Scenes From Christmas Eve With the Sunweavers

 

 Yours truly has been busy getting over a cold and working in RL, as well as finishing a longer article that will be up tomorrow, so I'm a little late in posting a few pictures from Christmas Eve.

 

 Wednesday December 24 from 4-6 was the Christmas party at Club Zero Gravity. DJ Snowbuns came out of her holiday hiatus to play tunes for the two hour set. 

 

 At 6 PM came the Cutlass Christmas Party, and there was a treat: physics balloons. Touching the rezzer would release a bunch over the dance floor. 

 

 Shockwave would play the tunes for this event, and he played some interesting ones.

 

 It was good music with good friends and good chatter. 

 

 

The party would last a bit beyond 8PM, as not everyone here was with family in real-life. 
 

 Following the Christmas parties, I would drop by Calas Galahon Park for a bit with a friend. 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

EOTB: "Joy To The Grid"

 

Linden Lab's latest blog post is about various Christmas and winter events and activities. 

 

Happy December, Residents! The holidays are here, and we’ve packed the season with festive fun for everyone. From epic shopping sprees to snowball battles, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate in Second Life this winter. Here’s a peek at what’s coming your way:  

 

The themes range from the Christmas Shop and Hop which opens tomorrow (check for more information tomorrow morning), new last names, Premium account gifts, "Santa Patch" at the Christmas Expo, the Linden Snowball Fight, and more. 

 

We'll have more info about some of these later. For now, you can check out the Linden blog (here). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

"A Winter Wonderland Christmas" And "Kenzie’s"

 

Gemma Cleanslate has been continuing her search for Christmas-themed locations.  Today's article features two places she found some Christmas decor. "A Winter Wonderland Christmas" features much indoor decorations, as well as some outdoor. Kenzie’s had decorations, but also some items to get as presents such as clothing, and there was also some picturesque scenery.

  

Read Gemma's story in Places. 

 

The Holidays of Hope Gala

 

 

 Sunday December 8 was the last day of the Christmas Expo. Among the events was what could be described as the finale: the Holidays of Hope Gala. A number of avatars large and small dropped over, including two who were normally large dragons who went average size for the dance.

Musicians such as Coralie and Grace Loudon performed for the crowd, who danced away to the music while occasionally dropping in some Lindens into the donation kiosk.

There were other things to do, such as taking a ride on the railroad.

And one could check out the decorated houses. Here, One of the Moles demonstrated a need for practice in parking.

Some of the houses were decorated very colorfully.

With the end of the Expo, there will be no more entries in the auctions and contests, which will presumably announce winners soon, if they haven't already. It is noteable that in the past few years, Linden Lab has used the Expo to introduce a new brand of Linden Home. But this was not the case this year. Perhaps the Lindens are still brainstorming over a unique theme, or perhaps they've been busy fixing bugs.

The Expo is the last of the Relay's spinoff events for the year. But Relayers won't have to wait too long. In about a couple months in February, the official 2025 RFL season will begin.

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of The Day: The Holidays Drag-On

 

 

This draggy was dressed up in a Santa outfit. He was left out after Christmas like so many decorations. Guess the holidays can really "drag on" for some of us.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Calas Ghaladon And Yosemite At Christmas

 

Christmas is here. For those who aren't with family in real life today (or looking for a place to meet up with SL friends for a little while), there are a number of Xmas-themed places to check out. In her latest article, Gemma Cleanslate checks out two favorites the Newser has wrote on over time: Calas Ghaladon and Yosemite. Both had good scenery to admire.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

 

Merry Christmas

 

 

 Taken at Caledon Downs

Merry Christmas from the Second Life Newser

 

The Christmas "Shop And Hop" Starts Today

 

 

For those who enjoy Christmas shopping (and are having withdrawls from Black Friday and Cyber Monday), good news. The Linden-organized Holiday Shop and Hop officially starts today.

And if you're an avid shopper, there's 16 sims with 320 merchants taking part. So you won't run out of stores soon. Each store has at least a 20% discount, sometimes more, and either a free gift for all shoppers regardless of if you're in the store's group or not, or a free gift certificate worth at least 300 Linden dillars.

