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Christmas Celebrating the season in Greater Victoria Readers share their favourite yuletide stories Eric Akis: Three appetizers Helen Chesnut: Festive plants Gifts for everyone
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Christmas Celebrating the season in Greater Victoria Readers share their favourite yuletide stories Eric Akis: Three appetizers Helen Chesnut: Festive plants Gifts for everyone
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The Recipe for a Perfect Holiday Relax with a coffee and review your Christmas list.
’Tis the Season to be WOWED December 1 - January 6
Find the perfect Christmas surprise with help from Oak Bay Village merchants. Check the last items off your list and meet friends for dinner.
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250.652.5256 butchartgardens.com/christmas *Requires admission to The Gardens
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The Recipe for a Perfect Holiday Relax with a coffee and review your Christmas list.
’Tis the Season to be WOWED December 1 - January 6
Find the perfect Christmas surprise with help from Oak Bay Village merchants. Check the last items off your list and meet friends for dinner.
Catch up with neighbours and friends.
The Magic of Christmas Dining Special Christmas menus
Pick up something special for holiday guests.
butchartgardens.com/menus
Reserve today 250.652.4422
12 Month Pass
The Magic of Christmas
Give a 5-Seasons experience from The Butchart Gardens with an Adult, Youth or Child 12 Month Pass
A family tradition Delight in tens of thousands of coloured lights T Find all Twelve Days of Christmas T Skate on our outdoor ice rink T Enjoy evening Carollers & Festive Brass T
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Mark your calendar *Skate with your Victoria Royals at The Butchart Gardens. Sunday, December 7th, 3pm - 4:30pm Come meet the team, get autographs and be sure to bring your camera.
250.652.5256 butchartgardens.com/christmas *Requires admission to The Gardens
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Christmas magic at Butchart Gardens. Details, page 16
ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST
COVER PHOTO: Craigdarroch Castle decks its halls for the Christmas season, a process that takes many hours and involves staff and several volunteers. Self-guided tours are available. Craigdarroch also offers students a unique glimpse into Victorian traditions through its school tours during December. DEBRA BRASH, TIMES COLONIST
10 22 44 50 52 58 62 70 76
Catch the holiday spirit with festive events for all ages Readers share their personal stories of Christmas past Christmas plants can last all year. Helen Chesnut shares her secrets Got a favourite Christmas movie? See if it makes our Top-10 list Eric Akis provides some timely tips and recipes for a Christmas party
Capital
Christmas CHRISTMAS 2014 DAVE OBEE | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID WHITMAN | ADVERTISING DIRECTOR DARRON KLOSTER | EDITOR ROGER WHITE | DESIGN DIRECTOR JASON SCRIVEN | SALES MANAGER WENDY KALO | OPERATIONS MANAGER
Decorating for the holidays: Make it fun — and personal. What to buy? What to buy? A gift guide for all on your list Christmas fashions for every occasion Columnist Jack Knox on the art of setting up your Christmas tree
Capital is published by the Times Colonist, a division of TC Publication Limited Partnership, at 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, British Columbia V8T 4M2. Canadian Publications Registration No. 0530646. GST No. 84505 1507 RT0001 Please send comments about Capital to: Editor-in-Chief Dave Obee, dobee@timescolonist.com. To advertise in the next edition, phone 250-995-4464, or email Sales Manager Jason Scriven at jscriven@timescolonist.com.
Capital Christmas 2014 7
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DAVE OBEE • Editor-in-chief, Times Colonist
A season worth celebrating
C
hristmas is a time of tradition, a time when we talk about peace on earth and good will toward others. With all of the pressure points these days — Ebola, terrorism, wars and so forth — we can take comfort at this time of year, surrounded by family, friends and good feelings. The spirit of Christmas is built, to a large extent, on our memories, and a longing for the more peaceful, stable times of long ago. With that in mind, I will try to break it to you gently. There have been problems, wars, and so on in every December. A quick check of the archives reveals the month is not immune to the bad things that happen. In 1864, or 150 years ago, the British Colonist reported Christmas was ruined by weather that hit Victoria “like the ghost of Hamlet.” In 1914, a century ago, newspapers were filled with stories on the Great War raging in Europe — and Canadians had not even seen action at that point. Fifty years ago, in 1964, along with news of the Vietnam War and a major crackdown on drinking and driving, the Daily Colonist reported “with deep regret” that a Christmas tradition — the Christmas Tree Golf Tournament — had to be cancelled because of bad weather. There was snow on the two courses, Uplands and Royal Colwood. The fairways had about five centimetres of the white stuff, not that we counted it that way, but it was enough to
8 Capital Christmas 2014
shut down the only Christmas golf tournament in Canada. But through it all, over the decades, there has been a real spirit of Christmas, a feeling in the air that has allowed us to forget our troubles, for a few moments at least, and reach a sense of peace and happiness. Giving to others is a key part of every religion. The classic book, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, reaffirms this. Ebenezer Scrooge finds freedom and jubilation once he learns to care about others. When we put our troubles aside to help others, we all benefit. Christmas becomes a time of sharing, and caring, and doing the right thing. It is also a time to celebrate with our families, and celebrate our friendships. It is a time to get into the community and share the spirit with everyone else. This, our first edition of Capital Christmas, offers you a guide to the holiday season. We bring you heart-warming memories of Christmases past from our readers, who remind us that family, friends and community are well worth celebrating this time of year. We tell you about some of the key events in Greater Victoria, offer advice on food to prepare, how to decorate with special Christmas plants and much more. We even offer suggestions for what to wear to all of those special Christmas events, and what presents you could give to those impossible people on your list. Enjoy. And, from all of us at the Times Colonist, have a safe, happy holiday season.
09 - Christmas - Ad Blank
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SEASONAL EVENTS
Nutcracker, Canadian style
Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s 2014 production of The Nutcracker. VINCE PAHKALA Canada’s beloved Royal Winnipeg Ballet is bringing its Canadian version of the Nutcracker to Victoria for the first time on Dec. 5, 6 and 7. Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and performed by the Victoria Symphony, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s newest interpretation serves up a unique Canadian perspective, including a hockey game on a snowy pond, a battle on Parliament Hill and a visiting aunt from Montreal. The sets and costumes are described as “sumptuous.” The Canadian version of the Russian classic premiered in 1999 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. This year, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet had to redesign its set to fit the 1,400-seat Royal Theatre. The new size also means the company can bring the performance to Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on Dec. 9 and 10. The original Nutcracker takes place in 1913 on Christmas Eve. It’s a prosperous time in a bustling city, full of new immigrants. Inside young Clara’s house, everything is abuzz with excitement in preparation for the celebration ahead. At midnight Clara’s fantasy unfolds and brings with it dancing mice, the Sugar Plum fairy and, of course, the Nutcracker prince who comes to life.
WHAT: Dance Victoria presents the Nutcracker WHERE: Royal Theatre WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. TICKETS: Available at the McPherson box office, 250-386-6121, and www.DanceVictoria.com 10 Capital Christmas 2014
Catch the spirit • Nov. 22 to Jan. 4: Canada’s National Gingerbread Showcase at the Inn at Laurel Point. Vote for your favourite displays in exchange for a $2 donation to Habitat for Humanity Victoria. Admission is free. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Nov. 25 to Jan. 4: Bear Wear at the Hotel Grand Pacific. The popular event has been raising money for the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island since 2001, generating $350,000 — including $27,500 in 2013-14. Vote for a favourite bear for a donation of $2. • Dec. 7: First Metropolitan United Church Christmas concert and traditional Wassail, 7 p.m., 932 Balmoral Rd. Adults $25, Seniors $23, Under 25 $5. Tickets at door or at www.firstmetvictoria.com • Dec. 11 to 14 and Dec. 18 to 23: Society of Friends of St. Ann’s Academy global Nativity exhibit, 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Sisters’ Parlor of St. Ann’s Academy. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. • Dec. 13 and 14: Soundings Vocal Ensemble presents Wintersongs, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., Oak Bay United Church; and Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Anglican Church. Tickets $20, $15. www.soundingsmusic.com • Dec. 18: St. Ann’s Academy Raven Baroque Concert, 7:30 p.m., Academy Chapel. • Dec. 21: St. Ann’s Academy Family Carolling and Sing Along, 1:30 p.m., Academy Chapel. Admission is free. Gifts of non-perishable foods are accepted.
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SEASONAL EVENTS
Away in a manger
Live nativity scene performed at Topaz Park, Dec. 21-23. PHOTOS: DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
You don’t need to follow a star. But finding your way to Topaz Park will bring you to Greater Victoria’s live nativity pageant, staged with a huge cast of characters that includes a newborn baby and live animals. The story of the birth of Jesus is a familiar story to Christians and many other faiths around the world. This retelling by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Friends shows what it must have been like to have been in the stable that night, to see the shepherds and wise men come from afar. In an uncertain world where many crave peace, the nativity is a symbol of hope and understanding.
