Christmas

Jude Somers 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

More than $35,000 raised between Nov. 21 and Jan. 3

  • Jan 9, 2021

 

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

 

The Salmond family’s Christmas House at 4091 Tuxedo Dr. has drawn thousands as Saanich residents hunt for pandemic-friendly festivities. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich Christmas House draws thousands per night as residents seek pandemic-friendly festivities

Display lit up 5-11 p.m. until at least New Year’s Day

The Salmond family’s Christmas House at 4091 Tuxedo Dr. has drawn thousands as Saanich residents hunt for pandemic-friendly festivities. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Left to right) Brennan Chow and Christan Cavanaugh from Tutela Technologies present the tech company’s donation to Abbeyfield House residents Connie Parman and Edna Dickinson. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Victoria tech company makes $2,000 Christmas donation to Saanich seniors’ home

Abbeyfield House residents benefit from smart TV, wireless headphones and more

(Left to right) Brennan Chow and Christan Cavanaugh from Tutela Technologies present the tech company’s donation to Abbeyfield House residents Connie Parman and Edna Dickinson. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(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)
Emily Rose and her family FaceTimed to stay in touch this Christmas. COVID-19 restrictions limit non-essential travel and gatherings outside the household, leaving many to see family only through screens this Christmas. (Courtesy of Emily Rose)

PHOTOS: Felines and FaceTimes: Greater Victoria residents share pictures of this year’s Christmas ‘buddies’

COVID-19 limited gatherings this holiday season, but many still shared the holidays

Emily Rose and her family FaceTimed to stay in touch this Christmas. COVID-19 restrictions limit non-essential travel and gatherings outside the household, leaving many to see family only through screens this Christmas. (Courtesy of Emily Rose)
Victoria music duo Kristina Helene and husband Thomas Kinzel released their first Christmas single on Dec. 3 called Somehow. (Courtesy of Kristina Helene)

Victoria artists dedicate new single to those missed this Christmas

Somehow was written by husband-wife duo Kristina Helene and Thomas Kinzel

Victoria music duo Kristina Helene and husband Thomas Kinzel released their first Christmas single on Dec. 3 called Somehow. (Courtesy of Kristina Helene)
Victoria’s legislative building lit up and captured through a crystal ball. (Cindy Borbridge photo)

PHOTOS: Homes go all-out to brighten Greater Victoria this Christmas

Light displays across the region continue to warm hearts

  • Dec 24, 2020
Victoria’s legislative building lit up and captured through a crystal ball. (Cindy Borbridge photo)
(The Canadian Press)

VIDEO: Treats children leave for Santa around the world

It varies country to country

(The Canadian Press)
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 for Cowichan’s Kim Barnard

Seasonal business celebrates Sweet 16 this year

Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes (left) with his siblings Shirley Feld, Clifford Haynes, Matthew Haynes and Denise Baker – his twin sister – during a Christmas family reunion in Wales. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)

Saanich mayor reminisces on Christmases past with family in Wales

Holiday season to be spent at home amid COVID-19 pandemic

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes (left) with his siblings Shirley Feld, Clifford Haynes, Matthew Haynes and Denise Baker – his twin sister – during a Christmas family reunion in Wales. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)
Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.

Do you remember Sparkle the Christmas Light?

Creator of popular 80s/90s light discusses item’s origin, wants to see it revived

Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.
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)
(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)
Pulcherie Mboussi, executive director of Issamba Centre, holds one of 100 Christmas hampers going out to families. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

‘Small but mighty team’ provides Christmas hampers to Greater Victoria’s African-Caribbean community

Without volunteers, Issamba Centre hustles to provide emergency hampers

Pulcherie Mboussi, executive director of Issamba Centre, holds one of 100 Christmas hampers going out to families. (Nina Grossman/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)
Neil Salmond and his wife Michelle decided to bring back their infamous Tuxedo Drive Christmas display for one more year to bring joy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Famous Saanich ‘Christmas House’ returns with encore display amid pandemic

Tuxedo Drive Christmas display lit up nightly from 5-11 p.m. until Jan. 1

Neil Salmond and his wife Michelle decided to bring back their infamous Tuxedo Drive Christmas display for one more year to bring joy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
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)