The event lasts until Monday January 1. For a list of stores and their SURLs, Click Here.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/129/125/54 

The Thanksgiving Parade And Some Xmas Shopping Places

 

The Thanksgiving Parade is back! DJ Franny Dean’s friends were determined to keep her project going, and they succeeded. Gemma Cleanslate went to take a look, but also checked out some places to do some early Christmas shopping. So where did she go?

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Press Release: 2023 Christmas Expo

 

Christmas Around The World
The 13th Annual Second Life Christmas Expo Opens December 1st

Second Life’s Premier Christmas shopping and entertainment event, the Second Life Christmas Expo, returns for the thirteenth year, bringing more than 125 merchants, Breedables, Auctions and Raffles, Special Events and more than 150 hours of entertainment at 2 venues. The event, which benefits the mission of the American Cancer Society to End Pediatric Cancers, covers 11 regions each, of which represents the holiday tradition of a different country.  Its “Christmas Around TheWorld” from December 1st through the 10th and also features the Lights Of Hope home decoration competition, will conclude as always with the Annual Holidays of Hope Gala Ball and the incredible Christmas Expo Live Auction!

Linden Lab returns to the Expo once again with special events, valuable auction and raffle prizes (including memberships and regions), Photo Ops and one of kind collectibles, including a Santa Patch Linden bear.

BUT WAIT!  STOP THE PRESSES!  This Year the Expo is proud to introduce the newest and hottest Linden collectible ever!   The Boopie! A  Boopie is not just your av-er-age bear Boo-Boo! Boopies come in special packaging, which itself is expected to become a treasured collectible. They feature sounds, effects and for the Expo the Lindens have created a very special One of a Kind Boopie Penguin which will only be available in Expo Vendors during the event.

In addition to the Boopies you can also join Santa Patch and the Mole-Elves for a special photo opportunity, bid on special Linden Packages and vote for your favorite Holiday Decorated Linden Homes at the Linden Lights of Hope! Be sure to mark your calendar for the 1st Linden & Mole Neighborhood Christmas Party on Wednesday December 6 from 1 to 3 pm on the Linden Lights Of Hope region featuring T1Radio’s award winning host Trader Whiplash.

Holiday entertainment has always been a hallmark of the Expo and 2023 will not disappoint!  The Holly Jolly Café make sits annual return with 10 days of live entertainment featuring nearly 100 of Second Life’s most talented and popular singers and musicians.  If you prefer the club scene, we have that too!  The Electric Reindeer DJ Dance Club makes its Expo debut, offering nightly dancing to some of the best spinners on the grid!  

Still want more?  There’s Sleigh Rides, a Christmas Tree Lot, a Snowman Competition and of course, photos with Santa and Christmas Stories with Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Expo supports the American Cancer Society and all proceeds are dedicated to Giving The Gift of Hope to children with cancer.  Find out more at SLChristmas Expo.com

The American Cancer Society is the world’s leader in the fight against cancer, with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. If you or someone you know has questions about cancer, a cancer diagnosis, prevention and screening guideline visit the Society website at cancer.org or call 800-227-2345. Need support in world visit the American Cancer Society region, where you will find caregiver and survivor support and a direct chat link to an ACS Cancer Information specialist. 

Christmas Shop And Hop Applications Now Being Accepted

 

 

 In the Linden blog on Thursday November 2, it was announced that applications are now being accepted for December's "Holiday Shop and Hop" shopping event. But, only for a limited time.

Change is in the air...can you feel it? Halloween is now over and winter is fast approaching! We're ecstatic to announce the return of our highly anticipated Holiday Shop & Hop! Mark your calendars for a spectacular shopping extravaganza that kicks off on December 1st, 2023, and runs through January 1st, 2024.

Calling all Merchants - now's your chance to be a part of this year's festivities! Applications are now open for Creators to participate and add a dash of magic to this seasonal celebration, which will feature multiple shopping regions and tons of festive fun!

 

As mentioned, the event lasts 31 days, starting Friday December 1, and ends on Monday January 1, 2024. Sellers have to offer a discount of at least twenty percent on their goods, and offer at least one free gift, which must be new, to shoppers regardless of if they're in the merchant's group or not. No adult-rated items can be available at the stores, nor anything of a political nature. Shop & Hop stores cannot be used to promote items at other locations.