WHAT: First Christmas Nativity Pageant WHERE: Topaz Park, on Topaz Avenue. Access from Quadra Street WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 21; Monday, Dec. 22; Tuesday, Dec. 23 TIME: Four performances every half hour starting at 6:30 p.m. COST: Free and open to the public
St. Ann’s Academy Global Nativity
Every year, the Festival of Trees lights up the Empress Hotel and transforms the landmark into a creative forest of decorated Christmas trees to raise money for the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation. The event’s 23rd year will bring together sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals to decorate 78 trees for all to tour and enjoy over the Christmas season. The event is open to the public seven days a week until 11 p.m. each night until Jan. 6. There is no admission cost, but with a minimum $2 donation you can vote for your favourite tree. Every year, more than 20,000 votes are cast for Festival of Trees, well-dressed trees that often tell stories or simply Empress Hotel. reflect a sponsor’s business interests. In previous 12 Capital Christmas 2014
St. Ann’s Academy Nativity exhibit features figures from different parts of the world, Dec. 11-14 and Dec. 18-23 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Free admission.
years, trees have been dressed in ingenious ways such as chandeliers and champagne bottles. And there are plenty traditionally decorated with ribbons, balls and garland. Last year, the event raised more than $205,000. All funds raised will support the B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
WHAT: Festival of Trees in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation WHERE: The Empress Hotel WHEN: Nov. 19 to Jan. 6 TIME: to 11 p.m. each night COST: Free and open to the public. $2 per vote for your favourite tree
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SEASONAL EVENTS
Hallelujah! As beloved as the audience-participation version of the Messiah has become, it isn’t the usual way of performing the time-honoured George Frideric Handel piece. “Messiah is traditionally presented by people who stand up there and sing, and everyone else sits and listens,” said Peter Butterfield, director of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. “There’s been quite a tradition in Canada over at least 25 years of a sing-along Messiah.” Butterfield will be involved in two sing-along versions, one produced by the Victoria Philharmonic Choir at Shawnigan Lake School. He said a group of up to 70 choir members will take part. That show will feature Handel’s original orchestration, while the Alix Goolden Hall presentation produced by the Civic Orchestra of Victoria will have the revised music created by Mozart. Butterfield said Mozart “embellished” the music and produced something distinct. “It has French horns and clarinets, sounds which people don’t usually associate with the Messiah.” Although singing is encouraged at both shows, some people prefer to simply listen, Butterfield said. 16 Capital Christmas 2014
Peter Butterfield, director of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. BRUCE STOTESBURY, TIMES COLONIST
Still others favour the aura created by the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in its annual rendition of the Messiah, which will be held at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium.
WHAT: Sing-along Messiah by the Victoria Philharmonic Choir WHERE: Shawnigan Lake School Chapel WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 14 TIME: 2:30 p.m. COST: Regular admission $20, Students $10, 12-and-under free WHAT: Sing-along Messiah by the Civic Orchestra of Victoria WHERE: Alix Goolden Hall WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 17 TIME: 7 p.m. COST: Regular admission $22, Seniors $18, Students $10, 12-and-under free WHAT: Messiah by the Victoria Symphony Orchestra WHERE: Farquhar Auditorium at the University of Victoria WHEN: Dec. 19 TIME: 8 p.m. COST: Adults $30-$50, Seniors $28-$48, Students $15-$25
Butchart magic Staff at Butchart Gardens use military-style precision over a nine-week period to prepare the National Historic Site for its Magic of Christmas Celebration makeover. And it shows. By the Dec. 1 opening, the gardens will be transformed into Victoria’s version of Winter Wonderland. Butchart Gardens spokesman Graham Bell said workers tie ribbons into 2,500 bows and prepare dozens of wreaths made of holly and winter berries along the walkways. There are “tens of thousands” of colourful lights and more than six kilometres of cedar garlands hung throughout the gardens. Butchart staff also install displays to depict the 12 days of Christmas and tuck them throughout the gardens, prompting visitors to sing the popular carol as they go. One of the last installations is the skating rink. It’s completely open to the elements, giving visitors a chance to skate under the stars or in the rain. The ice is slightly sloped to allow rain to drain off the ice surface. “It’s the equivalent of a real Zamboni doing a light spray on to the ice,” said Bell.
WHAT: Magic of Christmas Celebration. WHERE: The Butchart Gardens WHEN: Dec. 1 to Jan. 6 TIME: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Light-up begins at dusk, usually around 4 p.m.. On Christmas Day, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. COST: Adults $25.50; Ages 13-17 $12.75; Ages five to 12 $3; Under five free. Children are also encouraged to bring paper snowflakes to exchange for a free hot chocolate. Check the Butchart website for special Christmas events, butchartgardens.com
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SEASONAL EVENTS
Downtown’s ferris wheel, lights, trolleys
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon decorates the tree in her office at Government House. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
Government House to open for Christmas carolling Government House — the mansion and gardens on Rockland Avenue — will open its majestic doors this year for Christmas carolling and hot cocoa with the Queen’s representative in B.C. The enormous working home will be decked out “tip to tail” by Friends of Government House Garden Society. There will be garlands galore and a large tree in the main hallway, with Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon on hand to greet visitors. Even more trees will be set up and decorated courtesy of Grade 3 classes from six elementary schools invited to trim the trees in the ballroom, where the carolling will take place. In previous years, Christmas
Little engines
carolling took place outside, but this year it promises to be cozier inside, combined with an open house and tour of the main floor. At least one community-based adult choir will be there to lead in singing carols. Government House can accommodate hundreds at a time as long as they’re standing, so it promises to be quite a seasonal songfest.
WHAT: Christmas Open House and Carolling at Government House WHERE: 1401 Rockland Ave. WHEN: Friday, Dec. 12 TIME: 5-7 p.m. COST: Free, open to the public
Vancouver Island Model Engineers are running model trains in support of Saanich Historical Artifacts Society Christmas in the Village, Dec. 5, 6 and 7 and again on Dec. 12, 13 and 14, 5 to 8 p.m., at 7321 Lochside Drive.
18 Capital Christmas 2014
The Downtown Victoria Business Association and City of Victoria want to get you in the holiday spirit with events for all ages. • Seventh Annual Christmas Tree Light-Up. Nov. 29 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Enjoy free musical performances and treats and watch thousands of lights switched on at 5 p.m. • Ferris wheel rides. Nov. 29 to Dec. 21, Fridays (5 to 9 p.m.); Saturdays (1 to 9 p.m.); Sundays (1 to 7 p.m.) See the lights of Centennial Square and downtown Victoria from 20 metres above the ground. Rides are $2. Riders must be over two years old and 92 centimetres tall (36 inches) to ride with an adult. It will close in inclement weather. • Free Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides. Nov. 29 to Dec. 21, Saturdays (noon to 4 p.m.); Sundays (noon to 3 p.m.) The trolleys are free and a unique way to tour the downtown or take a scenic break while you rest your weary feet from shopping. The trolleys will circulate on a pre-set route with four stops. • 49th Annual Carolling Week at Victoria City Hall. Dec. 1, 2, 3 and 5 from noon to 12:40 p.m. Bring a lunch and enjoy this annual tradition, showcasing choirs from Greater Victoria schools.
Make We Merry! Early music group Banquo Folk Ensemble celebrates the season with Yuletide songs from the 12th century to the present day, performed on vocals, cittern, cuatro, mandolin, uilleann pipes, recorders, fiddle and percussion, Dec. 14, 2:30 p.m., James Bay United Church. Tickets $15 available at door. www.banquo.ca
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Naden Band like rock stars The Naden Band Christmas concert series and toy drive is a much-loved local tradition. “It’s almost like a rock concert. People line up for tickets,” said petty officer first class Karen Shields, who plays flute and piccolo in the 35-piece concert band. “Some families have been coming for years. It’s a Christmas tradition,” she said. This year will mark the navy band’s 36th annual charity concert series. The event is a partnership with the Salvation Army. Those attending are asked to bring an unwrapped toy, which the charity collects and distributes to local underprivileged children for Christmas. “Truckloads of toys fill the lobbies,” said Shields.
SEASONAL EVENTS
The Naden Band is a big hit during the Christmas season. BRUCE STOTESBURY, TIMES COLONIST
The band gets the audience in a holiday mood with carols, traditional and pop tunes and special guests. This year, celebrated Island tenor Ken Lavigne and singer Stephanie Greaves will perform at the Royal Theatre.
