Christmas

Children in Costa Rica check out their Canadian-packed Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. (Contributed)

Red Deer packs over 2,225 gift-filled Christmas shoe boxes for children in need

Samaritan’s Purse releases 2022 campaign update

 

Red Deer Christmas Bureau volunteers sort books for Red Deer and area families. (File photo by Advocate Staff)

Red Deer Christmas Bureau puts out a call for books

Book drive set for Jan. 14

 

Gary and Karen Webb enjoy decorating their yard for Christmas each year to help spread Christmas cheer in Red Deer. (Contributed)

‘Tis the season to decorate in Red Deer

Spectacular holiday displays can be found indoors and outdoors

 

FILE - Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe helps Rebels staff clean up the thousands of items off the ice during the annual Toque and Teddy Bear Toss night at the Peavey Mart Centrium on Dec. 9. Proceeds went to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)

Friday is the last day to apply for holiday support from Red Deer Christmas Bureau

Be prepared for a lineup

FILE - Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe helps Rebels staff clean up the thousands of items off the ice during the annual Toque and Teddy Bear Toss night at the Peavey Mart Centrium on Dec. 9. Proceeds went to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)
Handpainted, wooden ornaments decorate trees at Canada 150 Square for Capstone’s Kindness Tree project, on Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)

Red Deer youth spread Christmas cheer with Kindness Trees

A partnership with Paint the Town Positive and Capstone

Handpainted, wooden ornaments decorate trees at Canada 150 Square for Capstone’s Kindness Tree project, on Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)
Red Deer residents Wilf and Cindy Andrus, and Jenny Tuliao, helped out at Calgary’s Samaritan’s Purse processing centre for Operation Christmas Child on Dec. 6, 2022. (Contributed)

Still time to spread holiday cheer with Operation Christmas Child

Annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse

Red Deer residents Wilf and Cindy Andrus, and Jenny Tuliao, helped out at Calgary’s Samaritan’s Purse processing centre for Operation Christmas Child on Dec. 6, 2022. (Contributed)
Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail is set to host a Light the Night event over the holidays this year. (Contributed photo)

Discovery Wildlife Park hosts first-ever ‘Light the Night’ event

Discover Wildlife Park in Innisfail is set to host a unique event…

Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail is set to host a Light the Night event over the holidays this year. (Contributed photo)
Red Deer Christmas Bureau is accepting applications for assistance until Dec. 16. (From Facebook)

Red Deer Christmas Bureau expects huge increase in clients

Bureau moves to bigger building

Red Deer Christmas Bureau is accepting applications for assistance until Dec. 16. (From Facebook)
The 2022 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will pass through central Alberta. (Photo contributed)

CP Holiday Train returns to the tracks to support central Alberta food banks

Holiday Train returns after two-year hiatus

The 2022 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will pass through central Alberta. (Photo contributed)
Children in Costa Rica opening their Canadian-packed Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. (Photo contributed by Frank King)

Canada’s 2022 Operation Christmas Child campaign announced

Central Albertans encouraged to help children in West Africa, Central America and Ukraine

Children in Costa Rica opening their Canadian-packed Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. (Photo contributed by Frank King)
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

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)
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

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)
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

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)
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)