Features

Ten years ago, the Billings Bridge Santa remembers a man coming in with his daughter who had just arrived from Poland and didn’t speak English. The only Polish Santa could think of was “moja droga jacie kocham,” which means, “I love you so.”

That was enough to convince the little girl that he was the real Santa, and she returned the following year just to see him.

For the past 21 years, Santa has been spending his free time away from the North Pole talking to children and their families at Billings Bridge Mall.

For her daughter-in-law’s first Canadian Christmas, Carol Manship knit her a Christmas stocking.

“I could go out and buy a pre-made one, but she knows that I’ve made it for her,” she says.  Manship works at Yarn Forward & Sew-On, a knitting and sewing store on Bank Street. It’s one of many places students can go when looking for supplies and information about handmade Christmas gifts.

“Every Christmas Eve my mom and I will watch The Christmas Carol.  I’ve been watching it since I was little, my mom watched it when she was young too.” -Sarah Barrett

“ Skating on the frozen lake at my cottage with all my family.” -Mac Radburn

“I get drunk with my family and sing Christmas carols.” -Ellyn Cook

“ I have a tourtiere every Christmas eve.” -Mac Christie

Maybe you’ve experienced that awkward moment when you return from winter break and ask someone, “How was your Christmas?” and they tell you they don’t celebrate it.

"This year I’m asking for a ‘Banana Phone.’ It’s a foam cover and it’s in the shape of a banana. I really want it. I hope I get it.” -Alanna Gray, first-year political science student (Blue Long Sleeve, Café)