WHAT: Naden Band Christmas concerts WHERE: Royal Theatre WHEN: Monday, Dec. 15, Tuesday, Dec. 16, Wednesday, Dec. 17 TIME: 7:30 p.m. COST: $10 (plus a toy)
Holiday Fun Celebrate the Holiday Season at these great programs and events: Winter Carnival Fun Swims Skate with Santa Winter Break Adventure Camp Horseback Riding Camp Extreme Gingerbread House Workshop
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Readers share their memories of seasons past
DREAMING OF TOY TRAINS My husband was born in 1939, just as the Second World War was starting in Germany. He grew up in wartime. After the war, his family of eight had little to spare for gifts at Christmas time. As a child, he was fascinated by trains — as trains were a common means of transportation and a significant train hub was located near his village. Every year, he wished for a train set from “Chriskind” on Christmas Eve. One year, his father made all six children a toy train set out of wood, but it wasn’t what he dreamed of — a train set of his very own. As an adult, the dream of a train set of his own was never far from his mind, but his focus was on raising his own family, and he never bought himself what he considered an extravagance. In the mid-1990s, the dream finally came true. After a beautiful traditional Christmas Eve with our extended family, where all the presents had already been opened, my daughters, small grandson and I remarked that there was still one gift to come! My grandson brought out a package just for my husband. Even before he opened it he asked: “Is this finally my train set?” He was so overcome with emotion, he could barely open the package. We still remember, to this day, how meaningful this was for him, to acknowledge his own sacrifices that he had made for his family, and for us to be able to make his dream come true. Since that day, more than 20 years ago, that train glides around the base of our tree every Christmas season as a reminder of the strength of dreams and love of family.
M
Ursula Willmann Victoria 22 Capital Christmas 2014
ILLUSTRATION: MARC FURNEY, TIMES COLONIST
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GIFTS IN AN ORPHAN’S STOCKING You got me thinking of my years spent in the orphanage, now the Cridge Centre. The most special thing to me was my Christmas stocking. We woke in the morning and there, miraculously, in the hallway was a clothesline. Hanging from it were stockings with our names on them. There was always a stuffy or small toy of some kind sticking out. My favourite was a little lamb. I loved it and still picture it today. On Christmas Day, each child got three gifts. One was almost always something you wanted. I still have my pajama doll to hide my jammies in. My favourite toy was my Tiny Tears doll, which was left behind when I left there. Oh, how I loved it. One year I got roller skates. That was a dream come true, something I never thought I would get. I still have a couple of invitations to Government House for a Christmas party for the children. On Christmas morning, we went downstairs to breakfast and there, in the dining room, was a Christmas tree. It seemed to me it reached up to the ceiling. We never knew where it came from. Presents were stacked all over. After breakfast, we would sit on chairs all lined up. The Shriners handed out the gifts, calling out our names and we would go forward to get them. I think our gifts came from the Shriners, the Chemainus ladies’ club and the Army Navy Club. Not real sure about this, but I have cards from people that belonged to these groups. I always wished as an adult there was a way to thank these people. I enjoyed sharing with you and thinking of the time past. God bless you and Merry Christmas.
Y
Arlene Holland
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24 Capital Christmas 2014
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Receive a free large popcorn when you purchase before Nov. 30. Popcorn voucher can be redeemed anytime during the year. Includes
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Holders for the entire 10 years the pass has been in existence except for the fact that it is such a great value. In addition to seeing every 45-minute film as often as they like, pass holders are also invited to opening events that include exciting speakers related to the film topic. They also receive discounted tickets for the Hollywood films as well as discounts for a host of other great offerings within the Museum complex. IMAX® Victoria truly is dedicated to offering pass holders a ticket to adventure – at great value.
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CHRISTMAS CHESNUT
The Christmas memory I treasure most from my childhood was singing carols with my younger sister as we decorated our Christmas tree. This was an annual tradition in our household that we looked forward to with such anticipation. The ornaments would emerge from their cozy little boxes, having been stored so carefully by our mother the previous year. Baubles that would look so plain today were beautiful reflections of past Christmases. As we found the perfect spot on the tree for each ornament, I would teach my sister the Christmas songs I was learning in school. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Silver Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Six White Boomers and the timeless carol Silent Night were favourites. When we had sung our full repertoire of songs, we would begin again. We would pause only to enjoy our mom’s wonderful shortbread cookies. After the ornaments and the fine strands of silver tinsel were hung, we placed candy canes on the branches and we were permitted to have one candy cane apiece. I was joyful and the world seemed perfect.
December 23. I’m in my kitchen in Vernon, preparing the filling for a tourtiere that was to be the centrepiece of our Christmas Eve dinner. The phone rings. Our social worker tells me there’s a baby ready for us in Victoria. PreChristmas pickup is a must. That night, we drive to the coast and board an early morning ferry to Victoria. Our seven-week-old baby has been temporarily housed in a home in Langford. We followed the social worker there. After a briefing on his feeding regime, we’re off to pick up formula and then on to my parents’ home on Lochside Drive in Sidney. We arrive early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, babe in arms. Almost all the family — my sister and two brothers with my parents — come to the door. I can still see my father’s whimsical smile as he absorbed the significance of the occasion. After a feeding, I took the baby into the bathroom and placed him on the long counter for a diaper change. Everyone crowded in with me. As soon as the little body was unwrapped, it created a wee water fountain, produced a poop and burped up formula. Again, an amused smile as my father commented: “Isn’t that nice. Everything works.” We named the baby Christopher.
Sharon Collier
Helen Chesnut
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O U R H E A RT S S A N G
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Sidney Festivities Start November 21st!
• Kick Off to Christmas Friday, Nov 21, 5pm to 8pm • Thursday Late Night Shopping Nov 27 to Dec 18 • Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Nov 22, 8:30am • Sidney Sparkles Parade & Lighted Boat Parade Saturday, Nov 29, 5pm • Festival of Trees, Nov 21 to Jan 4 • Christmas Grotto 2387 Beacon Ave Free Gift Wrapping & Pictures with Santa • Traditional Carol Singers Stroll the Town • Horse Drawn Carriage Tours And much, much more!
Visit the Events Calendar for More Details!
distinctlysidney.ca Capital Christmas 2014
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THE SPIRIT OF CANDY CANE LANE For 30 years, we loved being a part of Candy Cane Lane. We remember the many happy faces, both young and old, laughing at the little live elf with his elf juice swinging in the huge tree, telling the children that Santa was on his way. He always had candy canes for them. We are like kids. We love the spirit of Christmas. Everyone is so friendly and happy as people wish total strangers a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. The world would be such a joy if everyone kept the Christmas spirit all year long. On Boxing Day, we put up a sign in the display that read: “Now that Christmas has come and gone, may peace and joy carry on.� The other residents of Candy Cane Lane were also a big part of this annual event. Everyone decorated and we all helped each other. Everyone was in the Christmas spirit. Many adults thrilled to the sight as youngsters brought their own children to share the happy times. Every year, Santa and his helper in front of the very large Frosty the Snowman gave out more than 3,000 candy canes, along with free Happy Holly from our large holly tree. It was a great experience. We do miss all the happy faces, especially the children, and the genuine feeling of the Christmas spirit. It is so good to see so many people still carrying on the tradition of decorating during the Christmas season for the enjoyment of many. Thanks for the memories.
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John and Marilyn Bate Victoria
30 Capital Christmas 2014
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available in any denomination Select
THE CHRISTMAS OF 1956
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Although the pictures have faded, my memory of Christmas 1956 has not. After the war’s devastation, my three oldest brothers felt that Holland offered them little opportunity. They were determined to emigrate. My parents were equally determined to keep the family together and my father said: “If one
goes, we all go.” In May 1953, we arrived in Manitoba, chosen not because of my father’s trade as a shipwright, but because we had relatives there. Canada’s high unemployment rate scattered us anyway. Two brothers went to work in Ontario, one left for the West Coast and two sisters moved to Winnipeg. My father went from job to job in various Prairie cities and, when he could, rode the bus back to Roblin where my mother and the nine younger children stayed in the house that my father and my brothers had not quite finished building. Everything changed in 1956, when my father, prodded by the older boys, obtained work at Yarrows shipyard. Before we relocated, he rented a big house on Government Street and filled it with furniture bought at auction. He was at the dock to greet us when we arrived in Victoria in late June and we trailed behind him as we walked to our new home. At Christmas that year, we posed for pictures: The younger boys in their new cowboy togs of guns, holsters, hats and boots, and the girls in their new coats. Except for our oldest brother, who was away at sea, all of us gathered for our Christmas feast at the big oak table with the extension leaves and the kitchen table added on. The string of lights dangled colours overhead and the candles on the table glowed.
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CRACKING A WA L N U T When Christmas approaches ever closer, it stirs the memory of a childhood experience. On Christmas Eve, I hung my sock over the rail at the bottom of my bed, full of anticipation Santa would give me lots of nice things. Along with other children who slept in my dorm, the season of goodwill could not come soon enough. Bedtime at 6 p.m. Then we were awakened at 11 p.m. to attend midnight mass, said in Latin. After mass, sleepy children were anxious to get back to bed and slide between thin blankets. When awakened at 6 a.m., to attend a further mass, a girl’s first thought was to see what had been left in her sock. As the years progressed and the girls grew in age, they knew without fail there would be no surprise from one year to the next. We were to find one walnut, one orange so old that the skin crinkled. Tiny mouths to break the walnuts. Tiny fingers to peel an old orange. Ingenuity, passed over the years from one girl to the next, gave each the tenacity to crack the walnut. In pure pecking order, one girl held opened the dorm door wide enough for the owner of the walnut, with thumb and finger, to gently place it between hinges of the door. After she removed her thumb and finger, the girl holding the door gently closed it and crack, the walnut broke! Before the pieces of shell and nut fell to the floor, the owner of the walnut, with perfect timing, scrambled to the door holding out both hands to retrieve the pieces. Then enjoyed her reward. To have but one pleasure on Christmas morning: The excitement of hearing the sound of a cracking walnut!
