Holidays

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How to wade through drama and taste some togetherness this holiday season

Experts offer tips on how to make yours a holly, jolly Christmas with the family

 

Gifts wrapped and ready on Christmas morning. (Philip Wolf photo)

WOLF: Ditch the traditional wrapping paper and go with gift bags

COLUMN: What’s the best way to wrap your holiday presents?

 

3,200 people registered to visit during the first weekend of the Martini Town Merry & Bright Christmas event that has transformed the studio’s Aldergrove backlot into a winter wonderland. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: With movie magic, B.C. backlot transforms into Christmas wonderland

Martini Town Merry and Bright event will be open Wednesdays to Sundays until Jan. 1

 

Online shopping has become more common in recent years. (Shutterstock)

QUIZ: Are you ready for the holiday shopping rush

Black Friday, on Nov. 24, is a busy day for retail shopping

Online shopping has become more common in recent years. (Shutterstock)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP offered tips for protecting delivered gifts this holiday season Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (RCMP photo)

RCMP offer advice for keeping gifts safe this holiday season

With online shopping and deliveries set to ramp up, so too is the risk of thieves stealing from doorsteps

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP offered tips for protecting delivered gifts this holiday season Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (RCMP photo)
Oscar and Libby store owner Teri Hustins reports that the store makes a quarter of of their annual income during the 24 days of the holiday season. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

‘Pinched’ Victoria shoppers using credit cards less amid Christmas season

78% of Canadians plan to cut back on holiday spending, according to survey

Oscar and Libby store owner Teri Hustins reports that the store makes a quarter of of their annual income during the 24 days of the holiday season. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to complete your holiday traditions or something to put under the tree for someone special, you’ll likely find it at a craft fair in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Craft Fair Roundup: Get a jump on the holidays at a Greater Victoria event

Support local businesses while finding something for everyone on your list

Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to complete your holiday traditions or something to put under the tree for someone special, you’ll likely find it at a craft fair in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)

Salmon Arm youth’s record-breaking achievements inspire holiday movie

Auldin Maxwell given cameo in A World Record Christmas

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)
The Highlands Winter Craft Fair, pictured in this file photo, returns again on Sunday, Nov. 18. The event takes over two locations – the Highlands Community Hall and the Caleb Pike Heritage Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Craft Fair Roundup: Find the perfect gift at a Greater Victoria event

Support local businesses while finding something for everyone on your list

The Highlands Winter Craft Fair, pictured in this file photo, returns again on Sunday, Nov. 18. The event takes over two locations – the Highlands Community Hall and the Caleb Pike Heritage Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
A cart is filled with pre-filled bags of food, during a Thanksgiving food drive for the Ottawa Food Bank at a grocery store in Ottawa, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

‘Most challenging Thanksgiving:’ Holiday marked with soaring food bank use

Greater Vancouver Food Bank supporting 16,000 to 17,000 people a month, says COO

A cart is filled with pre-filled bags of food, during a Thanksgiving food drive for the Ottawa Food Bank at a grocery store in Ottawa, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Billy Boerboom of Summerland shows a huge pumpkin he grew. Pumpkin pie is often a staple in traditional Thanksgiving meals. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: Are you ready to celebrate Thanksgiving?

How much do you know about the customs and traditions surrounding this holiday in Canada?

Billy Boerboom of Summerland shows a huge pumpkin he grew. Pumpkin pie is often a staple in traditional Thanksgiving meals. (Black Press file photo)
The B.C. Legislature in Victoria was designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Which city was British Columbia’s capital before Victoria was selected? (Don Denton photograph)

QUIZ: How well do you know British Columbia?

There is a lot to celebrate about this province during the B.C. Day long weekend

The B.C. Legislature in Victoria was designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Which city was British Columbia’s capital before Victoria was selected? (Don Denton photograph)
FILE - The view of Mount Rushmore located just a few miles away from Under Canvas Mount Rushmore tent cabins near Keystone, S.D. More than 10.5 million North American households took a glamping trip in 2022, up from 9.6 million in 2021. (Jim Holland/Rapid City Journal via AP, File)

More travelers get cozy with glamping, even amid high costs

As camping demand fades, people looking to its less-rustic cousin

FILE - The view of Mount Rushmore located just a few miles away from Under Canvas Mount Rushmore tent cabins near Keystone, S.D. More than 10.5 million North American households took a glamping trip in 2022, up from 9.6 million in 2021. (Jim Holland/Rapid City Journal via AP, File)
Supermodels Candice Swanepoel, left, and Doutzen Kroes, help open the first Victoria’s Secret store in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 5, 2011. When was Victoria’s Secret created? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Queen Victoria?

The Victoria Day long weekend is named after a legendary British monarch

Supermodels Candice Swanepoel, left, and Doutzen Kroes, help open the first Victoria’s Secret store in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 5, 2011. When was Victoria’s Secret created? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
If lack of money is putting a crimp on your summer plans, NerdWallet suggests some things to consider. (Mirror File photo)

How to have a fun summer when your finances fall short

Mindset makes a difference in accepting when the funds don’t match the ambition

If lack of money is putting a crimp on your summer plans, NerdWallet suggests some things to consider. (Mirror File photo)
Children hunt for Easter eggs during the 2019 Easter Egg-stravaganza in Summerland. Egg hunts and other celebrations are part of the festivities during the Easter weekend. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Easter traditions?

The weekend includes the Easter bunny, decorated eggs, chocolate and a religious observance

Children hunt for Easter eggs during the 2019 Easter Egg-stravaganza in Summerland. Egg hunts and other celebrations are part of the festivities during the Easter weekend. (Black Press file photo)
Blackwell Dairy Farm in Kamloops is selling chocolate egg nog for Easter. (Blackwell Dairy Farm/Facebook)

Egg nog for Easter? Kamloops dairy farm releases new chocolate nog ahead of holiday weekend

Blackwell Dairy Farm’s chocolate egg nog is available at stores in Vernon and Kelowna

  • Apr 5, 2023
Blackwell Dairy Farm in Kamloops is selling chocolate egg nog for Easter. (Blackwell Dairy Farm/Facebook)
Black Press Media File

St. Patrick’s Day rites: Parades, bagpipes, clinking pints

Oh, Danny boy, ‘tis the time of year when Irish bagpipes are…

Black Press Media File
Kids go tobogganing at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa on Family Day, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

What’s closed as 8 provinces celebrate regional holidays today

Most banks, provincial services closed Monday

Kids go tobogganing at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa on Family Day, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Wiarton Willie sits in his cage in Wiarton, Ont., on Friday, Feb.2, 2018. Famed and furry forecasters of spring are set to make their predictions this morning. It's Groundhog Day, and as folklore goes, a groundhog will emerge from its burrow and if it does not see its shadow, then spring is just around the corner, while if it does and retreats, then we can expect six more weeks of winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah Yoon

Groundhog Day: Fred is dead in Quebec, Willie and Sam at odds over spring’s arrival

Tragedy and discord reigns in the world of rodent winter weather forecasting

Wiarton Willie sits in his cage in Wiarton, Ont., on Friday, Feb.2, 2018. Famed and furry forecasters of spring are set to make their predictions this morning. It's Groundhog Day, and as folklore goes, a groundhog will emerge from its burrow and if it does not see its shadow, then spring is just around the corner, while if it does and retreats, then we can expect six more weeks of winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah Yoon