Christmas

The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)

Sooke Christmas Bureau preparing for increased demand

Application deadline Dec. 3 for families in need

The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)
A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)

Santa Claus Parade returns to Sooke streets

Popular parade returns after a two-year absence

A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)
Santa celebrates the season at the legislative buildings in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Santa hits Victoria first as parades start to fill the streets

Seasonal parades cruise the region Nov. 28, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5

Santa celebrates the season at the legislative buildings in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Walmart kicked off the season with its Top Toys of 2021 list late last month. (Pixabay photo)

Grumpy Care Bear rounds out Walmart Canada’s must-have retro toy list this Christmas

Spark a Miracle campaign aims to raise $200,000 for children’s hospitals

Walmart kicked off the season with its Top Toys of 2021 list late last month. (Pixabay photo)
Goldstream Food Bank Society volunteer Petra Benbow, left, president Gayle Ireland and volunteer Cynthia Fizzard show off a fully loaded shopping cart similar to the Christmas hampers the organization will soon be giving out. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘It means a great deal:’ Goldstream food bank busy preparing Christmas hampers

The holiday meal-themed hampers will also include gift cards to buy a turkey and toys for the kids

Goldstream Food Bank Society volunteer Petra Benbow, left, president Gayle Ireland and volunteer Cynthia Fizzard show off a fully loaded shopping cart similar to the Christmas hampers the organization will soon be giving out. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Visitors take photos in Toronto’s Distillery District, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Almost half of Canadians plan to abandon social distancing during holiday gatherings and hug, kiss and shake hands with friends and family, a poll shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

45 per cent prepared to ditch social distancing at holiday gatherings: poll

Only 35 per cent said they would invite someone who is not fully vaccinated into their home

Visitors take photos in Toronto’s Distillery District, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Almost half of Canadians plan to abandon social distancing during holiday gatherings and hug, kiss and shake hands with friends and family, a poll shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. From left: Mark DuMez, Georgia Bennett and Randy Huber couldn’t be happier about the upcoming return to the stage at the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Holiday Jubilation a momentous occasion for Chemainus Theatre

First live performance on stage since March 2020 designed to make the Christmas season shine

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. From left: Mark DuMez, Georgia Bennett and Randy Huber couldn’t be happier about the upcoming return to the stage at the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A group has gathered for nearly seven years in Oak Bay to create Christmas hampers. This year the party moves to Vic West. (Courtesy Joyce Kline)

Holiday hamper party moves from Oak Bay to Vic West

Group targets building 200 food boxes for those in need across Greater Victoria

A group has gathered for nearly seven years in Oak Bay to create Christmas hampers. This year the party moves to Vic West. (Courtesy Joyce Kline)
There are plenty of old favourites. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Courtenay couple brings back miniature Christmas village

“It’s just good to put some smiles on people’s faces.”

There are plenty of old favourites. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Boats adorned with Christmas lights cruise Willows Beach during a past Sea of Lights sailing. (Black Press Media file photo)

Royal Victoria Yacht Club powers up popular nautical holiday parade

Sea of Lights sets sail on Dec. 3 along Oak Bay, Saanich shorelines

Boats adorned with Christmas lights cruise Willows Beach during a past Sea of Lights sailing. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke’s resident Santa will be returning this year. He will be outside the A&W in front of the Evergreen Centre every weekend in December from 1 to 3 p.m., leading up to Chrismas. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Santa returning for outdoor events

He’ll be outside the AW every weekend in December

Sooke’s resident Santa will be returning this year. He will be outside the A&W in front of the Evergreen Centre every weekend in December from 1 to 3 p.m., leading up to Chrismas. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Talking Christmas with Bonnie Brown of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army

Podcast: Fundraising initiatives underway in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
Alan Rudson is fundraising for materials to make wooden toy cars for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Hobby woodworker fundraising to build cars for Great Nanaimo Toy Drive

Christmas charity campaign launches later this week

Alan Rudson is fundraising for materials to make wooden toy cars for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
The 17 Mile Liquor Shoppe's annual toy drive runs through Dec. 20. (File - Metro Creative)

Demand keeps increasing for Sooke toy drive

This is the 12th year 17 Mile Liquor Shoppe has collected donations

The 17 Mile Liquor Shoppe's annual toy drive runs through Dec. 20. (File - Metro Creative)
Jude Somers of Oak Bay won the 2020 People’s Choice Award for her creation The Santa Train, during Habitat for Humanity’s 12th annual Gingerbread Showcase. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

Winners of Victoria’s 12th annual Gingerbread Showcase announced

Habitat for Humanity raises over $35,000 with annual event

  • Jan 17, 2021
Jude Somers of Oak Bay won the 2020 People’s Choice Award for her creation The Santa Train, during Habitat for Humanity’s 12th annual Gingerbread Showcase. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
Every dinner was delivered in a specially designed Christmas bag at the 2020 Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner - COVID-19 edition. Photo by Terry Farrell

Vancouver Island students decorate 600-plus meal bags for community dinner

Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner had to be delivered to people in need this year

Every dinner was delivered in a specially designed Christmas bag at the 2020 Earl Naswell Community Christmas Dinner - COVID-19 edition. Photo by Terry Farrell
Christmas light stands that have seen better days can be recycled at numerous depots and retail locations across Greater Victoria. (Pixabay)

Christmas lights accepted at various depots, recycling programs across Greater Victoria

Cards, wrapping paper without glitter and metallic paint can go in recycling bins

Christmas light stands that have seen better days can be recycled at numerous depots and retail locations across Greater Victoria. (Pixabay)
Some Canadians regret their holiday spending, according to a survey by Equifax. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
Some Canadians regret their holiday spending, according to a survey by Equifax. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
(Depositphotos.com)

Give your Christmas tree back to the wild by leaving it outside: nature conservancy

The trees can be a great benefit to local wildlife

  • Dec 29, 2020
(Depositphotos.com)
Why is Samuel Douglas smiling so much? You would, too, if you just had a visit with Santa. (Photo submitted)

Memorable visit with Santa for Island boy with Down Syndrome

Face lights up to make Christmas wishes come true

Why is Samuel Douglas smiling so much? You would, too, if you just had a visit with Santa. (Photo submitted)