Christmas spirit

The Bayleys Christmas lights tour is back for 2015.

With December fast approaching, now is the time to start thinking about getting into the Christmas spirit. To help you do this, the Bayleys Christmas lights tour is back. A number of Matamata residents got involved last year with decorating their homes in Christmas lights. Residents are encouraged to enter their home into the tour, with maps available mid-December for the public to take part.

Bayleys Matamata’s Margaret Troughton said she was excited to be involved in the tour once again. ‘‘It’s fantastic to see everyone get into the Christmas spirit and really get involved in decorating their homes.’’ Matamata Mitre 10’s Lynette Stanley said this year solar lights were proving to be a real hit. ‘‘There is such a wide range available at Mitre 10, everything from coloured ropes and icicles to snowflakes, reindeer and Santa.’’

But residents shouldn’t feel they need to spend big money or produce a large display to be involved, Lynette said. Two participants will also randomly be drawn at the end of December and will each win a $150 Mitre 10 voucher. This year, Matamata businesses are also encouraged to decorate their shops and windows. Together with the Chronicle, Bayleys and Mitre 10 will be running a front window display competition which will then be decided on by public vote. ‘‘In the past, just a few businesses have decorated their store front and window, but this year we would love for the whole town to be covered in Christmas joy,’’ Margaret said.

– Keep an eye out in the Matamata Chronicle for your Bayleys Christmas lights tour registration form.