Christmas enchantment lights up Masterton

CHRISTMAS HELPERS: Christmas Wonderland founders Jo Scott, left, and Suzie Wilmshurst, with "Santa Dave".

Miles of glittering fairy lights, a bedroom for Santa, a life size angel made from clingfilm and all manner of Christmas trees are helping bring joy to the Masterton community -- during what can be a difficult time of year for some.

Masterton's very own "Christmas Wonderland", a pop-up gallery dedicated to all things Christmassy, has been set up for the fourth year running, this time taking over an empty space next to The Chemists on Queen St.

The Christmas Wonderland was originally the brainchild of early childhood teacher Suzie Wilmshurst and stay-at-home mum Jo Scott who began by sprucing up the old Vault store with decorations collected by then Masterton Christian Childcare.

Since then, things have "exploded" with Suzie and Jo having bought, made, upcycled and repaired hundreds, perhaps thousands of baubles, toys and ornaments -- each one delighting youngsters and evoking memories for the "big kids".

"We've got a few boxes of decorations between us now," Suzie said.

"It's definitely evolved a bit."

Suzie said the idea for Christmas Wonderland came to her as she was feeling disheartened by the lack of festive decorations in the Masterton CBD.

"I wanted to bring some Christmas cheer for the kids," she said.

"At the time, there was absolutely nothing in town, and there still isn't much."

Having received much positive feedback on the first pop up shop, she and Jo made it their mission to keep Christmas Wonderland going -- and now spend much of the year fossicking at garage sales and op shops for suitable Christmas items.

As well as sourcing the traditional trees, tinsel, pretty angels and chubby Santa ornaments, Suzie and Jo have put their creativity to work: making trees from discarded pallets, a snowman out of plastic cups, and a figure out of clingfilm and lit by fairy lights, known as "The Light Lady".

They have also mended and upcycled a few of their finds, having re-covered furniture, made a tree from knives and forks, and refurbished a wardrobe door to act as the entranceway to the "Narnia" corner.

"Nothing is new apart from the batteries and maybe some of the lights," Suzie said.

"Hopefully people can look at some of the displays and see Christmas doesn't have to cost a packet."

They have also set up a room with a traditional Christmas dinner table setting, a "Santa's bedroom", complete with a bed and writing desk, and a "workroom" for the elves.

Jo and Suzie say setting up Christmas Wonderland can be stressful -- the shop is dependent on them being able to find a rent-free space and funding for the power bills, and they are reliant on volunteers to keep it running.

Plus, there are all the decorations to unpack -- but the look on customers' faces are worth it, Jo said.

"People come in and they don't know what to expect.

" Then they see this mass of shimmering lights, and they're in complete disbelief.

"We get quite a few old people shedding a tear when they see an ornament, or smell a tree, or hear a Christmas song which brings back memories."

Surprisingly, Jo and Suzie say they are not "Christmassy people", and have only minimal dsiplays at their own homes - and prefer to see "other people warmed" than spend hours decorating their houses.

And if the messages in the visitors' book are anything to go by - such as "spectacular and magical", "beautiful and bright like Christmas is meant to be", and, most poignantly, "thank you for showing you care at Christmas: some of us need it" - spirits are certainly being lifted.

"Christmas is hard for a lot of people -- but they can come in here and forget about that for a while, and feel warm and fuzzy."

Christmas Wonderland will run until December 24 at 9pm. Decorations are not for sale. Entry is free, but a gold coin donation is appreciated.