Christmas

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VIDEO: 5 tips for wrapping your Christmas presents

Here’s a few tips

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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)
In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va. The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a “great conjunction” on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

Jupiter and Saturn align in our skies tonight, to form the Great Conjunction

Stargazers typically gather in groups at observatories or with backyard telescopes for such events

  • Dec 21, 2020
In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va. The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a “great conjunction” on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)
Jaclyn Mountain says her mother, Cindy Mountain, seen in an undated handout photo, would be thrilled to see her Port Coquitlam, B.C., home decked out in Christmas lights for the first time in15 years. Cindy Mountain, of ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C., died of COVID-19 in April at age 59. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Mountain Family, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

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Jaclyn Mountain says her mother, Cindy Mountain, seen in an undated handout photo, would be thrilled to see her Port Coquitlam, B.C., home decked out in Christmas lights for the first time in15 years. Cindy Mountain, of ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C., died of COVID-19 in April at age 59. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-The Mountain Family, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
After Alanna Wadhwani, seen here with son Nathan, was deluged with orders for her ‘dog poo’ 2020 Christmas ornament, she set up what she described as a factory in her West Maple Maple Ridge home (Special to The News)

VIDEO: Dog ornament that takes a ‘poopy’ view of 2020 a hit for B.C. crafter

Demand for the dog-themed tree decoration ‘blew up’

After Alanna Wadhwani, seen here with son Nathan, was deluged with orders for her ‘dog poo’ 2020 Christmas ornament, she set up what she described as a factory in her West Maple Maple Ridge home (Special to The News)
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)
Parksville’s Christiana Conway, left, husband Chris Conway, right, and friend Elizabeth Doell write letters designed to bring Christmas cheer to senior residents at area care homes. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island woman helps create special messages of Christmas cheer for seniors

Hand-written letters designed to help lonely residents during holiday season

Parksville’s Christiana Conway, left, husband Chris Conway, right, and friend Elizabeth Doell write letters designed to bring Christmas cheer to senior residents at area care homes. (Submitted photo)
Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count, in which birders spot as many bird species within a single day, is set for Saturday, Dec. 19. The area extends from south of Island View Beach Road in Central Saanich to Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. (Ann Nightingale photo)

Greater Victoria birders tasked with specific areas for annual count

Christmas Bird Count takes place in Greater Victoria on Dec. 19

Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count, in which birders spot as many bird species within a single day, is set for Saturday, Dec. 19. The area extends from south of Island View Beach Road in Central Saanich to Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. (Ann Nightingale photo)
Todd and Nicole Cameron dressed son Jack up as 12 characters from various holiday movies, including Bruce Willis’s character from <em>Die Hard</em>. (Nicole Cameron photo)

12 days of Christmas movies: Nanaimo toddler stars in holiday classic photo shoots

Family shares photos of son dressed as characters from Die Hard, Elf and more

Todd and Nicole Cameron dressed son Jack up as 12 characters from various holiday movies, including Bruce Willis’s character from <em>Die Hard</em>. (Nicole Cameron photo)
The Town of View Royal is looking for the best Christmas light displays until Dec. 23. Then, five winners will receive a prize from a local chocolate shop. (Black Press Media file photo)

View Royal offers prize for best Christmas light displays

Nominate a home, business or yourself until Dec. 23

The Town of View Royal is looking for the best Christmas light displays until Dec. 23. Then, five winners will receive a prize from a local chocolate shop. (Black Press Media file photo)
New Westminster resident is looking to sell hand-made ornaments for the holiday season

B.C. woman creates unique baked bean holiday ornament

Buy local this holiday season - with a baked bean ornament

New Westminster resident is looking to sell hand-made ornaments for the holiday season
Sangster Elementary Grade 4 students Ryker de Ruiter (right), Temperance Walker, Lyla Wiltse and Ella Baxter-Mohrmann show the artwork that their class created to spread positivity in Colwood. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Colwood elementary students pin artwork to school fence to spread positivity