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CHOIR CANDLES SHINE These little choir boy and girl candles (three inches high) have been in our family for more than 60 years. We love displaying them on our mantel every Christmas. My mother bought them in the early 1950s at Woodward’s department store. These candles were made by the Gurley Novelty Company of Buffalo, New York, as a way to use up surplus paraffin from the burgeoning oil-refinery industry. Although they were real candles with wicks, they were not marketed as practical candles — most people just used them for special holiday displays. The company’s label attached to the bottom of the candles reads: “Air currents and drafts can cause irregularly shaped novelty candles to drip. Place each candle on a plate while burning.” These mini candles were inexpensive, even by 1950 standards. They sold for 10 cents each, at Ben Franklin’s, Woolworths, and Macys in the U.S., and Woodward’s in Canada. Today, the Gurley Novelty candles are popular with collectors.
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Elizabeth (Day) Gibson Victoria
O R A N G E T R E AT I N 1 9 3 3 The year was 1933 and Christmas was looking quite bleak for our family. I was eight years old and living in Vancouver. My friend and I decided to play our mouth organs on Carrall Street for what we could get. I played two carols: Away in a Manger and Holy Night. I can’t play either one now. On the way home, I got off of the street car at Earls Road and went into a grocery store. I bought some oranges with the 53 cents that I had earned playing the carols. We had a Christmas tree at home which we had cut in the bush. The next morning, mother had wrapped the oranges in coloured paper. That was our Christmas present.
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Barney Baines Ladysmith 32 Capital Christmas 2014
Caroline Whitehead
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THOU LITTLE TINY CHILD I’ve lived through quite a few Christmases by now. The ones from my childhood are mostly a blur of glittering anticipation followed by a slightly queasy stomach. Like most children, no doubt, my sister and I used to eat all of the chocolate in our stockings before the sun was even up, and spent the rest of the day feeling a bit sick. But there is one Christmas that stands out from the rest. I’m told that my mother had to waken me, though I only vaguely remember this. I do remember standing on the threshold of our living room, taking in the magical scene before me. The tree lights were on and my family sat watching as I discovered with intense joy the doll, a small, old-fashioned perambulator and the box of home-sewn doll clothes. Words cannot describe the love I felt for that little lifeless thing. The year was 1965 and I was three and a half years old. It must have been a month later when my father sat me down to explain the facts to me. Holly (as I’d named her) was not a real baby. It was all right to set her aside now and then. She wouldn’t die of neglect or starvation if I didn’t hold her at all times. But it wasn’t until months later that I was willing to leave her alone. Not too long after my father’s words of wisdom, Holly’s head was completely shorn by my seven-year-old sister in her attempt at becoming a hair stylist. For the first time in my young life, I experienced the potent mixture of love and pathos. My beautiful, shining doll looked pitiful even to my eyes, but I loved her all the more for it. The way I felt that Christmas morning was not entirely different from the way I felt when my daughter was born 29 years later. Christmas had revisited me. Not the lights, the carols, not the snow. But the deep peace, the feeling that no matter what else happened in my life, I’d been given a tremendous, invaluable gift. The feeling that all is right with the world. The best Christmas present ever.
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A SEASON OF ENTERTAINMENT
The Civic Orchestra of Victoria
December 14 & 17 Tickets: www.civicorchestraofvictoria.org Info: 250-477-8868
The Night Before The Night Before
The Gift
Experience the Gift of Theatre
If you thought you knew Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, think again! Ballet Victoria puts an new spin on an old classic, placing a young Pandora as the central figure. Kids tickets as low as $15. Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.
Join Kaleidoscope on a magical adventure, celebrating 40 years as Vancouver Island’s resident professional theatre for families. Season tickets starting at only $30. kaleidoscope.bc.ca
Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra at Rockland Dec 23, 2014 7:30 p.m. Seasonal works for choir and brass www.capriccio.ca
Sun. Dec. 7, 2014 7 p.m. First Metropolitan United Church
Concert wil be followed by a traditional Wassail
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THERE’S ‘XMAS’ AND THEN THERE’S CHRISTMAS. CELEBRATE THE REAL ONE HERE.
At Craigdarroch Castle, Christmas is experienced through the lens of the Victorian era. See with your own eyes the magic of Christmas past and how we uniquely capture the true spirit of the season. Come for a visit, bring your guests, and don’t miss our program of Christmas events from performances of A Christmas Carol, to children’s stories, to live musical performances.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Featuring Jason Steven Starts December 4
LIVE SEASONAL MUSIC Starts December 6
CHILDREN’S STORIES Starts December 4
For full details visit www.thecastle.ca
1050 JOAN CRESCENT
250.592.5323
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ADD A TOUCH OF DAZZLE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON! 1
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Discover Victoria’s most beautiful boutique. Michal Negrin 1225 Government St. michalnegrin.ca 1. Long Swarovski crystal vintage inspired locket 2. Victorian Roses Shirt with Swarovski crystal accents 3. Timeless spark, icy green Swarovski Crystal hair clip
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Locally owned and Operated, Eye Etiquette in Millstream Village has the knowledgeable opticians you can trust! Call today 250-474-1941 Taking a holiday this season means you may need that perfect pair of Sunglasses for the trip! Carolin and her staff at Eye Etiquette are here to help. With name brands such as Jimmy Choo (as
3
Don’t let bad vision prevent you from enjoying the holidays. With a wide selection of brand name prescription eyewear and contact lenses, Carolin and her staff can set you up with an eye exam on site and then help you find the perfect glasses and frames that suit your budget. shown), Oakley, Maui Jim, Kate Spade and more you won’t be disappointed!
THE HOLIDAY SEASON COMES ALIVE AT THE BUTCHART GARDENS WITH
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION From Dec. 1 until Jan. 6 enjoy skating on the open air ice rink while tens of thousands of coloured lights combine with evergreen swags, wreaths of holly and winter berries to line the walkways and adorn the lampposts and greenery. Find the ever-popular Twelve Days of Christmas displays tucked about The Gardens. Sing along with traditional carollers, enjoy music by the Festive Brass. Children 12 and under are encouraged to bring a hand-crafted snowflake to The Coffee Shop in exchange for a complimentary hot chocolate. Kick-off the season’s best festive dining experience with The Magic of Christmas Dinner and Dance featuring the Chris Millington Band on Sat. Nov. 29. Enjoy an exclusive preview of the 12 Days of Christmas. Perfect office Christmas Party option! Beginning Dec. 1, special holiday menus are available in the elegant Dining Room Restaurant, or enjoy a more casual holiday dining experience at The Blue Poppy Restaurant. Admission to The Gardens is required. For more information including Christmas Day Dinner Reservations call : 250-652-8222.
Mark your calendar for Christmas at The Butchart Gardens! 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29: The Magic of Christmas Dinner and Dance featuring the Chris Millington Band. Everything you need for the perfect office Christmas party! 250-652-4422 x 320. 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1: Annual Light -Up Ceremony, when the switch will be thrown to light up The Gardens. Children of all ages can enjoy free rides on The Rose Carousel all day. Admission to The Gardens is required. 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7: Skate with The Victoria Royals on the outdoor ice rink. Meet the players, get autographs and skate with your favourite players! Admission to The Gardens is required.
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FEAST OF MEMORIES I am a third-generation Saanich resident, 93 years old. The Times and Colonist were in my family home as long a I can remember and the TC is still in mine. For what it’s worth, my grandparents were John and Jessie Irvine, immigrants to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1851. After a year working at Craigflower Farm, John was able to buy 300 acres of Gordon Head at one dollar per acre. Jessie named it Rose Bank Farm because of the abundance of pink wild roses growing there. Margaret, the youngest of six children, inherited this section of the property and after caring many years for her parents, had her own house built in 1913. Rose Bank Gardens retirement home now occupies that land. Her niece, my mother Irene Alice Laing, married my father, Charles Frederick Dawson from Birmingham, England, and they eventually moved in with “Granny Irvine” as she was known to the neighbourhood, As time went by, they raised four children — two boys and two girls of which I am the youngest. Birthdays and holidays were always special times and celebrated with family gatherings, including aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives. Granny’s birthday was Valentine’s Day and her birthday cake always included caraway seeds. She lived to be 90 years of age. How to describe our family Christmas morning? We must stay in bed, but were allowed to open our stockings, which had been pinned to the side of the bed clothes. Always a Japanese orange in the toe and nuts, with a Christmas cracker showing at the top of the sock. In the meantime, my father was downstairs preparing the tree. Then we were allowed to go down in order of our age, Granny, of course, being the last, and I the first. Obtaining the tree is another story. We walked over our fields to the “back 40” to choose the tree, which had to be perfect. It was never decorated before Christmas Eve. There were sounds of admiration in the morning as we beheld this vision of lighted candles all aglow with the reflection in the glass ornaments, tinsel and icicles. No plastic then. Breakfast had to come first, to the chagrin of the children, and then it was off to the tree. Dad played Santa Claus and was careful to find each of us, in turn, a present. Those from Santa were not wrapped, as though he had just taken them out of his pack and carefully placed them in the front of the tree. A great deal of merriment ensued and we were occupied until about one o’clock, when my mother called us to the dinner table. What a feast. No other turkey dinner has ever surpassed it. I have so many memories like this to keep me happy in my old age.
