Christmas

For 60 years families in need have received free gifts for children and a holiday meal from the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. (Photo by Advocate staff)

Red Deer Christmas Bureau gives unwanted Christmas trees a second chance

Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity to collect and dispose of live trees

 

FILE — In this Aug. 15, 2015, file photo, people stand on the sandbar in Hawaii's Kaneohe Bay. Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources is warning people that they face arrest if found burning Christmas trees at an oceanic sandbar. The sandbar found between the open Pacific Ocean and Kaneohe Bay on Oahu's windward side is a popular gathering place for local boaters and tourists. A tradition of piling up Christmas trees for bonfires on the sandbar is harming the environment, officials said in a statement Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

Hawaii: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar

Hawaii: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar

 

In this promotional image provided by ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas, which ABC will air Dec. 6 and Dec. 16 to commemorate the classic animated cartoon’s 40th anniversary. Do you know when this holiday special first aired? (AP Photo/ABC, 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc.,File)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Christmas traditions?

Put your knowledge to the test with these 12 questions

 

Tristen Place, turning 10, took some time with his pogo stick to spring into the official first day of spring in downtown Williams Lake. Do you know where the modern pogo stick was invented? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

From long-lasting traditions to fads, there’s a lot of history to play and recreation.

Tristen Place, turning 10, took some time with his pogo stick to spring into the official first day of spring in downtown Williams Lake. Do you know where the modern pogo stick was invented? (Black Press file photo)
Some of the school buses that take students to Spruce View School are decorated for holiday. (Photo contributed)

Central Alberta school knows how to deck the halls

Spruce View School keeps the Christmas spirit alive

Some of the school buses that take students to Spruce View School are decorated for holiday. (Photo contributed)
Toy depot director Penny Lebreton stocks shelves at the Red Deer Christmas Bureau on Wednesday. Community need is higher this holiday season than in 2020, say local charities that are processing more applications for assistance. (Contributed photo)

Red Deer charities are striving to meet growing need this holiday season

Non-profits report rise in applications for assistance

Toy depot director Penny Lebreton stocks shelves at the Red Deer Christmas Bureau on Wednesday. Community need is higher this holiday season than in 2020, say local charities that are processing more applications for assistance. (Contributed photo)
Red Deerians once again have a chance to win prizes for their outdoor holiday displays. (Photo from Parkvale Community Association on Facebook)

Red Deer neighbourhoods glitter with holiday lights

Prizes to be awarded for Neighbourhood Lights the Night contest

Red Deerians once again have a chance to win prizes for their outdoor holiday displays. (Photo from Parkvale Community Association on Facebook)
The Giving Tree features anonymous tags which display the Christmas wish list of each of the seniors living at Bethany’s long-term care and supportive living facility. (Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla/Black Press news services)

Giving Tree returns to spread joy in Sylvan Lake

Tree located in Shoppers Drug Mart on 50A St.

The Giving Tree features anonymous tags which display the Christmas wish list of each of the seniors living at Bethany’s long-term care and supportive living facility. (Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla/Black Press news services)
A variety of Christmas markets and other special holiday events are coming up in Central Alberta. (Black Press file photo).

Christmas special events are cropping up around central Alberta

The Festival of Trees will usher in the Yuletime shopping season

A variety of Christmas markets and other special holiday events are coming up in Central Alberta. (Black Press file photo).
Light displays at City Hall Park, Ross Street Patio and Capstone start on Nov. 19. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Red Deer Lights the Night returns in modified format

Get ready to explore festive lights, decorations and activities in greater downtown

Light displays at City Hall Park, Ross Street Patio and Capstone start on Nov. 19. (File photo by Advocate staff)
A volunteer at the Red Deer Christmas Bureau was stacking gloves and mittens on Nov. 20, 2017 as the organization prepared to open its doors. (File photo by Advocate staff)

Red Deer Christmas Bureau welcomes clients preparing for holiday season

Nonprofit celebrates 60 years helping people in Red Deer and area

A volunteer at the Red Deer Christmas Bureau was stacking gloves and mittens on Nov. 20, 2017 as the organization prepared to open its doors. (File photo by Advocate staff)
(Pixabay, illustration)

Where’s Santa? NORAD is tracking the jolly old man around the globe this Christmas

As with all things, the Santa tracker will look a little different this year

(Pixabay, illustration)
Red Deer Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign runs until Dec. 24. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Salvation Army kettle campaign wrapping up

Final tally yet to come

Red Deer Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign runs until Dec. 24. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)
Father Remi Hebert of Grande Prairie's St. Joseph Catholic Church, shown on Wednesday Dec.16, 2020, is adapting to COVID-19 restrictions by offering Christmas masses online via Facebook Live. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Beauchamp

Churches look for ways to evoke a true Christmas mass in COVID-19 pandemic

Churches look for ways to evoke a true Christmas mass in COVID-19 pandemic

Father Remi Hebert of Grande Prairie's St. Joseph Catholic Church, shown on Wednesday Dec.16, 2020, is adapting to COVID-19 restrictions by offering Christmas masses online via Facebook Live. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Beauchamp
. (Getty Images)

Red Deer restaurant offers free Christmas meal

Free traditional turkey meals will be available in Red Deer on Christmas…

. (Getty Images)
Valeria Melia, a Toronto mother of two, has quarantined "Sugarpuff", her Elf of the Shelf doll seen in an undated handout photo, for 14 days. While some families don't want pandemic reminders to cloud Christmas within their own homes, others are finding whimsical ways to incorporate COVID-related elements into their regular rituals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Valeria, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Sanitizing Santa, isolating elves: parents add pandemic themes to Christmas magic

Sanitizing Santa, isolating elves: parents add pandemic themes to Christmas magic

Valeria Melia, a Toronto mother of two, has quarantined "Sugarpuff", her Elf of the Shelf doll seen in an undated handout photo, for 14 days. While some families don't want pandemic reminders to cloud Christmas within their own homes, others are finding whimsical ways to incorporate COVID-related elements into their regular rituals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Valeria, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Ted MacLeay and Sharon MacLeod, at 76 Deschner Close in Red Deer, have decorated their front yard for Christmas for about 15 years. Children can drop letters for Santa into the North Pole postal box mailbox outside their home. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)

Red Deer residents ready to receive letters for Santa

Deer Park holiday display includes North Pole mailbox

Ted MacLeay and Sharon MacLeod, at 76 Deschner Close in Red Deer, have decorated their front yard for Christmas for about 15 years. Children can drop letters for Santa into the North Pole postal box mailbox outside their home. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)
Associate Minister Hunter joins Minister Dreeshen to cut the red tape on Alberta’s Christmas trees. (Photo submitted)

Unwrapping red tape on Christmas

Opinion

  • Dec 1, 2020
Associate Minister Hunter joins Minister Dreeshen to cut the red tape on Alberta’s Christmas trees. (Photo submitted)
Make sure to plan a visit to select Hallmark Gold Crown locations to pick up the perfect holiday gifts!

A longtime Canadian holiday tradition returns to Alberta!

Sandstone Pharmacies introduces Hallmark Gold Crown at select Sandstone Pharmacies locations

  • Nov 30, 2020
Make sure to plan a visit to select Hallmark Gold Crown locations to pick up the perfect holiday gifts!
People wear face masks as they pose next to a Christmas display in Montreal, Sunday, November 22, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

How to tell family their Christmas gathering is too risky and you’re not going

How to tell family their Christmas gathering is too risky and you’re not going

People wear face masks as they pose next to a Christmas display in Montreal, Sunday, November 22, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes