Christmas holiday

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

 

Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino restaurant serves over 1,300 free takeway turkey dinners in one night

Lil Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ keeps community Christmas tradition alive

 

Morgan Watson, owner of Bartholomew’s Public House, behind a bar decked out with Christmas lights. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Local pubs share pleasure, purpose of Christmas serving tradition

Two local pubs share their reasons for keeping the doors open on Dec. 25

 

With more people planning to visit this holiday season, BC Hydro advises being mindful about energy consumption. Pictured here, Christmas lights on Fraser Highway in Langley City. (Black Press file)

With more people planning Christmas gatherings, mind energy use, says BC Hydro

COVID-19 health order saw a drop in energy usage Christmas evening in 2020, Hydro says

With more people planning to visit this holiday season, BC Hydro advises being mindful about energy consumption. Pictured here, Christmas lights on Fraser Highway in Langley City. (Black Press file)
The Patch owner Christopher Shurety (right) and colleague Morgan (left) display some of their favourites of this year’s “ugly” Christmas sweater collection. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria shop sources answers to the ugly holiday sweater dilemma

Despite pandemic challenges, The Patch on Yates continues its annual tradition

The Patch owner Christopher Shurety (right) and colleague Morgan (left) display some of their favourites of this year’s “ugly” Christmas sweater collection. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
According to a Research Co. survey, 36 per cent of B.C. residents are willing to fly to another province, or territory, this holiday season. (Black Press file)

Are you planning to travel this holiday season? 56% of British Columbians say no

800 B.C. adults surveyed in Research Co. survey

According to a Research Co. survey, 36 per cent of B.C. residents are willing to fly to another province, or territory, this holiday season. (Black Press file)
The 2021 Gingerbread Showcase will be on display from Nov. 20 to Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s 2021 Gingerbread Showcase set to launch

‘The Future of Home’ creations to be on display Nov. 20 to Jan. 2

The 2021 Gingerbread Showcase will be on display from Nov. 20 to Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke’s annual Santa Parade returns on Dec. 5, but with pandemic protocols in place. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Traditional Sooke Santa Parade to return, for now, with COVID precautions

Holiday event planned for Dec. 5

Sooke’s annual Santa Parade returns on Dec. 5, but with pandemic protocols in place. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Lights of Wonder display at Centennial Square in 2019. The 2021 show will run from Dec. 16 to the 31. (Black Press Media file photo)

Lights of Wonder returns for a second year in Victoria

The holiday light show hosts free performances thanks to title sponsor Starlight Investments

The Lights of Wonder display at Centennial Square in 2019. The 2021 show will run from Dec. 16 to the 31. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Victoria Police Department is warning people not to leave presents in their cars this holiday season. (Victoria Police Department/Screenshot)

Grinches are prowling for presents this year, Victoria police warn

VicPD reminds people to remove valuables and lock car doors

The Victoria Police Department is warning people not to leave presents in their cars this holiday season. (Victoria Police Department/Screenshot)
Christmas light display, no date. Stock photo

British Columbians urged to prevent fires involving holiday decorations

Office of the Fire Commissioner has reported 113 Christmas-related fires in B.C. in the past decade

Christmas light display, no date. Stock photo
A giant star hoisted onto the back of a Colwood home can be seen from West Shore communities below. (Facebook/Leah Moreau)

Colwood family’s giant star shines down from Triangle Mountain

Roughly nine-metre star can be seen far and wide

A giant star hoisted onto the back of a Colwood home can be seen from West Shore communities below. (Facebook/Leah Moreau)
A holiday lights and music display on Walter Avenue in Saanich aims to lift spirits amid the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Katie Bone)

VIDEO: Huge Christmas display in Saanich neighbourhood aims to raise spirits amid pandemic

Cheer-seekers invited to stop by 326 Walter Avenue for lights, music and Santa Claus

A holiday lights and music display on Walter Avenue in Saanich aims to lift spirits amid the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Katie Bone)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes kicked off the Salvation Army’s 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign outside municipal hall on Dec. 1 with an inaugural contactless donation. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

VIDEO: Tech offers hope as Salvation Army sees need skyrocket across B.C.

Charity is equipping hundreds of kettles across B.C. with ‘touchless giving technology’

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes kicked off the Salvation Army’s 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign outside municipal hall on Dec. 1 with an inaugural contactless donation. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Island Corridor Foundation says this year’s Holiday Train will be even more brightly lighted when it makes stops to collect donations for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (Photo submitted)

Island Corridor Foundation all aboard with Holiday Train supporting toy drive

Charity event supporting Great Nanaimo Toy Drive takes place at two locations Dec. 10

Island Corridor Foundation says this year’s Holiday Train will be even more brightly lighted when it makes stops to collect donations for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive. (Photo submitted)
The Vancouver Island Crisis Society has seen a five per cent rise in call volumes compared to this time last year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Winter blues a concern for Vancouver Islanders during COVID-19 Christmas season

Statistics show British Columbians anticipate worsening mental health

The Vancouver Island Crisis Society has seen a five per cent rise in call volumes compared to this time last year. (Black Press Media file photo)
Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pandemic alters holiday business strategies for Victoria merchants

Many independent merchants count on holiday shopping to get them through quiet periods

Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Time to ramp up COVID-friendly shopping: Better Business Bureau

If businesses want to be successful this holiday season they need to act now, says BBB

The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
It’s common for families to fall back into old patterns when they come together to celebrate Christmas, whether that’s avoiding confrontation or pushing each other’s buttons. (Janet Dahmen/Pixabay)

Plan ahead to avoid family fights at Christmas, says clinical psychologist

Reflect and set boundaries before things get heated

It’s common for families to fall back into old patterns when they come together to celebrate Christmas, whether that’s avoiding confrontation or pushing each other’s buttons. (Janet Dahmen/Pixabay)
The Lights of Wonder display in Centennial Square will run until Jan. 4. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Downtown Victoria welcomes the Lights of Wonder holiday village

The free light display and market is open at Centennial Square until Jan. 4

The Lights of Wonder display in Centennial Square will run until Jan. 4. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)