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There are many ways to give back and support those in need during the holidays, so we asked families and friends to share their holiday traditions that are sparked by a sense of community, generosity, and compassion.

Every year people fall off ladders while hanging decorations, cut themselves while wrapping presents, and trip over electric cables or toys left on floors. There are instances of children or pets swallowing small ornaments, and even electrical shocks from holiday tree lights. So, we’ve put together 10 tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe and merry over the holidays. 

Last November, a delegation from the Canadian Red Cross visited the Mexican Red Cross team in Nogales, a city in the state of Sonora bordering the U.S. state of Arizona. Many of the residents of this arid desert town came from other parts of the country to work in one of the numerous cross-border manufacturing plants, or maquiladoras, that produce goods for international export.

The holiday season is approaching and for some, it can bring a range of emotions. It can be a joyful time of coming together with loved ones, as well as a challenging reminder of loss and hardship. Regardless of our circumstance, we all experience stress in different ways and it’s important to find the tools that help you manage. Here, we share some suggestions.

Sexual violence in many modern armed conflicts is a terrible reality. Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) it can be a war crime. Despite provisions in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols that explicitly prohibit rape and other forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse of women, girls, boys and men in armed conflict is still frequent and widespread. The path to justice for survivors can be daunting.

Doug and his wife lay awake all night listening to the violent winds and debris crashing against their home when Hurricane Fiona hit. Like many of their neighbours in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, they’d been advised to prepare ahead of time; but when their front door - closed and locked - was ripped off their house with a loud bang at 3 a.m., the severity of the storm became clear.

Originating on the coast of West Africa on September 14, 2022, Fiona’s destructive character took the world by surprise. Reported wind gusts ranged from 100 to 140 km/h, rainfall exceeded 100 mm in some locations and hundreds of thousands of people experienced power outages. Sadly, Fiona holds the record for being the most intense storm to ever hit Canada. Denis Lessard, a Quebec Canadian Red Cross volunteer since 2006, was deployed in Newfoundland on October 2, 2022, following this severe weather event.

The season of hot chocolates, slippers and cozy blankets is here. This year, the Canadian Red Cross is making it easier for you with our 2022 holiday gift guide for a stress-free gift giving (and receiving) season.