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Jean (Dawson) Levis Saanich
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B E S T H O L I D AY We gathered at a Mount Washington condo, each family arriving at different times throughout the day. Our older son and expectant daughter-in-law had flown in from England; our daughter and teenage grandson drove up from Victoria; and our younger son, from Nanaimo, soon arrived laden with snowboard gear and food. My husband and I arrived with a car loaded with extra cross-country skis and boots and snowshoes, as well as food. We would spend four snowy days on the mountain. Our condo was roomy and beautifully decorated for the season, complete with tree. Of course, the kids chose the best bedrooms, then realized that mom and dad should have the biggest bedroom with ensuite. They agreed to share a bathroom and argued over who would sleep on the bunk beds and who would get the queen-sized bed. Younger son would sleep on the couch, since he probably would stay up late watching movies. The four days were filled with early trips up to the lodge to see if the chairs were open before 8 a.m., lots of snow, night skiing and sledding and delicious meals. Snowboarding was the choice activity, but the snowshoes and cross-country skis were also used, especially by the expectant mom, who didn’t want to risk a fall. Even mom and dad went out for some exercise. On the fourth day it was time to clean the condo, pack the vehicles and make one more run on the slopes. We all agreed that it was the best holiday we had taken as a family. Little did we know that within the next six months we would lose two family members. It was truly the most memorable holiday for our family.
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Anne Gregg PHOTO: MOUNT WASHINGTON SKI RESORT
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HOT TIMES AT E M P R E S S Christmas Day started early in our household in the 1930s and ’40s. Our turkey dinner was served just before noon so my father, Richard Little, could leave to take part in the Yule log ceremony at The Empress hotel. He would arrive there about f4 p.m., to get his makeup done and put on his costume. As the Yule log was pulled into the baronial lobby by Richard and Jack Robertson, it was hailed with silver trumpets and song and music in the 16th-century English tradition. It was accompanied by a jester and an acrobat and choristers in Elizabethan dress. One year, the log must have been a little damp. While it did catch fire, it could only be called a subdued effort. The manager of the hotel was not happy. He told Richard next year that log had to burn briskly. So Richard took the log for the next year, bored three holes and filled them once a month with turpentine. The time came for the ceremony. Richard and Jack pulled the log, festooned with mistletoe, through the lobby. They dragged it into the fireplace. After speeches and toasts and proclamations and wassail songs, the mayor took the splinter saved from last year’s log and lit the new one. Whoosh! Up went the log. Crackle! Up went the cedar boughs lining the mantel. Clang! On went the fire alarm. Crash! In came the Victoria Fire Department. Margaret Parker
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Christmas Lights Across Canada dŚĞ ,ŽŶŽƵƌĂďůĞ >ŝŶĚĂ ZĞŝĚ͕ ^ƉĞĂŬĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ >ĞŐŝƐůĂƟǀĞ ƐƐĞŵďůLJ͕ ŝŶǀŝƚĞƐ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ůŝŐŚƟŶŐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽǀŝŶĐŝĂů Christmas tree and Parliament Buildings. Enjoy festive choral and band performances, traditional refreshments and unique items in our gift shop!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014 7:00 pm, Parliament Buildings
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TRADITION COMES TO AN END I have a tradition in my house that started 30 years ago. It started when my second son, Scott, was born with a visual impairment two months before Christmas 1984. He responded to bright lights and sounds, so I got the idea of transforming my basement into a winter wonderland. I hung strings of lights, had some musical and talking animation and added a Christmas tree. Scott and his older brother, Shawn, loved it. Scott’s reactions to the lights and sounds made the effort worthwhile, so I continued, adding more displays and lights and sounds every year. Today, every wall is wrapped in Christmas paper. There are more than 7,000 lights and there are many themed displays, which include Elvis, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz and my favourite, a 14-foot-long village with animation. My sons suggested seven years
I
40 Capital Christmas 2014
ago that we open it to the public to allow other people to enjoy it as much as they have while growing up. We did that, and the response was terrific. We opened the display every Saturday and Sunday in December for a donation to charity. We have raised more than $5,000 for various charities over those years, including the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, Santas Anonymous, Mustard Seed food bank, Camp Shawnigan, Single Parent Resource centre and Baby Molly. We even raised money for a vet who had sleep apnea and needed a machine to breathe at night. We had a new machine donated by Island Sleep Health Services, and six other machines were donated as well, which found their way into homes of people suffering from the same affliction. This is my 30th year decorating my basement, and the tradition will end this year. It has been a joy to create this and it has given me and my family some of our fondest memories. Coach Don
LET THERE BE LIGHT! In December 1955, we were expecting electric power but didn’t get it. I decorated the Christmas tree with electric lights anyway. On Dec. 24 we drove to church, where the children took part in their Christmas Eve program. When were arrived back home, from a distance we could see our entire house was lit up, including the electric lights on the tree. What a surprise Christmas gift! We finally had power.
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Helga Lambrecht
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JD Farms
Specialty Turkey No antibiotics or hormones added
Phyllo Wrapped Natural Pastures Comox Brie with Fig Preserves and Walnuts Ingredients 1 tbsp Butter 1 ⁄3 cup chopped Walnuts 3 sheets Phyllo Pastry (18x24 inch)
1 round of Comox Brie 1 ⁄3 cup Fig Preserves Assortment of sliced fruit Crackers
Method 1. Heat oven to 400°C. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. In 8 inch skillet melt 1 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Cook walnuts in butter, stirring frequently until golden brown. Remove from heat. 2. Place 1 sheet of phyllo pastry on cutting board and lightly brush with some of the melted butter. Place second sheet of phyllo on top. Place remaining sheet of phyllo crosswise over first 2 sheets and brush lightly with remaining butter. 3. Remove paper from cheese but leave rind on. Place cheese round on centre of phyllo sheets. Spoon fig preserves and walnuts over cheese. With both hands, lift phyllo stack toward centre and twist in centre to make bundle (sheets may tear a little). Brush with melted butter and place on the cookie sheet. 4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet on cooling rack for 15 minutes. Serve with sliced fresh fruit and crackers.
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HELEN CHESNUT • Garden columnist, Times Colonist
Festive plants for Christmas can last all year
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ringing greenery and flowering plants into the house at Christmas is a spirit-lifting tradition that reaches far back into history. Green and berried boughs in a dwelling during the darkest, coldest part of the year were symbols of faith that light and warmth, fresh growth, fertility and life would, at winter’s end, return to the land and nourish the family. In these times, we also long to enliven the dark, isolating world of winter. We string coloured lights indoors and out, and bask in the warmth of family, friends and Yuletide festivities. And we brighten our homes with lively holiday plants. Here are some to consider, with thoughts on how to care for them. Poinsettia. Of all the plants sold at Christmas, the red poinsettia remains the most traditional and popular, though poinsettias are available in white, cream, peach, pink, and colour combinations. The reds vary, from light and bright to dark and velvety. Among poinsettias, there is a plant size for every type of space, from miniatures for window sills to substantial specimens capable of making a splashy show in large areas.
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Today’s poinsettias stay colourful and perky throughout the winter, given a few simple conditions that include bright winter light, slightly cool, even room temperatures and watering when the soil feels dry and the pot feels light when lifted. Leaf drop can be avoided by maintaining an even soil moisture and placing the plant out of hot or cold drafts. Though it is common to opt for eventually composting poinsettias, the plants can be nurtured through to another season of Christmas colour. In late winter to early spring, look for fresh shoots along the stems. Prune back the stems, making each cut right above healthy new leaves. Then, re-pot into a slightly wider container. When nights are no longer chilly in the spring, set the plant outdoors in bright filtered light. Through early summer, pinch back shoot tips to induce bushiness. Bring the plant indoors in September, before overnight temperatures dip below what they would be inside the house. Long nights, with no artificial light between dusk and dawn, from the end of September onward (10 weeks of 10-hour days) will colour the bracts again for Christmas. Amaryllis. Rings of imposing, trumpet-shaped flowers displayed atop thick stalks make the amaryllis a dramatic plant to display alone, surrounded by Christmas greenery, or paired with a second amaryllis or paperwhite narcissus. As with the poinsettia, red is the most popular amaryllis colour during the holidays. Red and white amaryllis make an effective display together. After flowering is finished, remove the stalk at its base and continue watering to keep the foliage growing. A summer outdoors with regular watering and a little fertilizing will help to re-plump the bulb. Some amaryllis will begin to die down during the summer. Let the soil dry and store in a cool place until October. Then re-pot and start the bulb into growth again. Other amaryllis plants will continue producing lush foliage year round. You have the option of treating these like indoor-outdoor plants to bring indoors at summer’s end and put back out in the spring. Such plants will often yield summer flowers. Christmas cactus. These are long-life plants, often kept in families over decades. They are easily propagated by firming the base of a leaf pad into a small pot of soil mix. Position this forest cactus in bright light and coolish room temperatures. Keep the soil just slightly moist. After the plant finishes blooming, rest it by watering very little, just enough to keep it from shriveling. Early in the spring, resume regular watering and set the plant outdoors in filtered light for the summer. Begin reducing water around mid-August, to start hardening new growth in preparation for bud set. Dry conditions, cool nights and naturally shortening days all contribute to a good set of Christmas cactus flower buds.