Artwork free to take for passersby at Sangster Elementary

Sangster Elementary Grade 4 students Ryker de Ruiter (right), Temperance Walker, Lyla Wiltse and Ella Baxter-Mohrmann show the artwork that their class created to spread positivity in Colwood. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Cathy Gouk, at Cathy’s Corner Cafe, expects to hand out 400 free Christmas dinners this week. The meals are available at her Sooke restaurant for takeout only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke restaurant handing out free Christmas meals this week

Cathy’s Corner Cafe offers turkey dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16

Cathy Gouk, at Cathy’s Corner Cafe, expects to hand out 400 free Christmas dinners this week. The meals are available at her Sooke restaurant for takeout only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)
West Shore RCMP are reminding residents to stay on the lookout after a woman nearly got away with stealing numerous Christmas presents in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore RCMP officer returns stolen Christmas presents to Langford residents

Gifts included handmade children’s dolls and personal crafts

West Shore RCMP are reminding residents to stay on the lookout after a woman nearly got away with stealing numerous Christmas presents in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Christmas tree that mysteriously appeared on Lagoon Road in Colwood is gathering a host of decorations, memories and messages. Many of the ornaments have names on them, and there’s a plaque that pays tribute to the province’s chief medical officer and includes her message to all of ‘be kind, be calm, and be safe.’ (Joan Stiebel/Black Press Media)

Mysterious memory tree pops up in Colwood

Tree gathering ornaments, messages, mementos

A Christmas tree that mysteriously appeared on Lagoon Road in Colwood is gathering a host of decorations, memories and messages. Many of the ornaments have names on them, and there’s a plaque that pays tribute to the province’s chief medical officer and includes her message to all of ‘be kind, be calm, and be safe.’ (Joan Stiebel/Black Press Media)
The annual Turkey Run organized by CFB Esquimalt Diving Unit Pacific to help the less fortunate will be virtual this year due to COVID-10 restrictions. (Photo contributed by CFB Esquimalt Diving Unit Pacific)

Turkey Run Virtual 5K set to fly

Fundraiser supports Goldstream Food Bank

The annual Turkey Run organized by CFB Esquimalt Diving Unit Pacific to help the less fortunate will be virtual this year due to COVID-10 restrictions. (Photo contributed by CFB Esquimalt Diving Unit Pacific)
The Victoria Police Department is warning people not to leave presents in their cars this holiday season. (Victoria Police Department/Screenshot)

Grinches are prowling for presents this year, Victoria police warn

VicPD reminds people to remove valuables and lock car doors

The Victoria Police Department is warning people not to leave presents in their cars this holiday season. (Victoria Police Department/Screenshot)
Colwood’s Herm Williams Park features a brilliant display of lights for nearby residents to enjoy the entire month. (Melanie MacAuley photo)

Colwood sparkles with Christmas lights for second year

Lights on display until end of the year

Colwood’s Herm Williams Park features a brilliant display of lights for nearby residents to enjoy the entire month. (Melanie MacAuley photo)
Sooke resident Kimberly Elkas has started creating wreaths made from fallen branches, twigs, and leaves she finds along Sooke’s waterfront and forest trails. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Sooke woman launches wreath-making side hustle amid shuttered business

“I’m now waking up with purpose,” says owner of Fresh Foraged Wreaths Sooke

Sooke resident Kimberly Elkas has started creating wreaths made from fallen branches, twigs, and leaves she finds along Sooke’s waterfront and forest trails. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Jackie Kightly’s Sooke home is in the spirit. Located at 7020 West Coast Road, Kightly’s display includes a garage door snowman, hanging “icicles” and candy light-filled shrubs. (Courtesy of Jackie Kightly)

PHOTOS: Greater Victoria homes illuminated with holiday cheer

Residents send in pictures of Christmas light displays

Jackie Kightly’s Sooke home is in the spirit. Located at 7020 West Coast Road, Kightly’s display includes a garage door snowman, hanging “icicles” and candy light-filled shrubs. (Courtesy of Jackie Kightly)