Christmas

Sooke Christmas Craft Fair and Artisan Market set for Nov. 5-6 and Dec. 10-11 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Christmas craft fairs offer homemade creations

Plenty to choose from as residents seek to fulfil their shopping lists for the holiday season

Sooke Christmas Craft Fair and Artisan Market set for Nov. 5-6 and Dec. 10-11 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Peppermint Patty, Sally, Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy sing and howl together around their Christmas tree at Oak Bay’s Entrance Park, prior to Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy going missing in November 2021. Their co-creator Tim Roberts described the community outcry around their eight-month disappearance as heartwarming and exactly the reaction he and his daughter had hoped for. (Photo by Tim Roberts)

Community outcry for Peanuts characters ‘heartwarming,’ creator says

Missing Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy not a first for Tim and Meghan Roberts

Peppermint Patty, Sally, Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy sing and howl together around their Christmas tree at Oak Bay’s Entrance Park, prior to Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy going missing in November 2021. Their co-creator Tim Roberts described the community outcry around their eight-month disappearance as heartwarming and exactly the reaction he and his daughter had hoped for. (Photo by Tim Roberts)
A community effort brought replacement Christmas cut-outs of Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy, as well as Lucy, back to Entrance Park last December. A resident recently noticed the original Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy cutouts had been returned to the park, notifying municipal staff of the “early Christmas miracle.” (Courtesy of Whitney Davis)

‘Early Christmas miracle’: Missing Peanuts characters returned to Oak Bay home

Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy safe and sound after eight months gone

A community effort brought replacement Christmas cut-outs of Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy, as well as Lucy, back to Entrance Park last December. A resident recently noticed the original Charlie Brown, Sally and Snoopy cutouts had been returned to the park, notifying municipal staff of the “early Christmas miracle.” (Courtesy of Whitney Davis)
Host Michael Bublé is shown on stage at the Juno Awards in Vancouver, Sunday, March, 25, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Michael Bublé sleighs the Canadian music charts as ‘Christmas’ makes history at No. 1

Christmas only album to reach No. 1 in 5 different calendar years on the Billboard Canadian chart

Host Michael Bublé is shown on stage at the Juno Awards in Vancouver, Sunday, March, 25, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Samantha Knight Weston Family Science program manager for Nature Conservancy Canada, says leaving your Christmas tree in your backyard over the winter can provide many benefits for backyard wildlife. (Submitted photo)

Looking to dispose of your Christmas tree? Try tossing it in the backyard

Backyard decomposition makes for great Christmas tree disposal and biodiversity

Samantha Knight Weston Family Science program manager for Nature Conservancy Canada, says leaving your Christmas tree in your backyard over the winter can provide many benefits for backyard wildlife. (Submitted photo)
Guides delivering supplies L to R: Avery Wilkins, Bruno Pelletier, Jodi Brown, Molly Johnsen, and Caitlin Thomson, and not pictured were Sam Grenier and Dave McBride from Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures. (Suzy Coulter photo)

Christmas Day delivery pulled off by Chilliwack River Rafting guides

‘We were touched and humbled by how willing people were to jump in and help us,’ says CRV resident

Guides delivering supplies L to R: Avery Wilkins, Bruno Pelletier, Jodi Brown, Molly Johnsen, and Caitlin Thomson, and not pictured were Sam Grenier and Dave McBride from Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures. (Suzy Coulter photo)
People cross-country ski at Locarno Beach after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dreams of white Christmas come true in Vancouver, while cold grips Prairies

Unusual weather was due to very cold air in the province’s Interior that’s being drawn out to the coast

People cross-country ski at Locarno Beach after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Catherine Border (left) and her children, Frances and Lucas Border, sort through non-perishable food items donated by residents of the surrounding Gonzales community for distribution by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Border)

Victoria siblings experience holiday generosity of neighbours during food drive

Donated non-perishables, cash delivered to St. Vincent de Paul in time for Christmas

Catherine Border (left) and her children, Frances and Lucas Border, sort through non-perishable food items donated by residents of the surrounding Gonzales community for distribution by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. (Photo courtesy of Catherine Border)
In this promotional image provided by ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas, which ABC will air Dec. 6 and Dec. 16 to commemorate the classic animated cartoon’s 40th anniversary. Do you know when this holiday special first aired? (AP Photo/ABC, 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc.,File)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Christmas traditions?

Put your knowledge to the test with these 12 questions

In this promotional image provided by ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas, which ABC will air Dec. 6 and Dec. 16 to commemorate the classic animated cartoon’s 40th anniversary. Do you know when this holiday special first aired? (AP Photo/ABC, 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc.,File)
Oak bay firefighters, like Aiden Wells, left, and Jason Ahokas, working through the holidays is just part of the job description. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Christmas can still deliver tragedy, so Greater Victoria first responders remain on alert

As many are off and celebrating, first responders still face difficult calls during the holidays

Oak bay firefighters, like Aiden Wells, left, and Jason Ahokas, working through the holidays is just part of the job description. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
In 2020, Canadians consumed seven million whole turkeys, according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada. (Special to Black Press Media)

Canadians gobbling up turkey

Cranberries and Christmas trees also rank among top seasonal Canadian exports

In 2020, Canadians consumed seven million whole turkeys, according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada. (Special to Black Press Media)
The Russow family took to creativity this holiday season to raise money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Soren Russow)

Gratitude rocks painted by Victoria family raises money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank

Inspirational quotes encourage a message of love and gratitude in times of adversity

The Russow family took to creativity this holiday season to raise money for Thrifty’s holiday food bank fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of Soren Russow)
Palestinian scout band members parade through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. The biblical town of Bethlehem is gearing up for its second straight Christmas Eve hit by the coronavirus with small crowds and gray, gloomy weather dampening celebrations Friday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world

In Germany, a line wound halfway around Cologne’s massive cathedral — for vaccinations

Palestinian scout band members parade through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during Christmas celebrations, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. The biblical town of Bethlehem is gearing up for its second straight Christmas Eve hit by the coronavirus with small crowds and gray, gloomy weather dampening celebrations Friday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Jim Townley, left, president of Saanichton Village Association, and Martina Redman, association treasurer, present a cheque of over $14,000 to Tyson Elder of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, raised during the business group’s annual fundraiser Dec. 4. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

More than $14,000 raised for Saanich Peninsula food bank with Saanichton fundraiser

17th annual Saanichton Community Christmas nearly doubles 2020 total

Jim Townley, left, president of Saanichton Village Association, and Martina Redman, association treasurer, present a cheque of over $14,000 to Tyson Elder of the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, raised during the business group’s annual fundraiser Dec. 4. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for a photograph in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The prime minister says there is still reason for Canadians to be hopeful despite the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

In Christmas message, Trudeau says Canadians can be hopeful amid the pandemic

‘Keep showing up for one another’ prime minister urges nation’s citizens

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses for a photograph in Ottawa, on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The prime minister says there is still reason for Canadians to be hopeful despite the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
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

Jack Frost and his cast of Christmas characters. (Photo by Don Bodger)
In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown/NORAD via AP)

Yes, there is a Santa Claus. And no, COVID-19 won’t stop him

NORAD will provide real-time updates on Santa’s progress Dec. 24, pandemic or no pandemic

In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown/NORAD via AP)
November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo

Homemade for the Christmas holidays

Do-it-yourself decorating for a greener world

  • Dec 24, 2021
November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo
The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Gift cards rule retail as mall shops work around supply chain issues

Shopping anywhere is a boutique experience right now, says Victoria mall general manager

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? What about eggnog – yay or nay?

On the plus side, more Canadians expecting the holidays to be less stressful than last year

People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck