What did you think of the little taste of winter we had last week? For most of us, it’s just a slight bit too early. I did however notice that some residences have their Christmas lights on as of Nov. 1.

Thankfully, the weather is still mild enough for the rest of us to get outside and do our decorating without freezing. Brr, that’s the part I don’t like.

This year we will once again be having our residential, commercial and industrial Winter Lights decorating contest. The judging will be taking place Dec. 12 and 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Winter Lights decorating categories are: Outdoor Residential Display, Outdoor Commercial/Industrial Display, Retail Window Display, Indoor Office Display, and Neighborhood Block Theme.

The judges evaluate each display for its theme, complexity, overall impression and use of LED energy saving lights. To enter or nominate a neighbour or friend, call 250-392-2950 or e-mail randbbeatson@shaw.ca.The deadline for submissions is Dec. 10. Judging will take place Dec. 12 and 13 for outdoor displays and Dec. 12 for indoor office and window displays. We encourage everyone to participate.

The local retailers already have their Christmas merchandise on display. There are some really tempting items to select from so there’s no reason not to be creative. Your decorating can be as complex as filling your yard with numerous yard decorations and thousands of lights or as simple as a coloured spotlight focused on a tree.

A planter urn you used in summer will look beautiful at the entrance to your home or business. You can fill it with evergreen boughs, red dogwood twigs, holly berries and pinecones. Or fill your summer flower boxes with winter greenery and a few shiny glass balls.

Make a beautiful evergreen swag or wreath to hang on the doorway. These can be made of lush cedar or fir boughs, or for a clean minimal look, wrap organza ribbon around a simple twig wreath.

A cluster of various size pinecones tied with nice ribbon adds beauty to your entrance. Fill large glass vases with cranberries or small glass balls and place a candle in the centre to set by your doorway.

Create a theme for your home or business display. A theme could be as simple as using the same color throughout or as complex as focusing on decorating with one subject in mind. You may wish to decorate using only white and silver or red and gold decorations and lights. Or you may wish to create a specific theme using only candies & candy canes or just penguins or Santa & his elves. Indoors you can create a miniature Charles Dickens village, Nativity scene, or only angels, snowmen or Santas.

Get together with your neighbours and begin creating a theme on your block. Perhaps everyone could decorate using various tones of one color. Begin a block theme such as Candy Cane Lane, Penguinville, Santa’s Workshop or the North Pole. Or your theme could be spiritual, cultural or traditional.

Save energy — use LED lights. Light Emitting Diode (LED) festive lights are brighter, 80-90 per cent more energy efficient and longer lasting than traditional holiday lights.

They are made with cool-to-the-touch plastic that’s almost impossible to break and their colors will never flake or fade. With energy costs rising, it makes sense to use LED lights.

Creating a winter wonderland around your home or business not only enhances your property, it brightens the neighborhood and contributes to a positive community environment.

For more information, visit the Winter Lights web site at www.winterlights.ca.

Upcoming events to mark on your calendar:

• November: Operation Christmas Child drop-off at Cariboo Bethel Church 250-398-6731 (Deadline Nov 20)

• Nov 6 & 7: Royal Purple Early Christmas Craft sale Fri 10-8:00, Sat 10-5:00 at Elks Hall

• Nov 7: Horsefly Christmas Craft Fair 10-3:00 at Horsefly Community hall

• Nov 7: Anahim Lake Christmas craft fair 10-2:00 at Anahim Lake School gym

• Nov 7: Sacred Heart Christmas Bazaar 12 to 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart Hall

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Nov 7 & 8 Thyme for Tea Annual Christmas Open House in 150 Mile House, at 10-5, Sun 10-4

Nov 10-Dec 12 Winter Lights fundraising Silent Auction at Hub International Barton Insurance on 11 S. 2nd Ave. Bidding ends 5:00 pm Dec 12

Nov 13 & 14 Early Bird Christmas Craft Fair at Elks Hall Fri. 11 am – 8 pm, Sat. 10 am – 4 pm

Nov 14 Cowboy Christmas in Gibralter Room Trade show: 10-4:00, Open mic 12-4:00, Concert 7:00 pm (concert tickets $15) event sponsored by Museum of Cariboo Chilcotin

Nov 19 OAPO Seniors Bazaar & Bake Sale 11:00-1:30 at Seniors Activity Centre

Nov 19, 20, 21 Ten Thousand Villages Craft Sale Thurs & Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10-4:00 in basement of Cariboo Bethel Church

Nov 21 St. Peter’s Church annual Bazaar 11-2:00 at 549 Carson Dr.

Nov 21-22 Cataline Christmas Craft Fair 10:00 -4:00

Nov 21-22 Medieval Market at Columneetza School 10:00-4:00 pm both days

Nov 21 SPCA Pet pictures with SANTA 9:00-3:00 at Williams Lake Vet Hospital on Broadway

Nov 27 Winter Lights Christmas Magic Santa Parade 5:45 pm from United Carpet down Oliver St to Courthouse Square on 1st Ave

Nov 27 Winter Lights Christmas Magic Light-up 5:30 pm, Community Lighting ceremony 6:00 pm, FREE fun activities for the entire family

Nov 28 Christmas Bake Sale & Tea 11:00-3:00 at Museum of Cariboo Chilcotin

Nov 28 Skate with Santa 1:00-2:30 at Cariboo Memorial Complex

Nov 28 Hospital Trust’s Christmas Gala Tickets available at Cariboo GM

• December: Canadian Cancer Society Christmas Cakes are here! Phone 250-392-3442 to order.

Dec 3, 4 & 5 Christmas Musical “Nifty Fifties” by Maranatha Players Theatre group. Showtimes 7:00 pm at Maranatha School Theatre

Dec 6 Central Cariboo Hospice Society’s Memory Tree Ceremony 2:30-4:30 with tree lighting at 4:30 at City Hall

Dec 6 Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” reading by WL Studio Theatre, Quintet Plus & Christmas Brass Ensemble 7:00 pm at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Donation proceeds to NOOPA

Dec 8 TubaJohn’s 4th Annual Christmas Concert with Friends, Cariboo Men’s Choir & Quintet Plus 7:30 at St. Andrews United Church by donation to Salvation Army

Dec 8 Banff Mountain Film Festival 7:00 in Gibralter Room

Dec 9 Cariboo Adventist Academy presents the musical performance “Once Upon a Starry Night” 7:00 pm 1405 S Lakeside Dr.

Dec 10, 11 & 12 Christmas Musical “Nifty Fifties” by Maranatha Players Theatre group. Showtimes on 10th & 11th is 7:00 pm and on the 12th 1:00 and 8:00

Dec 11 Barton’s Family Christmas downtown at Courthouse Square 6:00-8:00 pm

Dec 12 Annual TRIBUNE Toy & Food Drive 10:00 – 2:00 188 N 1st Ave

Dec 12 & 13 Winter Lights Decorating Contest Judging takes place 6:00 – 10:00 pm

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