Ruby McPhail – with daughters Rosie, 6, and Frankie, 3 – pictured with one of the inflatables visitors will see when they stop by the family’s Christmas lights display this year. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Te Awamutu’s Ruby McPhail finds it hard to articulate just what it is she loves most about Christmas.
“But every time I see Christmas decorations they make me super happy.”
Ruby moved to Te Awamutu five years ago and shared her festive joy by organising the Te Awamutu and surrounds Christmas lights trail.
Each year homeowners sign up to be part of it via an online form. The fifth iteration of the trail went live recently and most participants leave their lights up until Boxing Day.
“I figured a Christmas lights trail would be a neat way for families to have something else they can do together as they go in search of the houses.
“I love the idea of that,” Ruby said.
“I’m always so grateful when people come on board to be part of each trail, and the effort some of the homeowners go to is astounding.”
This year’s trail features 24 addresses – 18 in Te Awamutu, four in Kihikihi and two in Ōtorohanga.
Voting is now open for the crowd favourite accolade, and the winner will receive a Pak n’ Save Te Awamutu Christmas hamper.
The 2023 Te Awamutu and surrounds Christmas lights trail is: Te Awamutu – : 330 Pakura St, 66 Cresta Court, 55 Bowden Pl, 258 Raikes Ave, 32
Domain Rd, 343 Elizabeth Drive, 161 Pokuru Rd, 20 Headlands Dr, 92 Mahana Lane (viewed from Frontier Estate), 73 Ryburn Rd Ōhaupō, 1/1181
Alexandra St, 115 Bockett Ave, 828 Bond Rd, 135 Saddle Terrace, 231 George Melrose Dr, 45 George Melrose Dr, 99 Fairview Rd and 1010 Bank St. Kihikihi and surrounds: 35 Bryce St, 76 Rolleston St, 18a Hall St, 23 Moule St, 102 Whibley Rd (Ōtorohanga) and 63 Phillips Ave (Ōtorohanga).
- Send your best pics from the trail to [email protected] – put the words Lights Trail in the
subject line.
