Christmas

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

 

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

 

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

 

Some Canadians regret their holiday spending, according to a survey by Equifax. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

19% of Canadians regret holiday spending when credit card bill arrives: survey

Equifax surveyed more than 1,000 Canadians

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)
Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)

Christmas miracle leads to a gingerbread legacy

Cowichan’s Kim Barnard celebrates Sweet 16 this year for her seasonal business

Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)
Colwood’s Nevaeh Bowman, 10, rewrote the lyrics to Jingle Bells to fit what she calls the theme song of 2020. (Chantelle Bowman photo)

VIDEO: Colwood girl rewrites Christmas classic into ‘theme song of 2020’

Songwriter hopes for microphone or MP3 player for Christmas

Colwood’s Nevaeh Bowman, 10, rewrote the lyrics to Jingle Bells to fit what she calls the theme song of 2020. (Chantelle Bowman photo)
Christmas lights are something that people can do to celebrate the season that are not impacted by COVID-19. (File - Black Press Media)

EDITORIAL: Christmas’s generous spirit unites us all

Holiday season will be different this year and we’ll have to adjust our plans

  • Dec 25, 2020
Christmas lights are something that people can do to celebrate the season that are not impacted by COVID-19. (File - Black Press Media)
(The Canadian Press)

VIDEO: Treats children leave for Santa around the world

It varies country to country

(The Canadian Press)
Even Santa needs a mask these days. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Campbell River musician pens a song he hopes won’t live forever

Rick Benn saw Christmas creeping up and knew he had to say something….

Even Santa needs a mask these days. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Provincial health officials have asked British Columbians not to gather with anyone outside their household or look for loopholes in health orders. (Stock photo)

Editorial: Respect the rest of us, heed holiday restrictions

So many are sacrificing tradition for the greater good

Provincial health officials have asked British Columbians not to gather with anyone outside their household or look for loopholes in health orders. (Stock photo)
(Pixabay, illustration)

Where’s Santa? NORAD is tracking the jolly old man around the globe this Christmas

As with all things, the Santa tracker will look a little different this year

(Pixabay, illustration)
The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Code Name: Big Red – B.C. soldier with NORAD helps Santa get around the globe safely

The annual NORAD Tracks Santa program features a soldier who grew up in Langley

The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
Pedestrians stop to check out the infamous Tuxedo Drive Christmas display which has returned for an encore to bring joy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Iconic Island ‘Christmas House’ returns with encore display amid pandemic

Christmas display on Tuxedo Drive in Saanich revived, lit up nightly from 5-11 p.m. until Jan. 1

Pedestrians stop to check out the infamous Tuxedo Drive Christmas display which has returned for an encore to bring joy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)

VIDEO: Santa Claus cleared for arrival in Canada

The jolly old fellow is an essential worker

Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)
To thank the community for supporting them through a difficult year, the Canadian College of Performing Arts released a holiday music video Dec. 17. (Screenshot)

Victoria performing arts college releases holiday music video

Canadian College of Performing Arts takes theatre online amid pandemic

To thank the community for supporting them through a difficult year, the Canadian College of Performing Arts released a holiday music video Dec. 17. (Screenshot)
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)

Nothing stops Santa from bringing joy to sick children – even with pandemic protocols

Santa sent gifts to Victoria General, Surrey Memorial, Royal Columbian and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

  • Dec 22, 2020
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)
(Pxhere.com)

VIDEO: 5 tips for wrapping your Christmas presents

Here’s a few tips

(Pxhere.com)
In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, a man dressed as Santa Claus who was flying on a powered parachute on his way to deliver candy canes to children is seen stuck on power lines in Rio Linda, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The man was rescued uninjured. The incident happened shortly after the man took off near a school in Rio Linda and then hit and became suspended in power lines, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman told KCRA-TV. (California Highway Patrol via AP)

Man dressed as Santa rescued from power lines in California

Video from the rescue shows the aircraft dangling overhead as Santa sat fastened to the pilot seat

In this photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, a man dressed as Santa Claus who was flying on a powered parachute on his way to deliver candy canes to children is seen stuck on power lines in Rio Linda, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The man was rescued uninjured. The incident happened shortly after the man took off near a school in Rio Linda and then hit and became suspended in power lines, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman told KCRA-TV. (California Highway Patrol via AP)