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Capital Christmas 16 NOV 14
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he family owned Root Cellar Village Green Grocer has been open since 2008 during which time it has doubled in size and offerings. Sourcing everything with a local focus, they boast the city’s widest selection of local, organic and conventional produce. The Root Cellar now brings you the full service Chop Shop Meat Market, offering locally sourced meats, cheeses and deli items and The Potting Shed Garden Market, a boutique floral market and nursery. The Root Cellar works with over 100 Vancouver Island and B.C. farmers to source what you eat for dinner tonight. We hope you enjoy their efforts.
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Capital Christmas 16 NOV 14
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Peter Billingsley gives Santa his wish in A Christmas Story (1983); How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1967); Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in White Christmas (1954). MGM; CBS; PARAMOUNT
Top 10
Christmas movies BY MICHAEL D. REID
C
hristmas just wouldn’t be the same without watching those seasonal holiday movies and TV specials we can’t seem to get enough of, year after year. Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas has become as de rigueur as revisiting It’s a Wonderful Life. Although Frank Capra’s classic was made 68 years ago, the holiday magic permeating it never gets old. I’m nixing the naughty in favour of the nice (did you hear that, Bad Santa?) on a list of cinematic Capital Christmas bonbons worth checking out again this holiday season.
1 A Christmas Story (1983)
It’s hard to believe the late Bob Clark, the same guy who brought us Porky’s, directed Jean Shepherd’s droll, darkly nostalgic tale of a childhood Christmas remembered. They had me at the leg lamp.
2 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) Long before Randy Quaid claimed he was being chased by “star whackers” his scene-stealing antics as Cousin Eddie fuelled many of the yuk-yuks during clumsy Clark Griswold’s unforgettable Christmas celebrations in this John Hughes-scripted, slapstick-lathered Yuletide classic.
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3 Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Who can resist this classic tale of the bearded whitehaired senior (Edmund Gwenn) who claims he’s the real Kris Kringle after being hired to replace a drunken department store Santa Claus at Macy’s?
4 A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Vince Guaraldi’s jazz score is just one reason this animated gem with the Peanuts gang helping Charlie discover the true meaning of Christmas is a perennial favourite. A timeless, endearing charmer.
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5 White Christmas (1954) This nostalgic classic is irresistible and holds up on sentimental terms, thanks to all those Irving Berlin chestnuts showcased by Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and VeraEllen at a New England ski lodge.
6 Joyeux Noel (2006) Fact-based First World War drama set on Dec. 24, 1914, when French, British and German troops laid down arms long enough to share the joys of Christmas during a spontaneous truce is a celebration of humanity and heartfelt paean for peace.
7 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) Despite its underlying darkness and cozy conservatism that sparked caustic satirical sketches decades later, Frank Capra’s populist parable is still a wonderful Christmas classic.
8 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1967) Dr. Seuss classic improves with age. It’s highlighted by Boris Karloff’s deliciously malevolent voiceover for the adventures of the mean-spirited Grinch, who is “as cuddly as a cactus ... as charming as an eel.”
9 The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) You can’t go wrong with this witty classic in which Monty Wooley reprises his starring role in George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s Broadway hit as Sheridan Whiteside, the meddlesome and pompous radio commentator who disrupts an Ohio family’s Christmas holidays while recuperating from an injury during a lecture tour.
10 Home Alone (1990) The adventures of endearing Macaulay Culkin’s surprisingly resourceful kid accidentally left home alone while his family flies to Paris for Christmas. As if. Capital Christmas 2014
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Are you ready for a mini party?
3
appetizer recipes that will make your guests merry
Mini pissaladière: Small French-style pizzas topped with tomato, olives, pesto and goat cheese. PHOTOS BY ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST
C
ERIC AKIS • Food writer, Times Colonist
52 Capital Christmas 2014
hristmas party season is around the corner. If you are planning to host one, it’s time to decide what type of food to serve. Bite-sized appetizers and snack items are a popular choice. You can serve them anywhere. No need for dinner plates and seating for all. When I host a party with this type of food, the professional caterer in me kicks into gear. The first query is what kind of gathering will it be — an all-evening soirée or a shorter event where guests come for an hour or two after work? Once that’s determined, I can start planning the style and volume of food required. If it’s a shorter event where the food served is meant to be a snack before guests head home or out for dinner, I suggest offering four to six pieces of appetizers — canapés, mini savoury tarts, small skewers — per person. For an all-evening party where appetizers are served in place of dinner, I suggest serving a meal-sized amount of 10 to 12 pieces per person.
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Lamb kofta are mini Middle Eastern-style meatballs. Cooked on skewers, it’s easy to dunk them into the tasty sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.
That may seem like a lot, but many people are working hard during this time of year and are often ravenous when they arrive. So you want to make sure they loose that feeling, slow down and relax, particularly if alcohol is being served. Once I know how much to serve, I’ll begin to consider the other things that will help me decide exactly what to serve. Budget, of course, is one of them. If I have unlimited funds, I can serve whatever I like. But with limited spending, I’ll have to be more careful in what I select. Refrigerator and oven space are also key considerations. I must also determine how much time I can commit to food preparation, as that will affect my decision to help supplement what I can prepare myself with quality storebought items such as cheese, dips, sushi, paté and other charcuterie. I must also take into account that some of my guests may offer to bring an appetizer to the party. Once all of this has been settled, I’ll plan a menu and try to make sure it’s as balanced as possible and offers a range of foods that will offer something for everyone. To further assist you, I’ve cooked up three appetizer recipes to try that I’m sure will make your guests merry when you serve them.
54 Capital Christmas 2014
1
Lamb Kofta with Sweet and Sour Pomegranate Sauce Beautifully spiced mini Middle Eastern-style meatballs threaded on small skewers. You can make the raw kofta hours before needed, cover and refrigerate, and bake them when needed.
• Preparation time: 40 minutes • Cooking time: 20 to 25 minutes • Makes: 24 koftas For the sauce 3/4 cup pomegranate juice 3 Tbsp red currant jelly 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 1/2 tsp honey Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/3 cup beef stock mixed with 1 Tbsp cornstarch Place all ingredients, except stock/starch mixture, in a small pot. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. When the jelly is melted, pour in the stock/starch mixture. Return to a simmer and cook until lightly thickened, about two minutes, and the sauce is ready. If desired, you could make the sauce
hours in advance, cool it to room temperature, cover and refrigerate until needed. When you do need it, simply reheat and serve with the koftas.
For the kofta 1 lb. ground lamb 2 green onions, thinly sliced, and then minced 1 large garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp finely grated orange zest 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 1/3 cup dried breadcrumbs 1 large egg 24 small wooden skewers Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all ingredients, except skewers, in a bowl. Moisten your hands lightly with cold water, and then roll the meat mixture into 24 small oblong balls. Thread a ball on the end of each skewer; gently squeezing the meat to ensure it adheres to it. Set the skewers on the baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Arrange the kofta on a serving platter with a bowl of the sauce for dipping.
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This deluxe appetizer is made by topping tender, savoury and easy-tomake little pancakes with crème fraîche, smoked salmon, shrimp and dill.
Smoked Salmon and Shrimp on Mini Lemon Dill Pancakes
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These elegant bites are made by setting shrimp and silky, cold smoked salmon (sometimes called lox) on tender pancakes topped with crème fraiche.
For pancakes: 3/4 cup flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt Pinch ground white pepper 3/4 cup milk 1 large egg 1 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest 2 tsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill Vegetable oil spray Place the first four ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Place the remaining ingredients, except oil spray, in a second bowl and mix well to combine. Add the dry mixture to wet and mix until just combined.
Place a large non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Spray the cooking surface with vegetable oil spray. Working in batches, pour on two-inch round portions of the batter. Flip the pancakes once they begin to bubble a bit on top. Cook one to two minutes on the other side. Transfer the pancakes to a baking sheet. Keep cooking pancakes until the batter is used up. Cool pancakes to room temperature, cover and set-aside until ready to top. Pancakes can be made many hours before needed.
