woman who dropped off some Christmas baking for her neighbour and noticed that it was still on his front porch days later may have helped save the man's life, as he was in medical distress. (Stock photo)

Neighbour’s gift of Christmas baking may have saved a life in Nanaimo

83-year-old man was in medical distress in his home

A Nanaimo woman who dropped off some Christmas baking for her neighbour and noticed that it was still on his front porch days later may have helped save the man's life, as he was in medical distress. (Stock photo)
While BC Transit will be running buses on Dec. 25, other businesses and services will be closed for the holiday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
While BC Transit will be running buses on Dec. 25, other businesses and services will be closed for the holiday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
FILE - Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival on April 14, 2018, in Indio, Calif. The Fleet Foxes song “White Winter Hymnal,” written by Pecknold, and released in 2008, has become a modern holiday standard, sung by children’s choirs in countless school assemblies. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Red snow? Song becomes a most unexpected modern standard for the holidays

Songwriter surprised at how ‘White Winter Hymnal’ has turned into a Christmas staple

FILE - Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival on April 14, 2018, in Indio, Calif. The Fleet Foxes song “White Winter Hymnal,” written by Pecknold, and released in 2008, has become a modern holiday standard, sung by children’s choirs in countless school assemblies. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
Travel at Christmastime is one of the lifestyle elements most likely to be out of the budget for 2021, according to research done by insurance evaluation firm HelloSafe. (Flickr/Chillihead)

Canadian Christmas spending could shrink 4 to 12%; travel, leisure activities most affected: survey

Level of COVID-19 resurgence will determine how much spending is impacted, says HelloSafe

Travel at Christmastime is one of the lifestyle elements most likely to be out of the budget for 2021, according to research done by insurance evaluation firm HelloSafe. (Flickr/Chillihead)
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

From long-lasting traditions to fads, there’s a lot of history to play and recreation.

Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)
The SOS Thrift Shop truck was reported stolen in Parksville on Dec. 16, 2021. (SOS Facebook photo)

Grinch alert: SOS Thrift Shop truck reported stolen in Parksville

Organization busy collecting donations to make Christmas brighter for PQB residents

The SOS Thrift Shop truck was reported stolen in Parksville on Dec. 16, 2021. (SOS Facebook photo)
Events at the Greater Victoria Downtown Business Association’s Lights of Wonder demonstration will take place nightly (barring Dec. 25) from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Downtown Business Association)

Lights of Wonder opens in Centennial Square

Downtown Victoria Business Association’s light show returns after a 2020 hiatus

Events at the Greater Victoria Downtown Business Association’s Lights of Wonder demonstration will take place nightly (barring Dec. 25) from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Downtown Business Association)
Santa Claus will drop by Sidney for a visit on Sunday (Dec. 19) after being invited by the Peninsula Celebrations Society. Santa will be at at the bandshell in Sidney’s Beacon Park from noon to 3 p.m. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Santa coming to Sidney on Dec. 19

Peninsula Celebration Society prepares to hold its first event in two years

Santa Claus will drop by Sidney for a visit on Sunday (Dec. 19) after being invited by the Peninsula Celebrations Society. Santa will be at at the bandshell in Sidney’s Beacon Park from noon to 3 p.m. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island woman crochets police dogs blankets for Christmas

Woman who loves to crochet creates blankets for all four of Nanaimo RCMP’s police service dogs

RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)
A Santa gets ready to launch. Photo courtesy Billie Harlow.

VIDEO: Santa Paddle spreads holiday spirit on the waves

Santa caps and wet suits together make for a festive outfit

A Santa gets ready to launch. Photo courtesy Billie Harlow.
One Oak Bay family’s tree of gratitude, much like an advent calendar of goodwill, shares a new positive message or action each day. (Michael Cunliffe/Twitter)

Popular Oak Bay gratitude tree spreads goodwill, community engagement

‘We still need the positivity in the world and always do’: Michael Cunliffe

One Oak Bay family’s tree of gratitude, much like an advent calendar of goodwill, shares a new positive message or action each day. (Michael Cunliffe/Twitter)
People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in Christmas run in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Bah! Humbug! Italian bishop apologizes for telling kids Santa doesn’t exist

A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after…

People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in Christmas run in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)