Christmas

An RCMP officer came to the rescue of two children stranded at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Christmas Eve. (Black Press file photo)

Constable Claus saves Christmas for kids stranded at Kelowna Airport

The 12 and 13-year-olds were trying to make it home to Victoria for Christmas from Alberta

 

Brendon Moore celebrates after winning his race during the final race night at the Westshore Motorsports Park Saturday, Sept. 17, as the track shuts down permanently. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

The Goldstream Gazette’s most-read stories from 2022

In 2022, helping hands flew meds and pizza to sexy town while cars circuited tracks & secret campsites

 

A flight departure board at Abbotsford International Airport illustrating the the cancellations and delays that were common through the holidays across Canada. (Jane Bouey/Twitter)

Frustrated travellers turned to Twitter when winter storm slammed Abbotsford airport

Missing luggage, no staff and cancelled flights made travel less than merry this Christmas

 

(Black Press Media Creative)

Christmas tree recycling is a good alternative to landfills

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Victoria International Airport air traffic control unit operations specialist Jason Grist watches over the runway on Thursday, Dec. 15. For those who work inside the control tower, Christmas is just another day at the office. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

YYJ’s holiday heroes work around the clock to keep planes safe

Christmas is just another day at the office for the folks at Victoria International Airport

Victoria International Airport air traffic control unit operations specialist Jason Grist watches over the runway on Thursday, Dec. 15. For those who work inside the control tower, Christmas is just another day at the office. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Santa Claus can be seen in many places at this time of year. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Christmas traditions?

There are plenty of celebrations and customs on Dec. 25.

Santa Claus can be seen in many places at this time of year. (Pixabay.com)
(Black Press Media Elves)

NORAD Tracks Santa live: Follow St. Nick as he delivers presents around the world this Christmas Eve

Rest assured, kids of all ages: Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve. That’s…

(Black Press Media Elves)
Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)

West Shore families putting new spins on old Christmas traditions

Welcome to the magic of monkeybread

Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)
Johanna deJong of Abbotsford has been collecting Christmas village items for more than 40 years. (Submitted image)

Abbotsford woman continues to raise funds for Alzheimer Society with Christmas village

‘Sparkyville’ includes countless figurines and has been in the works for more than 40 years

Johanna deJong of Abbotsford has been collecting Christmas village items for more than 40 years. (Submitted image)
Grade 1 and 2 students at Sunnyside Elementary school in South Surrey penned letters to Santa and shared them with the Peace Arch News. The young students asked the Jolly Old Elf a wide range of questions, including his preferences in cookies and whether they would find themselves on the naughty list this year. (Brenda Anderson photo)

Dear Santa – Grade 1 and 2 students in B.C. have a long list of questions for the Jolly Old Elf

Sunnyside Elementary students in South Surrey share their letters to Santa

  • Dec 24, 2022
Grade 1 and 2 students at Sunnyside Elementary school in South Surrey penned letters to Santa and shared them with the Peace Arch News. The young students asked the Jolly Old Elf a wide range of questions, including his preferences in cookies and whether they would find themselves on the naughty list this year. (Brenda Anderson photo)
The SOS Toy Shop welcomes parents, caregivers, grandparents and great-grandparents who need help getting gifts for their young family members. The gifts are donated by the community. (Submitted photo)

Island woman deals with challenges of facing Christmas at age 86 with one income

Access to SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program provides relief

The SOS Toy Shop welcomes parents, caregivers, grandparents and great-grandparents who need help getting gifts for their young family members. The gifts are donated by the community. (Submitted photo)
The Happy Christmas Tree Co. selling trees off the Luxton Fairgrounds just didn’t see the shopping traffic this year and now has 300 trees left when they should be sold out. (Happy Christmas Tree Co./Facebook)

‘Heartbreaking’: 300 fresh-cut B.C. Christmas trees need homes for the holidays

Sales down 37 per cent for West Shore family business

The Happy Christmas Tree Co. selling trees off the Luxton Fairgrounds just didn’t see the shopping traffic this year and now has 300 trees left when they should be sold out. (Happy Christmas Tree Co./Facebook)
Road closed

B.C’s Coquihalla closed between Hope and Merritt

Crash has major route shut down overnight

Road closed
Members of the Peninsula Players, seen here at rehearsals, will perform Alice in Pantoland at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre starting Dec. 23 through Dec. 30, with the cast taking a rest on Dec. 25 and Dec. 28. (Peninsula Players/Submitted)

Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre hosts seasonal take on Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Pantoland recognizes tradition of Pantomime at Christmas time

Members of the Peninsula Players, seen here at rehearsals, will perform Alice in Pantoland at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre starting Dec. 23 through Dec. 30, with the cast taking a rest on Dec. 25 and Dec. 28. (Peninsula Players/Submitted)
Residents of Berwick House and Berwick Royal Oak are celebrating the season with crafts, gala dinners and the warmth of friends, family and staff. Courtesy Berwick Retirement Communities

‘Truly magical.’ New residents describe their first Christmas at Berwick

Events, uplifting atmosphere and welcoming community are making spirits bright

  • Dec 19, 2022
Residents of Berwick House and Berwick Royal Oak are celebrating the season with crafts, gala dinners and the warmth of friends, family and staff. Courtesy Berwick Retirement Communities
Tyson Elder, operations manager of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, accepts one of the first boxes of donated food collected by Sidney Volunteer Fire Department from deputy chief Mike Harman Monday morning. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Records broken by Peninsula Firefighters Food Drive

Sidney breaks cash donation goal, while North Saanich increases food collection by 50 per cent

Tyson Elder, operations manager of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, accepts one of the first boxes of donated food collected by Sidney Volunteer Fire Department from deputy chief Mike Harman Monday morning. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.

COLUMN: The magic of Christmas isn’t so unbelievable, is it?

A deep adoration of Santa Claus and everything he represents has led to a life of loving Christmas

Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.
Michael Preston will listen to the same song for 14 hours to help raise money for the World Food Programme on Dec. 21. (Brentwood School of Music/Submitted)

Central Saanich teacher to listen to same song for 14 hours to raise money

Michael Preston of Brentwood School of Music sacrificing to help end global hunger

Michael Preston will listen to the same song for 14 hours to help raise money for the World Food Programme on Dec. 21. (Brentwood School of Music/Submitted)
Kindergartener Lucille McKenzie and her Grade 7 buddy Eliza Gedischk build tiny bundles of candy with a warm message during the years-old tradition of Christmas Cracker Day at St. Patrick’s School. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Kids craft Christmas crackers for those facing homelessness in Greater Victoria

Students start by donating Halloween candy in November

Kindergartener Lucille McKenzie and her Grade 7 buddy Eliza Gedischk build tiny bundles of candy with a warm message during the years-old tradition of Christmas Cracker Day at St. Patrick’s School. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Zero Waste Sooke hosts a demonstration on Furoshiki – the ancient Japanese art of cloth gift wrapping – at the Sooke library on Sunday (Dec. 18) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (Shutterstock.com)

You can wrap Christmas gifts more cheaply and with less waste

Zero Waste Sooke hosts demonstration on Sunday

  • Dec 12, 2022
Zero Waste Sooke hosts a demonstration on Furoshiki – the ancient Japanese art of cloth gift wrapping – at the Sooke library on Sunday (Dec. 18) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (Shutterstock.com)
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