For the topping: 12 thin slices cold smoked salmon, each halved widthwise 1/3 cup crème fraîche or sour cream (see Note) 24 small salad shrimp 24 tiny fresh dill sprigs Arrange the pancakes on a serving platter. Top each pancake with half teaspoon or so of the crème fraîche (or sour cream). Arrange a half slice of smoked salmon on each pancake. Set a shrimp and a small dill sprig on each pancake and they are ready to enjoy. Note: Crème fraîche is sold in tubs in the dairy case of some supermarkets. I used Liberté brand.
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3
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Mini Pissaladière These appetizing, French-style mini pizzas are made by topping small squares of puff pastry with olives, goat cheese, cherry tomato and pesto.
Preparation time: 35 minutes, plus chilling time Cooking time: 16 to 18 minutes, per sheet Makes: 40 pissaladière 1 (397-gram) pkg. puff pastry, thawed and cut widthwise in half (see Note) 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought pesto 40 slices cherry tomato (about 10 tomatoes) 40 pitted black olives, each halved 100 grams soft goat cheese, crumbled Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set a half piece of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 10x10-inch square. Now cut the square into 20 small, 2x2inch squares. Set the squares on one of the baking sheets, spacing each about 1-inch apart. Roll out and cut the second piece of puff pastry into squares as you did the first and set them on the second baking sheet. Spread the top of each square of puff pastry with 1/2 tsp of the pesto, leaving an 1/8-inch border of clean pastry. Top each square with a cherry tomato slice, two half black olives, and a little crumbled goat cheese. Season each square with a little salt and pepper, and then refrigerate 20 minutes to firm up the pastry before baking. (The mini pissaladière can be made to this point a few hours before needed; keep them refrigerated until ready to bake.) Preheat the oven to 400 F. Bake the mini pissaladière, one sheet at a time, for minutes 16 to 18, until puffed and golden. Serve warm or at room temperature. If desired, drizzle each pissaladière with a little olive oil before enjoying. Note: Puff pastry is sold in the freezer section of most supermarkets. I used Tenderflake brand. • Eric Akis is the author of the hardcover book Everyone Can Cook Everything. His columns appear in the Times Colonist Life section Wednesday and Sunday. His email address is eakis@timescolonist.com
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Capital Christmas 2014
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Interior stylist Toni Schefer decorates a simple, bare-branch tree with colourful birds — synchronizing a design with the home’s architecture. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
BY PEDRO ARRAIS
Deck the halls — and the rest of your home 58 Capital Christmas 2014
D
ecorating a home for Christmas is a rich holiday tradition and speaks volumes for the homeowner entertaining friends and family. While traditional Christmas trees, wreaths and boughs of holly will never go out of style, local designers say homeowners are increasingly looking for inspiration and guidance on how to deck their homes in new, creative ways.
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✓ Set the Scene By all means, deck your halls with boughs of holly, says Lana Lounsbury, principal designer of a company that bears her name. But do so with a mind of carrying the theme throughout the house. “Keep the scene, style or colour consistent,” said Lounsbury, a registered interior designer. “You can carry the theme with a bit of variety with the tree, wreath and materials.” When done properly, a theme can pull together different elements in a room, making it feel more personal. And keep clutter to a minimum. Often, all it takes to tie elements is colour. People can play on colour, swapping classic red for white or gold. When using white as the base, introduce almost any other colour as a punch. Think beyond the mantle and tree. Other areas of the house can sparkle with seasonal embellishments. Adorn hallway coat hooks with winterthemed items or hang baubles from bookshelves and doorways.
✓ Consider scale and proportion One of the elements of interior design is the proportion of elements in relation to other items in the room. Throw out that concept when decorating for the holidays, says Lounsbury. “Oversize everything. Go way bigger each and every time.” She says going over the top when it comes to decorations forces people to take notice. “People just can’t help themselves to look.” She uses the same advice when it comes to the amount of material. “Don’t just lay a wreath on top of the fireplace mantle. Get some more material so that the wreaths cascade down both sides as well.”
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✓ Look of simplicity Not everybody subscribes to an intense assault to the senses. While Cas Fuller used to put up a traditional Christmas tree with all the trimmings when she lived in Prince George, everything changed when she bought a mid-century house in Victoria designed by famed architect John Di Castri. “I found myself drawn to creating a setting more in keeping with the house,” said Fuller, who retired to Victoria nine years ago. Instead of a cut tree, she forages for branches that have fallen from trees. She anchors them in pots filled with river rock and uses her own decorations. She adds colourful birds with long tails “because they look dramatic.” “Cutting a tree down every year seems like such a waste,” Fuller says. “Now I never have to water and I can switch it up anytime I want.” While she likes to leave the branches natural, Fuller has seen people spray paint the branches silver or gold to match the style or theme of a house.
✓ Don’t forget the other senses Along with strong visual cues, other essential elements in creating a style include the introduction of textures and scents to the mix. “Smells are very much a part of the holidays,” says Lounsbury. “Be it baking gingerbread or the smell of a tree, the scent is part of the experience.” While it may be impractical to bake a batch of cookies daily, the scent of warm gingerbread in the air would be one of the most welcoming aromas for guests as they enter a house. Lounsbury prefers subtle natural scents over the artificial sprays available. Good choices for welcoming guests include thyme or orange slices. People can also use essential oils placed on ceramic holders and activated by the heat of a bulb or candle. Oils associated with the holidays include juniper and peppermint. People can also create their own by diluting the oils and mixing it in a spray bottle. Beeswax candles can add a warm, flickering glow and a soothing scent. Along with the smell of the wood burning on an open fire, both can signal the end of the night, a time to reflect on Christmases past or the one yet to come.
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What’s a shopper to do? We have some gift ideas Shoppers scramble for bargains during the Christmas season. It can be overwhelming. Check our gift ideas for everyone from a teen son to your boss (male or female).
B Y R I C H A R D W AT T S
C PHOTO: STUART DAVIS, VANCOUVER SUN
hristmas shopping so often gets turned into a chore, one of those duties like cleaning out the basement or washing the car. But, really, it can be pleasant — even fun — if you use the time to think of the people you know and love. Imagine the smiles, laughs or tears you will bring to their faces and enjoy the hunt as you browse the shops and wander the aisles. If it’s still all too stressful, buy the first thing that comes to hand, keep the receipt and let your loved one return it at a later time.
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GIFT IDEAS
Husband
Wife A visit to a spa can blend holiday extravagance with a just the right touch of intimacy. Greater Victoria has dozens of spas, offering everything from facial treatments and massages to seaweed wraps and the gentle pressure of warm stones. It’s a gift about relaxation. Karley Reynolds, spa manger at Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humboldt St., said too few of us indulge ourselves in a few hours of professional pampering. “We are always so busy,” says Reynolds. “A spa visit means you are taking [or giving] some wellness time to heal and relax.”
Many men truly love tools, especially the powered variety. Jes Smith, sales manager of hardware at Capital Iron, says for the young man, perhaps living in his first home, a drill or a sander is a good place to start. For the experienced handyman, get something that looks intriguing. Don’t worry about what it actually does. “You don’t really go wrong with tools,” says Smith.
Teen son Dealing with teens is tricky, so whatever you choose, it may still be “uncool.” Short of handing over money, a video game is a good idea. You may still get an eye roll. But at least you can feel like you’ve exercised some parental responsibilities making sure there is some taste your gift of on-screen action. Cam North, assistant manager of EB Games at The Bay Centre, says his company is well aware of the pitfalls and happy to help parents. “We pride ourselves in letting parents know what they are actually buying rather than what their kids might have told them are buying,” says North.
Teen daughter The glitter of gold, silver and gemstones can be especially appropriate. Pendants, necklaces, rings, charms and other items all strike chords — and within reasonable price ranges. Mark Gervan of Lugaro in Mayfair Shopping Centre said the beauty of jewelry as a gift is the memory attached.
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Dad Since we are Canadians, we’ll suggest a bottle of Alberta Premium rye whisky. It’s one of the few Canadian whiskies actually made with rye wheat. Others use corn. The Prairie provinces are proud growers of the finest wheat in the world, including rye. As Canadians, that’s worth a holiday cheer. Marlissa Hollands of the B.C. Liquor Signature Store, 1960 Foul Bay Rd., says Canadian rye wheat is exported to the U.S. to make expensive rye whisky. But a 270-millilitre bottle of Alberta Premium still retails for a very sensible, very Canadian, $23.75.
Mom Some of the best gifts are experiences. Passes to Butchart Gardens are a treat, especially when you throw in a meal at the fine restaurants and eateries. Tickets to the Imax theatre at the Royal B.C. Museum are great for the ‘wow’ factor. And if you have a mom who’s game, two tickets to the Victoria Royals or Victoria Grizzlies could be a evening out.
Brother Try cuff links with a fun design, funky-coloured socks, whisky glasses, fancy shaving gear, high-end nail clippers, even fountain pens. The beauty of accessory items is that all offer the chance to express whatever emotion you’re feeling. For humour, think wild socks. Jim Cassels, owner of Simply the Best, 1008 Broad St., says even a pen carries a nice message. “It also says something about a person’s intelligence.”
