The decorations are going up, gift plans are being prepared, and Christmas advertising is in full swing.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas: The time of year when we think of loved ones, plan celebrations, and join in with the various festivities across the district.

There are many ways to celebrate this year with a range of events across the region, visits from Santa Claus, and ways to help out those less fortunate.

Events

A perennial family favourite is the lighting of the Christmas Tree which takes place in Wānaka tonight (Friday December 2) on the lawn at Wānaka Hotel. This is a fun evening kicking off at 6pm featuring performances from locals and even a visit from Santa.

Santa’s Grotto opens tomorrow (Saturday December 3) at the Wānaka Community Hub and is always a wonderful experience for children and adults. The Grotto is open daily through to Sunday December 11.

Santa's Grotto opens this Saturday

Lake Hāwea residents can visit the Christmas Wonderland at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre and see their favourite Christmas carols come to life. The Wonderland will be open December 3-11.

Albert Town celebrates Christmas in the Park on Sunday December 4 at McMurdo Park with a range of entertainment for the family from bouncy castles, to face painting and some fun events like sack races and egg and spoon races.

Find a full list in the Wānaka App’s Christmas Events section.

Giving

Not everyone in our community is able to celebrate Christmas as they might like and there are a number of initiatives for the community to provide support and love.

Community Networks/LINK provides food parcels to local families and is accepting cash donations via their Givealittle page.

They also require presents which can be dropped off at Ray White’s office in Helwick Street as part of their Little Ray of Giving campaign. Community Networks/LINK has identified families needing assistance and ask that gifted presents are not wrapped so they can see which ones are most suitable for each family.

You can also support Community Networks/LINK by entering the New World Three Parks Grocery Grab. The lucky winner has two minutes to grab up to $2,000 in groceries with New World Three Parks donating the equivalent of the amount won to Community Networks/LINK for the Wānaka Foodbank.

Food for Love, a group of volunteers providing home cooked meals, is seeking cash donations in the lead up to their Christmas cook-up so they can purchase the required ingredients. Donations can be made to account 06-0943-0840857-00.

Rubbish and Recycling

To help keep our environment as clean as we can Wānaka Greenwaste, Wānaka Transfer Station, Wastebusters and Kerbside collection will be active over the holidays with details available in the Wānaka App’s Christmas section.

This is a snapshot of what is happening. To find out more see the Wānaka App’s Christmas section made possible with the support of Paper Plus Wānaka.

Let’s also acknowledge all the volunteers who organise events and activities so the community can have a wonderful Christmas together. Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

PHOTO: Wānaka App