holidays – Spoke

Cambridge Winter Illumination installations spark joy in the community

The City of Cambridge brought back a community favourite, the Winter Illumination, to kick off this year’s holiday season. The decorative light installations spread across the city aim to bring the community together and add some light to these dark winter nights. According to the City of Cambridge website, Winter Illumination was brought back “by popular demand,” and will shine brighter with more installations than last year. Some installations will … Continued

Bingemans Gift of Lights aims to lift holiday spirits

Bingemans Gift of Lights is back for another holiday season with more than 300 light displays, including drive-thru tunnels. The attraction can vary in cost; depending on what night you go, it can be anywhere from $25 to $45. This attraction will be open all through the holiday season. Its last day is Jan. 9, 2022.

Blue Mountain is a winter wonderland, even in a pandemic

Blue Mountain is an alpine ski resort located in Collingwood, Ont., with a great view of the Nottawasaga Bay. It’s a two-hour drive from Waterloo but is well worth the trip for an afternoon.

AUDIO: The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on holiday celebrations

As the virus continues to spread rapidly, families fear how this will affect the holiday season.

Waterloo Region residents commence holiday shopping amid fear of mall closures

While COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the region, some Kitchener residents have started their Christmas shopping nearly five months early in the event of mall shutdowns.

Looking to kiss a special someone under the mistletoe? There’s a trail for that

Waterloo Region’s “mistletoe trail” offers residents a chance to get seasonably flirty.

Agency has a giving spirit

BY MELISSA HORTON Every holiday season, heartwarming stories come out in the news about communities helping families in need. These families are struggling to make ends meet and need help in buying gifts for their loved ones. However, the need is so great that some people are overlooked. One Kitchener company has stepped in to help. Thresholds, a non-profit community mental health agency, works with mental health clients as well … Continued

Travelling home for the holidays is worthwhile

BY SHARON SAMUEL It was good to be home again. My journey back to India began on Dec. 9 when I boarded my 9:15 p.m. Emirates flight. Wow, that Boeing was a big one. I sat in my comfortable seat, leaning on the window and trying to sleep as I had a 13-hour journey ahead of me. After reaching Dubai airport I took another flight to Kuwait to meet my … Continued

Cups cause controversy

BY DEEANNA ROLLINS Since 1997 Starbucks has had a different design for their holiday cups. Last year, they had the plain red cups, which were apparently too subtlety inclusive of other religions and cultures because the cups didn’t blatantly say Merry Christmas. People were going to Starbucks and asking for “Merry F**king Christmas” on their cups in order for them to unashamedly flaunt their religion and beliefs to the world. … Continued

Tree of Hope Christmas campaign underway

BY RILEY LINSEMAN Are you someone who celebrates Christmas? Think of your daily routine every year on Christmas Day. You wake up extra early in the morning (if you were able to sleep at all), race downstairs as fast as you can to see all the presents under the tree and then, if your parents (or whoever it is you may be living with) aren’t up already, you immediately go … Continued

Black Friday sales hit Canada

BY GARRETT BURCHETT

Chickadee Christmas trees providing trees and fun

BY PAUL BOREHAM

What does Christmas really mean?

BY JESSICA PETT Christmas is a holiday that was once both a religious holiday and a cherished, family-filled time with memories and tradition. Now it is cursed with the obsessive need to give and receive material items. A once holistic, heart-warming holiday has become commercialized. Consumers of all shapes and sizes pile into shopping malls and stores across the world to find the perfect Christmas gifts for their loved ones. … Continued

A home for the holidays

BY MARK LORENTZ It looks like Christmas morning; decorations, presents and a turkey in the oven. Yet for 10 young mothers with their newborn children, weighing heavily on their mind is the fact they are in a homeless shelter. They realize that “looks” and “feels” are two completely different things. Marillac Place, located within walking distance of Kitchener City Hall, opened its doors in 1987 as a safe haven for … Continued

Tag: holidays