November was the month of major game title sequels: Halo, Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed all saw new installments. These titles got the major media push, but Nintendo’s new WiiU system was the most exciting November release.
The WiiU features a new tablet-controlled system and has arguably the most interactive online communities, called the ‘Wiiverse’. With the holidays coming up quickly, Nintendo is also releasing the Wii Mini, a basic gaming system with no Internet compatibility that will be out December 7th.
If you try to get the WiiU now, you will either…

My parents say I’m a Grinch. I just can’t help it.
I hate Christmas music. Every time I hear “Away in a Manger” it makes me want to smash my head through the inexplicably Caucasian visage of baby Jesus in the stained glass windows of the nearest church.
Unfortunately Christmas music is unavoidable at this time of year. What is a person with discerning musical taste to do? Find some tolerable Christmas music, that’s what!
Admittedly it was a hard task, but this year I found two new Christmas albums that don’t drive me…

The holiday season is right around the corner, but some say the end of the world will happen first. The Mayan apocalypse is scheduled to end life as we know it only 4 days before Christmas. I’m not here to encourage negative thoughts, but let’s run with it. This seems like a good theme for a party! And what is a party without music?
People have been worried about the end of the world since the dawn of time, and, at least in the last century, have expressed that worry in song. Sometimes they’re…

The holiday season is starting a bit early for some members of the Hamilton Red Wings.
This year’s team features a number of Jewish players, meaning along with their annual Christmas celebrations, the Wings will be celebrating Hanukkah as well.
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is observed this year from December 8 to 16.
Forward Oliver Hyman is one of the Jewish players on this year’s squad, and says it brings a special dynamic to the team.
“It’s a great experience,” he said. “I’ve never played with so many Jewish guys before. It…

As a reporter for the St. Catharines Standard, Don Fraser doesn’t do much undercover work, focusing more on the businesses and education of the Niagara region. That is until one night at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines, he joined the brotherhood of mall Santas, giving him a unique perspective on the holiday season.
Ignite News: Why did you become a mall Santa?
Don Fraser: We’re always scraping for Christmas features to fill the paper and it just occurred to my editor and I that it would be kind of cool to see what…

Sitting in an old chair in the village hardware store, a Victorian-era Santa Claus asks a small boy what he wants for Christmas. Shifting his weight nervously, the boy shyly mumbles that he would like a gaming system, and Santa Claus lets out a chuckle.
Outside, a horse-drawn wagon pulls a group of people in a circle around the village. Excited spectators take photographs with their cameras and cell phones, documenting their trip into the past.
At Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario, this juxtaposition between history and modern life allows people to learn…

Picture this: it’s Christmas morning, you open a present from your grandmother and pull out an ugly sweater that you would never be caught dead wearing in public. Of course you smile, say thank you and put it on, but what you don’t tell grandma is that it’s going right back to the store.
If you’re lucky, grandma will include a gift receipt.
Future Shop Communications Manager Elliott Chun says the store recommends customers always ask for a gift receipt and include it with the gift.
“They’re a great idea to give the recipient…

It’s the nightmare before Christmas.
You’re on your last few bucks from OSAP, with rent and bills to pay. Exams are sucking your brains out and there isn’t even time to deck your own halls before heading home for the holidays.
What student has the time, energy, or funds to jingle all the way over to the mall and buy their brother new socks? Let’s not even get started on Hanukkah… Eight freakin’ days?
Before you make like the McCallisters in Home Alone (the first one, of course) and bolt on your way to…

The end of the semester means one thing for Mohawk College students: exam week. While some students take the time away from classes to study, others are leaving it to the last minute.
“I usually cram the night before, I just stay up all night. It’s not fun but it’s the only way to do it,” said student Kyle Fink. “If I sleep on it I usually forget everything by the next morning.”
Mohawk student Kayla Loura takes a different approach and studies a week before her exams.
“I like to make sure I…

Mohawk College Advertising students are using their skills to bring Christmas cheer to children in need on the Hamilton Central-East Mountain.
For the past four years, students have been organizing an annual toy drive for Mountain Kidz, a not-for-profit agency that provides services to children and their families. Adam Pipe, Student Representative to the Mohawk Board of Governors, says they plan on doing more this year than in the past.
“I’ve set the bar a little higher this year and we’re not just collecting toys, we’ve sought a couple sponsorships for some sweaters and…