Holidays

The Monday before May 25 is a day in honour of Queen Victoria, the 19th-century British monarch. How much do you know about this queen? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: In honour of Queen Victoria

How much do you know about the famous monarch associated with the Victoria Day long weekend?

 

A woman admires Leonardo da Vinci’s painting ’ The Last Supper ‘, dating back to 1494-1498 and preserved at the ex-Renaissance refectory of the convent adjacent to the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie church, in Milan, Italy. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

QUIZ: A celebration of Easter

The Easter weekend is a celebration of spring and an important observance in the Christian faith

 

FILE - Zoe Gutierrez receives ashes on her forehead for Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Odessa, Texas. In 2024, Feb. 14 is a holiday heavyweight due to a calendar collision of events — it’s Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday. (Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP, File)

When Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday collide on the calendar

Important date on the Christian calendar supercedes holiday of love for practicing Catholics

 

Shubenacadie Sam looks around after emerging from his burrow at the wildlife park in Shubenacadie, N.S. on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 2018. The beloved and occasionally controversial annual event that inspired the classic Bill Murray comedy film will see celebrity rodents make their spring predictions today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

It’s unanimous: Canada’s groundhogs signal early spring

Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick prognosticators all signal better weather coming soon

Shubenacadie Sam looks around after emerging from his burrow at the wildlife park in Shubenacadie, N.S. on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 2018. The beloved and occasionally controversial annual event that inspired the classic Bill Murray comedy film will see celebrity rodents make their spring predictions today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Anthropologist Sarah Edris with the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center holds a commemorative keepsake during an interview in Kutztown, Pa., Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. These lodges began as a way to preserve and celebrate Pennsylvania Dutch culture and traditions. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Getting your Phil: everything you need to know about Groundhog Day

In Punxsutawney — and elsewhere — event takes place in the shadow of fun

Anthropologist Sarah Edris with the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center holds a commemorative keepsake during an interview in Kutztown, Pa., Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. These lodges began as a way to preserve and celebrate Pennsylvania Dutch culture and traditions. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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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

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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?

Gifts wrapped and ready on Christmas morning. (Philip Wolf photo)
A few kids were given a sneak peak at some of Glow Langley’s 2023 light features, ahead of opening day on Nov. 23. By allowing them to tour the site at night, organizers hoped to gauge their response. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Enter the Glow Christmas Carnival

Enter the contest below for your chance to win tickets!

A few kids were given a sneak peak at some of Glow Langley’s 2023 light features, ahead of opening day on Nov. 23. By allowing them to tour the site at night, organizers hoped to gauge their response. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
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

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)
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’ B.C. 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)
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)
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)