Portage Learning and Literacy Centre's Newcomer Settlement Services held their Christmas party last night at Trinity United Church and it was packed.

For some new Portagers, it was their first Christmas celebration, and their first time meeting Santa Claus.

Aleksandr and Alina, along with their kids Kyrylo and Marii, get their photos taken with Santa.Ayobanjo Ayobeji arrived from Nigeria two months ago, with his family. When asked what he thought of a Christmas get-together like this, he smiled.

"Very good, very good. It brings people together. I've met more people, so, it's a good thing," says Ayobeji. "It makes you to have contact and you have more friends. It's good."

For others, it was not their first on their own. For Oleksander Flyk, who arrived from Ukraine last year, it was the first Christmas with his wife and two kids.

"I like Christmas because in my country, we don't celebrate Christmas. Our Christmas is in January, but it's not so beautiful like in Canada," says Flyk. "I was on here at a Christmas celebration last year in Portage and I like it."

With Portage la Prairie in the middle of a cold snap this week, Flyk was asked what he thought about the temperatures.

"In my country, it's also pretty cold, but not like this," says Flyke. "Our winter is shorter. Just three, maybe two months. This is could enough, but in cold weather, there are some interesting activities, for example, like skating and skiing. It's not too bad for me."

Flyk adds that he feels safe in Portage, and he's happy to feel free. Both Oleksandr and his wife Alina wanted to thank everyone who helped put the Christmas party on, noting the time and effort it must have taken to bring so many people together.

Trinity United Church was a busy place Thursday night.