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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019
timescolonist.com | TIMES COLONIST
Let the Festivities Begin! BY KELLY DARWIN, WESTSHORE CHAMBER turned on the radio the morning of Nov. 1 and heard my first Christmas song of the year, so I guess it must be true — winter is on the way! One of the things I love most about the WestShore during the holiday season is it resembles the towns you see in Christmas movies — shopping centres festively decorated and shoppers scurrying about, twinkling Christmas lights, displays on the main streets and music in the air where ever you go. Children bundled up with rosy cheeks, sipping hot chocolate while skating around on ice rinks while they watch the Truck Light parade go by ... can you smell the gingerbread? We may just be a 15-minute drive from Downtown, but when you head to the Westshore, you’ll enter a world full of smiling faces, a leisurely pace and oodles of good family fun, food and shopping.
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If you are looking for some less commercial options this year, we have you covered. Nov. 16 marks the 33rd Annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Church of the Advent, as well as the Metchosin Hall Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair which has been running for over 25 years. Sunday, Nov. 17, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #91 will hold their Christmas Craft Fair and Tea — this is always a very festive event. This year, the Westshore will have a Skate with Santa at Westhills Arena. And the City of Langford will host their annual Christmas Light Up Trolley Tours. Admission is by the
THE CITY OF LANGFORD WILL HOST THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP TROLLEY TOURS. — TC FILE PHOTO.
donation of a non-perishable food item or cash, with all proceeds going to the Food Bank. There are two tours nightly, and each is approximately 45 minutes long. The Westshore Chamber of Commerce will host the Holiday at Hatley Castle. This has become one of the hottest holiday ticket events in Greater Victoria. What can be more festive than dawning your holiday best, taking in some holiday cheer, music and food in the decked halls of the historic Hatley Castle? With shopping centres such as Westshore Town Centre with ample free parking, numerous streets of Christmas lights, and the Lighted Truck Parade, the Westshore is the place to plan for a day of holiday shopping, exploring and enjoying the very best of what the season has to offer. You and your family and friends are cordially invited to experience the holiday season in the Westshore. We hope you will join us! westshore.bc.ca
Forging bonds through healthy living gifts f you have ever found yourself spending hours looking for the perfect gift, only to end up with something less than perfect, then you are not alone. Even when you find the perfect gift, it turns out that you may have been spending your time and focus in the wrong place, according to new research. A recent study co-authored out of the University of Toronto Scarborough’s Department of Management and UCLA Anderson School of Management highlights that by shifting to experience-based gifts, there is a stronger relationship building benefit when it comes to gift-giving. The anticipation of a future experience generates immediate emotions that last through to the experience itself, and more importantly, they create a lasting bond between the giver and the recipient, especially if it is a shared experience. This means that if you shift your holiday shopping toward giving a shared experience, you can create a greater emotional connection. When it comes to selecting the right experience to give, try to imagine what the recipient has always wanted to do. When in doubt, healthy living experiences are an easy win because health focused gifts elicit positive emotions that are associated with self-improvement. The flip side is that committing to healthy living can be intimidating, and this is why the shared experience component is crucial. Taking on a new adventure is easier with a partner or with family. Finding something that you can do together that has an element of fun or reward is best — for example, if you are committing to a workout plan, then having a relaxing hot-tub or fun family swim planned as part of the experience is always best. Finally, when considering giving experiences, make sure they are convenient. Giving an experience that can only be
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used at a specific date, time or place can cause additional stress. Giving something like a punch card that can be used whenever its convenient takes the pressure off and lets the recipient choose when and where it would be most convenient to use. At the North Langford Recreation Centre, we have
options for any gift that allow for flexible and easy use of the facilities. With all new equipment, ladies only and co-ed gyms, heated pool and group fitness classes — this is great gift option for any person on your list. bearmountain.ca/recreation/fitness
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11, 6 TO 9 P.M.
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“Be Inspired - Experience Your Passion” - Art Classes, Gallery Exhibitions & Artisan Gift Shop
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ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY 2005 SOOKE RD. he Westshore Chamber of Commerce will host this annual holiday party. Holiday at Hatley’s returns to Royal Roads University. The annual winter celebration is an opportunity to network and have fun while enjoying live music, gourmet appetizers and desserts by Truffles Catering, a charity “gift giveaway,” silent auction, casino games and more.
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Let the holiday spirit surround you as you celebrate “Edwardian”style at Hatley Castle. Warm up by the crackling fire with colleagues and friends while the festive cuisine to inspire your senses, creating an evening to remember. Tickets are now available. Part of the event will be a silent auction and gift giveaway. If you have anything you’d like to donate for either of these, get in touch with Alysha at: events@westshore.bc.ca. westshore.bc.ca/events
COAST COLLECTIVE GALLERY AND ART CENTRE
Gifts & Wishes 12th Annual Exhibition Creative Works and Gifts by South Island Artists Come Be Inspired! oast Collective Art Centre will showcase regional artists, artisans and makers in their 12th annual Gifts & Wishes exhibition. The five-week juried holiday exhibition is the one of the longest running shows of its kind in Victoria. Explore a wide variety of media produced by over 40 local artists in the relaxing gallery atmosphere, Nov. 20 to Dec. 22, with live Celtic harp music featured on Nov. 20 and Dec. 14, and throughout the month of December. Meet the Artists Reception: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1 to 4 p.m. The “Gifts & Wishes”holiday show is the perfect place to find unique and beautiful gifts. Coast Collective also offers gift certificates. Check out their exciting 2020 classes and workshops and give the gift of learning this holiday season.
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NEW: Monday Night Drop-in Life Drawing Get together with a fun, focused group of fellow artists and draw a live model. Life drawing sessions are held on Monday nights, from 7 to 9 p.m., except holidays. Drop-in fee includes model and gst. All levels welcome, but you must be 18+ years.
NEW: Comics Foundations for Kids Nov. 18 to Dec. 9, and Jan. 13 to Feb. 17, 2020 Mondays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Learn the basics of storytelling with creative drawing and comic classes. Students start by creating short comic strips and may progress to longer stories. Classes/Gallery Exhibition/Artisan Gift Shop Coast Collective, 103-318 Wale Rd. Phone: 250-391-5522. coastcollective.ca