Mary Elliott keeps tradition going with her Cakes and Images little Christmas shop in Whanganui

Mary Elliott's philosophy is that when you turn 70, you should be able to do what you like - and she likes helping people make Christmas a bit more special.

For the past four years she has operated her Cakes & Images little Christmas shop from her Springvale home.

"I've been self-employed in the food industry for most of my working life and have had cafes," Elliott said.

"I thought I would retire but I still had customers from my cafe years so I started doing Christmas cakes for them. It's good for me because it's only half a year's work."

Elliott has a commercial kitchen with an A grade food premises certificate from the Whanganui District Council.

Most of the cake making happens in August so the traditional fruit cakes have time to mature and, depending on orders, she sometimes does another run.

She makes four sizes of glazed cakes and iced cakes which can include an image, such as a business logo for corporate gifts or a Christmas-themed picture, as well as mini Christmas puddings, fudge and shortbread.

"The puddings are a nice gift," Elliott said.

"I've only done them for two years but that has just gone off. I have tins filled with a chocolate fudge I make. I try to do things you would give as a gift. This year I've decided to experiment with gift boxes and gift bags."

The gift boxes include a range of food and other products that Elliott stocks in her tiny shop, while the bags have baked goods including a gift-sized Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, shortbread, chocolate coconut cups and peanut brittle.

"I have some Whanganui items in them, such as creamed honey from Canaan Honey and Delectable's peanut brittle, and next year I would like to move towards having more Whanganui products," Elliott said.

"I've been doing this for four years but I've been doing cakes for 40 years. I always sold Christmas cakes in my cafes and you retain those customers. They become friends. They still come in and I give them a cup of tea. You see them once a year but it's a major catch-up."

The shop at 133 Carlton Ave Extension is open 11am to 2pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday from now until Christmas. Contact Mary Elliott on 027 338 7177.