Spirit of Christmas

from Issue 68 | Family Times Christchurch | Summer 2012

Which gaming console?

Christmas is a time for families to share the special traditions of the festive season. Leave a gift under a wishing tree, visit Santa in his grotto or drive around the wonderful Christmas light displays and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

★ Ballantynes’ Christmas windows

The mystery and delight of Ballantynes’ Christmas window displays continue this year with the unveiling on 23 November at 4pm. Santa takes up residence in his magical grotto on the lower ground floor from this date also.

★ Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

New Zealand’s biggest free outdoor Christmas concert. Live performances from local and upcoming talent as well as special guests. Bring along a picnic tea, rug and your best singing voice. On 24 November from 7.30pm, North Hagley Park. Visit www.christmasinthepark.co.nz.

★ Christchurch Santa Parade Watch the spectacular floats and entertainers as everyone awaits the arrival of Santa. The 65th parade starts at 2pm on 2 December and follows a route along Riccarton Road from Wharenui Road to Mandeville Street. Visit www.christchurchsantaparade.co.nz. ★ Christmas Grotto

Children and adults of all ages will love the Christmas Grotto experience. Take the magical journey through the animated and static Christmas displays. Open from 9-24 December, 9.30am-9.30pm every day at Spreydon Baptist Church, corner Lyttelton and Cobham Streets. Entry $3 and under two’s free. Cafe onsite. Phone 03-338-4163 or visit www. christmasgrotto.org.nz for more information.

★ Great KidsCan Santa Run

Watch mass Santas run down the street or take part in this charity event. Starts near North Hagley Park on 5 December and follows a 2-3km walk or run course. Entry fee applies and includes a Santa suit. Visit www.lacticturkey.co.nz for details.

★ Christmas on Latimer - A Very

Christchurch Christmas

Come and experience A Very Christchurch Christmas. Be enchanted by the Telecom tree, phone Santa from a Telecom phone box or explore the twilight market. Open every weekend from 8-24 December at Latimer Square. For more information visit bethere.co.nz.

★ Christmas Music at Edmonds

Get into the spirit of the festive season with music from Neville Barry and the Stedfast Brass Band at the Edmonds Factory Gardens, 25 November from 2-4pm. Car park at rear of 395 Ferry Road.

★ YMCA Carols by Candlelight

Traditional carols showcase the magic of the season, on Christmas Eve, 24 December. Come to the Christmas Event Hub, Latimer Square, 9-10.15pm. Carol books and candles on sale.

★ The Plains Railway, Ashburton

Ride the trains and be part of the Christmas Festival on 25 November. Plenty of stalls and family entertainment including Santa’s arrival by train at 2pm. For more details visit www.plainsrailway.co.nz.

★ Christchurch City Mission

Make a difference to someone else’s life this festive season. Christchurch City Mission is grateful for donations of food, clothing, bedding and household items. For enquiries, phone 03365-0635 or visit www.citymission.org.nz for other gifting options.

★ Kmart Wishing Tree

When you are buying gifts for your family and friends this Christmas consider adding one extra to put under the Kmart Wishing Tree. Take a gift tag from the tree to identify the child’s age and gender and place it with your gift. Gifts do not have to be purchased at Kmart.

★ Christmas lights

Explore and admire the areas where Christmas lights twinkle the brightest. Visit www. lightupchristmas.co.nz for the latest locations.

★ Family Christmas worship services

Anglican churches throughout Canterbury offer a variety of family-oriented worship services leading up to Christmas and through the season. Whether you’re a regular or a visitor, everyone is welcome. Visit www.anglicanlife.org.nz/ComingEvents for service details from early December.

★ Ashgrove School, Rangiora -

Santa’s Grotto

For a full weekend, Santa takes over the entire Ashgrove School hall, decking it out with fairy lights, a Christmas tree forest and Santa’s workshop. Enjoy the wonder from 30 November - 2 December. Small entry fee applies. Visit facebook.com/ AshgroveSchoolSantasGrotto for more details.