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

 

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…

 

A Boeing 737 MAX taxis down the runway at Victoria International Airport as it prepares to take off on Thursday, Dec. 15. (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

A Boeing 737 MAX taxis down the runway at Victoria International Airport as it prepares to take off on Thursday, Dec. 15. (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)
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 Island 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
File photo

POLL: Has inflation changed your Christmas shopping habits this year?

Sleigh bells are starting to ring around Tofino and Ucluelet

  • Dec 18, 2022
File photo
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.
Santa arrived by air ambulance with his entourage, elf Sabrina Preziosa, with Helijet, left, and Joanna Stefani, B.C. EHS infant transport team paramedic, to visit sick children at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 13. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)

Santa travels via air ambulance to visit children at 6 B.C. hospitals

Helijet, B.C. Emergency Health Services, and old Saint Nick carry on Christmas tradition

Santa arrived by air ambulance with his entourage, elf Sabrina Preziosa, with Helijet, left, and Joanna Stefani, B.C. EHS infant transport team paramedic, to visit sick children at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 13. (Chris Bush/ News Bulletin)
George Gilbert-Scott smiles as he helps put the finishing touches on his family’s Christmas Tree. (Andrew Bailey photo)

POLL: Have you started decorating your home for the holidays yet?

Lights are starting to sparkle around Tofino and Ucluelet

  • Dec 11, 2022
George Gilbert-Scott smiles as he helps put the finishing touches on his family’s Christmas Tree. (Andrew Bailey photo)
A parcel of land on the Sahtlam Tree Farm is seen, in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The effects of climate change are taking a toll on Christmas tree farms in British Columbia and beyond, and one forestry expert says the sector that’s already shrinking will need to adapt in the coming years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Climate change affecting Christmas trees in B.C. and beyond: expert

Drought, extreme heat making it difficult for seedlings to grow

A parcel of land on the Sahtlam Tree Farm is seen, in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The effects of climate change are taking a toll on Christmas tree farms in British Columbia and beyond, and one forestry expert says the sector that’s already shrinking will need to adapt in the coming years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Terry Campbell’s display of Christmas miniatures takes up the entire dining room of his Chilliwack home. He started the display in 2007 but it has been more challenging for him lately as he’s been legally blind since 2018. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Legally blind B.C. man builds Christmas display that takes up entire dining room

Terry Campbell lost most of eyesight in 2018, but still adds to miniature Christmas village every year

Terry Campbell’s display of Christmas miniatures takes up the entire dining room of his Chilliwack home. He started the display in 2007 but it has been more challenging for him lately as he’s been legally blind since 2018. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Langley Trappers, seen here during the previous regular season at George Preston, won’t be asking fans to toss teddy bears this season. Instead, trappers and arena mates Langley Rivermen are asking fans to throw “warmth items” such as blankets, socks, gloves and toques for the homeless. (Langley Advance Times file)

Instead of a teddy bear toss, 2 B.C. hockey teams are asking fans to throw ‘warmth items’ for the homeless

Langley Trappers and Rivermen are asking for socks, gloves, toques and blankets

Langley Trappers, seen here during the previous regular season at George Preston, won’t be asking fans to toss teddy bears this season. Instead, trappers and arena mates Langley Rivermen are asking fans to throw “warmth items” such as blankets, socks, gloves and toques for the homeless. (Langley Advance Times file)
A BC Hydro survey shows more British Columbians are planning to go all out with their Christmas displays this year, but the majority of residents will stick with more minimalist decorations. (Black Press Media file photo)

More ‘mega’ Christmas displays expected this year despite cost concerns: BC Hydro

Lower Mainland residents three times more likely to be mega decorators

A BC Hydro survey shows more British Columbians are planning to go all out with their Christmas displays this year, but the majority of residents will stick with more minimalist decorations. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tom Verbrugge and his son Mica have the bonfire stoked and the hotdogs ready to roast when Tom’s Trees Christmas tree farm opens on Nov. 26, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY TOM VERBRUGGE)

It’s beginning to look a lot more expensive for a Christmas tree this year

Variety of factors contributing, effect on Islanders will vary depending on where you shop

Tom Verbrugge and his son Mica have the bonfire stoked and the hotdogs ready to roast when Tom’s Trees Christmas tree farm opens on Nov. 26, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY TOM VERBRUGGE)