Homes throughout Hawke's Bay are lighting up the night sky with dazzling Christmas displays in the Tremains Christmas Lights Spectacular.
This year 67 properties have been decorated with Santas, nativity scenes, elves, reindeer and lights, lights and more lights.
Joining the festive fun are Tony and Vyrena Munson, of Warwick Rd, Hastings.
This
is the second year the couple have lit up their home and garden for the pleasure of others.
"We just love it," Mrs Munson said.
"It's really nice seeing the kids so excited and saying 'look at this and look at that'.
"And you get to meet all sorts of people who stop and have a chat. It's great."
The couple said most people stopped for only a few seconds, probably because so many lit-up houses were waiting to be seen in just two hours.
"Less really, because it doesn't get dark until about 9pm (lights are switched on at 8.30pm and off at 10.30pm)."
They had built up their decoration collection over a few years.
Mr Munson said, "We started by just putting a few lights up here and there every year.
"Then we would buy more in the after-Christmas sales.
"Last year we decided to go for it and join in the fun."
It took Mr Munson about a week to prepare for "lights on". But it was well worth the effort, and got them both in the festive mood, he said.
The Munsons' display includes more than just store-bought products. They have made their own decorations, including an angel and a nativity scene, by drawing patterns on a board, then drilling holes and pushing lights through.
"Your fingers get sore by the end but it's worth the effort when you see how much pleasure it gives people when they see them," Mrs Munson said.
If you want to see for yourself, take a tour on the Tremains bus for just $5 (Napier tours sold out), or grab a map and take a tiki-tour to lighten up your Christmas.
Tickets and maps available from Tremains' offices in Napier, Hastings, Taradale and Havelock North. Maps can also be downloaded from www.tremains.co.nz
