Hand-made decorations and old-fashioned games kept many families entertained at Totara Estate last month, with a Victorian Christmas theme organised by the historic farm's property manager, Anne Sutherland.
The estate, birthplace of New Zealand's frozen meat industry, introduced the Victorian Christmas theme for one day last year, but this year extended it to eight days from December 13.
The celebration was to show people the Victorian history of the place in a fun, active way, and attract families to activities.
These included children making Christmas crafts such as peg dolls, paper birds and angels for the tops of their Christmas trees.
They could also enjoy outside games, including quoits, horseshoes and hoops, and other activities.
''One of the favourites was doing the washing in the old tin tub with soap and a washboard,'' she said.
Grandmothers said they remembered doing the washing that way.
While the children were entertained, adults could tour the displays and historic buildings and enjoy a Christmas afternoon tea with traditional food such as festive fruit pies.
Totara Estate will be open every day during the summer between 10am and 4pm.