Boss (female) Dark chocolate is perfect for striking the balance of warm wishes without stepping over any respectful boundaries. It’s sweet, but with a bitterness that stops it from being too cozy. David Booth, owner of Terrible Truffles, makes a dark-chocolate truffle called the Aztec with a hint of pepper corn and chili. He also suggests that if you are really concerned about the impression you are making (and you should be, this is your boss after all), give them a variety pack. “It’s the safest best,” he says from Humboldt House, the bed and breakfast at 867 Humboldt St., where he operates Terrible Truffles. 66 Capital Christmas 2014
Sister Artisan soaps can brighten anyone’s day. Lush Manufacturing Ltd., 1003 Government St., offers 14 soap styles, all with different properties to suit a lifestyle. The variety is amazing — from a moisturizing lather for chapped hands to a bar that brightens skin tones.
Boss (male) Go too big, you look like a suck-up. Too small, they’re an afterthought. A cigar could be the great equalizer. It’s friendly, yet respectful. And with prices ranging from under $10 to about $40, the price is right. “It’s a very affordable luxury,” says Luigi Silletta, owner of Goodfellas Cigar Shop, 4291 Glanford Ave. and 1-1441 Store St. “And for a lot of people, a premium cigar is something they would never buy for themselves. It’s a treat.”
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Paper carrier If you’re a Times Colonist subscriber, a card or a tip for your carrier are nice gestures for those early mornings, often in the rain.
Teacher
Tree chippers There are dozens of organizations whose volunteers collect and chip Christmas trees. From Scouts Canada to Kiwanis, they set up around our communities to grind our trees into materials such as garden mulch. For many groups, it’s their biggest fund-raiser of the year, so be generous.
It’s traditional for teachers to get apples from students, but a basket of fresh fruit to take home for the holidays could go a long way. Bryn Gran of the Red Barn Market says mandarin oranges are always hit and it’s a good time for B.C. apples, with the fall crop of spartans, galas, sunrise and Granny Smiths.
Your garbage collectors It’s the season to produce plenty of household waste. So spare a thought for your trash collectors. Keep an eye to see how many work in the crew and leave something out — a card, gift certificates, chocolates, whatever.
Kettles The Christmas Kettle Drive is a huge fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Hundreds need a clean bed and warm meal from the Sally Ann, so drop your coins and stuff your bills in their kettles and do it often.
Our fund God bless us, everyone It’s the time of year when many of us will connect with churches and other groups and agencies. Christmas is a great time to help continue their missions. So pick one, or more, and offer what you can.
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Please don’t forget the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, a holiday tradition since 1956. Money we raise helps ensure that those less fortunate can have a better Christmas.
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FA S H I O N
Have fun, be daring with style this season
Give the Gift of Safe Driving This Holiday Season!
STORY BY SARAH PETRESCU PHOTOS BY DARREN STONE oliday party season is close and no one wants to appear in the office or family selfie as the Ghost of Christmas past. So, if you’re the guy who has busted out the same festive sweater since the invention of sliced bread, or the gal who buys three new daring dresses only to wear your reliable black shift every year, here are some tips from local style experts to stay on trend and in your comfort zone. “Lots of texture and embellishments are popular right now,� said Claudia Knoglinger, from Bernstein and Gold boutique on Yates Street. Her clientele leans toward women over 35, professional, with a keen fashion sense and appreciation for quality garments. Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, Nicole Miller and Ted Baker are some of their most popular labels. “The modern cut is a higher neck and hemlines are longer, knee or midlength,� said Knoglinger, adding women in Victoria appreciate cocktail dresses with sleeves. “It suits the weather here. You don’t need a jacket.�
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Model Lia Crowe wears a Ted Baker floral cocktail dress, Milly studded tights and Elizabeth and James bangle and ring from Bernstein and Gold boutique (608 Yates Street). Hair by Leah Meens. Photography at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Caitlin Ing is a stylist at Mayfair Shopping Centre, which offers a fashion coaching service for shoppers. “Typically, we see a lot of women 45plus who want to look on-trend, but still age-appropriate for holiday parties,” said Ing. “It’s a time of year when you can have fun and be a bit more daring with your style. So go for it.” Ing said women can update their look with faux fur, sparkled shoes, purses and accessories. She noted animal prints are still hot. “For men, little things like matching fun socks to your tie can update a look. Every man needs a good blazer and wool is popular,” said Ing, noting slim-fitted tops and pants are a trendier look for men. “But the classic look will always be a wide leg and that’s fine, too.” Men can incorporate textures and animal prints on ties and accessories. Victorians love to mix a bit of eclectic counter-culture into their style, hitting the vintage shops and local designers for seasonal trends. “Everyone’s coming in wanting plaid. Merino wool and fur are also in high demand,” said Ashley Tait, from Mavens Vintage Apparel on Herald Street. “Closer to Christmas and New Year’s, people get more formal. The Gatsby flapper look has been popular.” Many local designers who don’t have storefronts take part in holiday fairs this time of year. Other businesses, such as the Makehouse on Fort Street, offer do-it-yourself workshops for cardigans and boxers for men and fascinators and French knickers for women. Designer Laura Beamister said she started her line, Muse Clothing, six years ago to offer quality and comfortable classic dresses. Providing locally-designed and made clothing has been a bonus. “The style of the garment comes first but the fact something is made and designed here is special to people,” said Beamister, who offers 20 dress styles in 16 gem tones made-to-order. Capital Christmas 2014
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Model Alessandra Casanova descends a staircase at the Fairmont Empress Hotel wearing a vintage plaid highwaisted maxi skirt and cashmere blend black turtleneck and accessories from Maven’s Vintage Apparel (532 Herald Street).
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On her: Model Carly Blanchard wears an RW & Co dress and bracelet, Le Chateau clutch, heels, bracelet and ring, and Banana Republic earrings from Mayfair Shopping Centre. On him: Model Scott Murphy wears a Banana Republic blazer and socks, RW & Co shirt and pants, Le Chateau tie, Watch It watch and Aldo shoes from Mayfair Shopping Centre. Make-up on both models by Dakota Dekur and Whitney Irvine at Sephora.
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JACK KNOX • Columnist, Times Colonist
O Christmas tree, with a Victoria twist
V
ictoria isn’t great at the traditional Canadian Christmas. We don’t go for sleigh rides. We don’t toboggan. We don’t go carolling in the snow. If we skate outside, it’s on a rink that has more to with chemical engineering than climate. Our front yard Frosty doesn’t melt, he deflates. There’s a 5050 chance your Christmas “turkey” is actually moulded tofu. We might dream of a white Christmas, but if we do we call it a nightmare — though happily for the typical Victorian, the capital is more likely to feel an earthquake in the next 12 months than it is to see snow on Dec. 25. We have endured a Yuletide dusting just five times in the past 68 years, triggering the kind of response that other communities reserve for anthrax attacks. We do enjoy traditional holiday stories, the kind that families drag out year after year, though in our version of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas Santa gets in a quick nine holes at Olympic View. In my house, we like to tell — or aren’t allowed to forget — a story frequent readers might recognize as the 76 Capital Christmas 2014
Tale Of The Christmas Tree, a.k.a. the Victoria Chainsaw Massacre. It began in the Christmas tree lot. In the rest of Canada, shopping for trees is like buying a Kinder Surprise. They come as treesicles: frozen, trussed up, their branches lashed tightly to the trunk so that you never know what you’re getting until, once thawed in your living room, they open like a flower — usually revealing a Charlie Brown Special with more lost limbs than a sword fight. Not here. In Victoria, your conifer comes with its branches fully spread, which as a newcomer I thought was awesome — until, with a face full of spruce needles, I tried to blindly wrestle it into the house. “Careful,” she said, helpfully, as I swept pictures from the walls, scattering small children and causing slow pets to squeal. “Language,” she added, helpfully, as I barked my shins on the coffee table. “Where am I going?” I snapped, pleasantly, while randomly stabbing at the floor in search of the tree stand. This is when we went into our Abbott and Costello Who’s on First routine. “To the right.” “Whose right?” “My right.” “How do I know where your right is? I can’t see anything!” “Don’t yell at me.” “I’M NOT YELLING!” “Just follow my voice,” she said sweetly, opening the door to the basement stairs. It was at this point that something small and furry ran out of the tree and down my leg. When I did find the stand — a rickety device resembling something left over from a car accident — it turned out the tree’s butt was too big. So I started whacking away at the base with an axe until it was suggested that this wasn’t a job best done in the living room. Whatever. I dragged the tree onto the lawn, chopped some more, then dragged it back in. Still wouldn’t fit. I hauled the tree out again, chopped, yarded it back. Still no good. Repeated the process four, five times until she said: “Why don’t you just bring the stand outside, too?” I wish I were making this up. By this time, the tree was naked as Les Leyne at the TC Christmas party. Me, I had a striking resemblance to Jack Nicholson in The Shining. We did eventually get the tree vertical, but only by buying a new stand whose size, stability and price equalled that of the Mars Rover. We drag it out every season, triggering memories that leave a warm, mellow feeling, at least until the Prozac/eggnog wears off. But that’s OK, for what is Christmas without tradition?
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