Lake Hawea family has scooped first prize in Wanaka's annual Christmas lights competition, with a decorated home which features a host of colourful characters.
The winning effort of Bernie and Geoff Hewson and their 5-year-old twins Monty and Carter includes 20 Santa Clauses (14 illuminated figures, three large inflatable figures, two stuffed Santas and a cardboard cut-out), seven reindeer, a sleigh, and more than 100m of lights.
Mrs Hewson said preparation for the home decorations started in October.
"I spent a long time on the internet looking for the Santas and inflatables.
"Cutting out and painting the reindeers for Santa's sleigh took me a couple of days, too," she said.
Trips to the recycling centre - where they sourced items such as bikes, timber, and skis for a sleigh - also turned up many goodies for the decorative display.
It was the second year the family had entered the Christmas lights competition.
The inspiration for the decoration was primarily their children, although Mrs Hewson confessed to getting "a bit" carried away with the project.
"You just get an idea and run with it.
"It's about the kids, really, but we love it too," she said.
The family won a prize pack of items donated by several Wanaka businesses, valued at more than $1000.
