Christmas 2014
MERRY CHRISTMAS
It's finally here. After weeks of decorating, shopping and Christmas music— it's Christmas Day.
STAFF PICKS: Our Christmas traditions
It seems everyone has Christmas traditions. They can be passed down generation after generation or maybe it is something you started doing in recent years but has quickly become a tradition for you and your family.
STAFF PICKS: Games to bond over
During the holidays, when the family gets together, full out war can ensue around the dinner table. Or you can pull out a board game to keep busy. Some games are better for families with younger children, others are more suitable for an older crowd. Some make you think and others are perfect for drinking...
Cheapest last-minute Christmas vacations on a beach
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The spirit of Christmas is supposed to be with you wherever you go, so who says you can’t celebrate the holidays with a mojito on a beach somewhere? If you’re ill-prepared for the holidays and impulsive when it comes to travel, the top two all-inclusive locations that won’t break the bank in December...
Corduroy, double knits and extreme weather: What Christmas was like 50 years ago
KAMLOOPS – Fifty years ago in Kamloops the gifts, clothes and news were different, but the holiday spirit was just as strong as today’s. In a look back at the Kamloops Daily Sentinel from December, 1964 the hot ticket items to gift for kids were dolls for girls and trucks or model kits for boys....
How Vernon is making Christmas wishes come true
VERNON - A phone card, a bus ticket, warm footwear: It’s not your usual Christmas wish list, but for those on the receiving end, the gifts may mean a call home, a family visit or keeping warm on the unforgiving winter streets. It’s part of an initiative called Homeless Partners, which collects stories from the...
It’s not Christmas in Vernon until you’ve seen these 8 things
VERNON - It doesn’t truly feel like Christmas in Vernon until you’ve spotted these classic holiday scenes around town. 1. Downtown Vernon transformed into Whoville. Local merchants decorate storefronts fit for Cindy Lou Who and twinkle lights adorn the sidewalk. %%Image1%% 2. A busy Christmas craft fair or Winter Market. It’s not Christmas without a...
Ways to give back to the Vernon community this holiday season
VERNON - If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community this holiday season, there are plenty of organizations in Vernon welcoming both donations and volunteers. Dave McBain, with the Salvation Army Food Bank, says people can lend a hand by donating cash or food to help feed those in need. Donations...
Six signs its Christmas time in Penticton
PENTICTON - There are six signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1 - It’s not really Christmas in Penticton until you see the SS Sicamous decked out in Christmas lights, not just the standard lighting we are used to throughout the year. It’s worth a look, down at the waterfront at the...
Five local books for under your tree this Christmas
PENTICTON - If you’re looking for some local books this Christmas - for yourself or as gifts - you might be surprised to find the wealth of talent and subject variety coming from a number of Penticton and area authors. Judy Zubriski of "Hooked on Books" in Penticton pointed out five local authors with recently...
The new way to put up Christmas lights in Vernon? Hire someone
VERNON - At age 10, Nicholas Moffat was helping his mom with the magical and much anticipated Christmas display at Art Knapps, something they began planning three months ahead of time. Now, many years later with kids of his own, the businessman has found a way to keep doing what he loves. The only difference?...
Donating for a Christmas cause
PENTICTON - If you’re looking to spread the Christmas spirit this year by donating to a charitable cause, there are Penticton organizations that can put your generosity to good use. The Salvation Army is always a good bet when it comes to donating. Joey Cyr, Food Bank Manager for the Salvation Army, said the organization...
PHOTOS: Santa skis and snowboards for free
BIG WHITE – If you were one of the first 30 people to show up at the Big White Ski Resort Sunday dressed as Santa Claus, you got to ski for free. The annual promotion added a very festive feel to the slopes at the resort and the freshly falling snow didn’t hurt. The resort...
Kamloops food bank raises nearly $40K for holiday season
KAMLOOPS - Hundreds flocked to catch a glimpse of the Canadian Pacific holiday train to watch Jim Cuddy and Tracey Brown perform, drink some hot chocolate and cheer on Santa Claus, but the holiday spirit didn't end there. The Tuesday evening event, set up to collect food and cash donations for the Kamloops food bank,...
Charity comes easy to this Kelowna family
KELOWNA – For the third year in a row a Mission family is showing that charity doesn’t have to be a lot of hard work. For the past two years, the de Haas family have partnered with a local pizza shop to donate more than a dozen pizzas they take to school and offer to...