 

The store set-ups will be from November 24 to 27. People have until Wednesday November 8 to fill out the application. As before, applying does not necessarily guarantee a spot at the event.

 

More details mentioned in the blog.

 

Patch Linden's "Better Late Than Never" Christmas Picture

 

 

 Yesterday on Flickr, Patch Linden posted this "Another Better Late Than Never" picture, "Happy belated Holidays and New Year to everyone! This concludes my catching up from being MIA!"

Hat Tip: Dreamer Pixelmaid

Merry Christmas

 

 Merry Christmas from the crew of the Second Life Newser

Taken at Caledon Downs

SL Video: "Wishing You A Happy Holiday With Your Second Life Friends!"

 

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

From Linden Lab on December 24, "Tis the season for family, friends, and feasting! Spend this holiday season surrounded by loved ones. Happy Holidays!"

The Newser Office Decorations

 

 

 The Newser has covered many places in Second Life putting on a holiday look for Christmas. And now, it's time to take a look at ourselves. Our office in HV Community has gotten a Christmasy look as well.

Gemma Cleanslate and Dancerina Starlight have really decorated the place. 

Each floor has it's share of decorations. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Christmas Expo 2022 - A Frosty Tale"

 

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

From Mac n' Tease Tomato (Nicola Nitely and Macguyver Mode) on December 11

Calas Galadhon Park - Christmas 2022

 

Dancerina Starlight was recently at Calas Galadhon Park. The sim changes it's appearance every season, and winter has recently come to the area. Dencerina found quite a winter wonderland, and when writing about the region had much to say.

Read Dancerina's article in Places.

SL Video: "Christmas Expo 2022 - Home For The Holidays"

 

 

 (Click here to see the video)

 

From Mac n' Tease Tomato (Nicola Nitely and Macguyver Mode) on December 7, "Filmed on location at the Christmas Expo 2022 Sims." A trip by a couple to meet the man's parents turns into more than the lady bargained for.

The Candlelight Processional Tribute

 

 

On his Flickr, Patch Linden posted five times this month, there will be a Candlelight Processional Tribute.

 

 The tribute to the Candlelight Processional returns this year, I am proud and super excited to be invited as a guest narrator again!

The Processional is an annual event that features a traditional telling of the story of Christmas with festive music and choir.

We have selected some great times and dates to cover as many time zones as we could.

Please come see the show, and there is a very special, high capacity showing when we take the tribute to the Candlelight Processional to a guest location this year!

 

Four of the five times the event takes place are at the Wedcot Center in the Real Dreams sim. Wedcot is a tribute of the real-life Epcot Center owned by Disney which itself is deserving of an article. I arrived a little early, took a candle, and sat in the stands.

 

The event soon started, music started playing, and choir bots began walking through the audience seating and onto the stage.

 

 

Patch Linden had been behind the curtains. Eventually the curtain was drawn and he appeared. Speaking in voice, "As we prepare to say goodbye to the year, let's take a moment to reflect on what has transpired." The then began reading the story of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Fancy light effects shone on the stage as the event went on. Eventually, it ended, and the audience cheered. After the show, Patch stuck around chatting with a few of the audience, but soon had to leave.

 

Patch will narrate the event three more times this month. Twice more it will be at Wedcot, Real Dreams (120/234/101), at December 9 - 10am SLT and December 19 - 4pm SLT. The "largest last show of the season" will be in XeoRealms, "This special location will only be open prior to the show starting and will close to the general public shortly after the show," at Waters of Derlem (221/220/27). 

For those who can't make any of these dates, Willow Sleydon will narrate the event at Wedcot on December 8, 15, and 21 at 6PM.

 

Seasons Greetings

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Christmas Expo Starts Today

 

 

 After weeks of preparation, the Relay for Life's Christmas Expo is underway. This year's theme is "The Magic of Holiday Stories." There are 11 sims where you can attend music and dance parties, make a bid in auctions, buy a raffle ticket, get your photo taken with Santa, take park in a snowman making contest, walk around and enjoy the holiday scenery at your leisure, and of course all the shopping. 

For more details, check out the blog: https://slchristmasexpo.com/

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lights%20of%20Hope/3/128/23