Christmas holiday

Heidi-Louise Chadwick and her two-year-old son waited in the Calgary airport for hours before their flight was cancelled, prompting her husband to drive 14 hours to save them. (Courtesy of Heidi-Louise Chadwick)

Victoria mom stranded in Calgary with toddler and no luggage finds Christmas miracle

Despite all the difficulties and numerous obstacles Heidi-Louise Chadwick made it home for Christmas

 

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

 

Eric LAST NAME, the manager stands by the fire place in a cosy corner of the restaurant. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

More Victoria restaurants staying open for Christmas as diners seek options

Steamship Bar and Grill will offer a holiday menu that features turkey, ham and prime rib: oh my!

 

The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker receives daily reports of people purchasing items that they never receive. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Greater Victoria shoppers warned about devious holiday scams

The BBB says shoppers should avoid buying items from retailers they don’t know

The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker receives daily reports of people purchasing items that they never receive. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)

Christmas comes early for determined Saanich Peninsula cyclist

Cycling Santas gift eight-year-old with new bike

The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. File photo

Brawl breaks out at company Christmas party in Princeton

Police were called to a private function at the Legion

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. File photo
The Sangster Elementary School choir performs Wednesday (Dec. 8) night during the annual Colwood Christmas Light Up held outside city hall. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Colwood lights up for the holidays with help from community

Hundreds filled the grounds of Colwood City Hall Wednesday night for the annual Christmas Light Up

The Sangster Elementary School choir performs Wednesday (Dec. 8) night during the annual Colwood Christmas Light Up held outside city hall. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
This photo shows Charles Graves dressed as Santa Claus in Austin, Texas on on Sept. 3, 2022. Graves is a rare Deaf Santa in his first year donning the red suit as a professional. (Michael J. Samaripa via AP)

Santa’s back in town with inflation, inclusion on his mind

Santa booker HireSanta.com has logged a 30% increase in demand this year

This photo shows Charles Graves dressed as Santa Claus in Austin, Texas on on Sept. 3, 2022. Graves is a rare Deaf Santa in his first year donning the red suit as a professional. (Michael J. Samaripa via AP)
This home in the 1700-block of Sansum Park Drive in North Saanich was a popular destination for fans of Christmas lights last holiday season. The season’s top decorated homes are eligible to win prizes through the Thrifty Foods Light up the City event. (Black Press Media file photo)

Contest helps light up the holiday season in Greater Victoria

Thrifty Foods Light up the City event offers prizes for the best Christmas decorations

This home in the 1700-block of Sansum Park Drive in North Saanich was a popular destination for fans of Christmas lights last holiday season. The season’s top decorated homes are eligible to win prizes through the Thrifty Foods Light up the City event. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat on June 19, 2016. (Sue Simpson/Facebook photo)

Kamloops attack victim eagerly awaiting annual Christmas cards

Cards have come from as far as England to wish Jessie a Merry Christmas

Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat on June 19, 2016. (Sue Simpson/Facebook photo)
People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa on Dec. 24, 2020. A new report from Deloitte Canada says holiday spending in Canada is expected to drop this year as inflation shrinks consumer buying power and economic uncertainty looms over household finances. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

VIDEO: Holiday spending expected to slump amid inflation

Canadian households forecast to spend an average of $1,520 this year

People pass a large Christmas tree as they go shopping on Christmas Eve at a mall in Ottawa on Dec. 24, 2020. A new report from Deloitte Canada says holiday spending in Canada is expected to drop this year as inflation shrinks consumer buying power and economic uncertainty looms over household finances. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
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)
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)
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

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

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