Christmas is coming,
the Blokes are getting fat
please do put some money
in the food bank’s hat
if you haven’t got some money,
a food donation will do
if you haven’t got a food donation
than God bless you!

It’s not the exact lyrics to “Christmas Is Coming,” an American Christmas carol, but I thought I would give it a West Coast Canadian twist instead. The holidays are fast approaching (although some may dread it), but do keep in mind that the holidays shouldn’t be about commercialism. What truly matters is to spend this time of year with your family, your friends, and to have enough food on the table to share it with them.

If you believe in exchanging gifts, I would say keeping it simple is the best way to go about it. Avoid maxing out your credit card, pay cash for simple gifts. And if you can’t afford something, then price isn’t the be all and end all, it is the thought that counts. When buying a gift, I try to make my purchases at locally owned shops. This means buying from an independent store and not from a corporate owned or franchise. Doing so ensures your money stays on the West Coast rather than being sent to a company in a Eastern capital city or the United States.

And I don’t forget those who are not as fortunate. Donating food, clothing/blankets or new toys to those individuals and families who are struggling will help to make their holidays bright. Donating these items to food banks are the best way to go about it. If you are unable to donate such things, then volunteering a little of your time to charitable services is an equal gift.

When I was young and my family struggled to get through the winter one year, someone with a kind heart marked my family’s name down for a Christmas hamper. It had such an profound effect. I remember I received the best warpped Christmas gift I had ever had as a child, it was a Rupert Annual book. My eyes lit up as I opened the present and I cherished that gift for many years after.

But now as an adult who is more stable financially, I give back to others and not just with monetary donations. I find that being kind to others and volunteering my time is something I can do year-round and not just during the holiday season. And I realize that tomorrow things for me could change. If that happens, a little human kindness and generosity goes a long way.

Note: This holiday schedule will continue to grow. Please keep an eye on this article for further events. If you have any events to bring to our attention, please contact us at twohungryblokes dot gmail dot com.

Ladysmith Festival of Lights

First Ave.
Ladysmith
November 27th – January 4th

If there is any place on Vancouver Island that is beautiful to behold and fills you with the Christmas spirit it is the town of Ladysmith. The Festiva of Lights starts on the last Thursday of November and ends on the first Sunday of January. During this time you can marvel at the sight. But it is the first day, the light up, that holds many grand events. This year will see the Kinsmen Light Up Parade, Christmas Craft Fair, Community Spaghetti Dinner, and entertainment for one and all.

 

Holiday Drive-In Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Archie Browning Sports Centre, back parking lot
1151 Esquimalt Rd.
Esquimalt
November 28th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Take a trip back in time with a classic drive-in movie. The film presented is Tim Burton’s family classic The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) with the voices of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, and Greg Proops. This film is rated PG in Canada, USA, and the UK.

Admission to the event is free. Concessions are available and donations will be collected for the local food banks.

 

Oak Bay Beach Hotel: It’s Christmas – Dinner Theatre

David Foster Foundation Theatre
Oak Bay
November 28th – December 26th, pre-dinner reception: 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm

Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s holiday revue returns to the David Foster Foundation Theatre with songs and stories of the holiday season. The revue is produced and directed by Matthew Howe and features a cast of exceptional performers.

Enjoy the show over a three-course dinner with the menu created by the hotel’s Executive Chef. Tickets are $89 per person

 

Esquimalt’s LIVE Christmas Tree Village

Esquimalt Recreation Centre
527 Fraser Street
Esquimalt
December 1st – 31st, 5:30 am – 10:30 pm

Esquimalt’s Recreation Centre will be trabsformed into a LIVE Christmas Treet Village. Limited trees will be available for not-for-profit societies and businesses to decorate. For more information on how to decorate a tree click on this link.

 

Victoria Children’s Choir: Music for Midwinter

Christ Church Cathedral
930 Burdett Ave.
Victoria
December 1st, 7 pm – 8:30 pm

Enjoy the Victoria Children’s Choir’s annual concert as sixty young voices are joined by the Victoria Baroque Players and the St. Christopher Singers for an evening of familiar and new medieval songs, English and Celtic carols, and winter music of Scandinavian, Bulgarian and North American origin.

Proceeds of the concert support the delivery of advanced youth education in choral singing and music.

 

St. Michael’s University School’s Annual Christmas Concert

Christ Church Cathedral
930 Burdett Ave.
Victoria
December 3rd, 7 pm – 8:30 pm

St. Michael’s University will be hosted in their annual concert by the historic Christ Church Cathedral. Listen as the carols are performed in an acoustically pleasing enviroment.

 

University of Victoria Choirs: Heralding the Season!

Christ Church Cathedral
930 Burdett Ave.
Victoria
December 5th, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Adam Con, Garry Froese, and Susan Young will conduct a total of two hundred voices of the UVic Chorus, Chamber Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Philomela Women’s Choir as they sing carols to the accompiment of organ and brass.

Admission is by donation. Proceeds will go to Our Place the Christ Church Cathedral Choral Scholars program.