The Christmas spirit was alive and well in Alexandra yesterday as about 30 people gave their time and effort to the 12th annual Alexandra community Christmas lunch.
Chief organiser Elma McGregor, of Alexandra, said 138 people of differing ages and nationalities came together to celebrate the day.
She said it was ''just wonderful'' to have so many people willing to give up part of their Christmas Day to prepare and host the meal, though she admitted she probably had a ''screw loose'' for doing so.
But, ''it's what Christmas is about''.
Preparations for the dinner began on Sunday, under the seasoned eye of chef Wendy Scott, of Omakau.
After four years running the kitchen for the event, she has decided to step down in order to spend more of her Christmas Day with her family, including new grandchildren.
She said it is a stressful job ''but you get warm fuzzies at the end of it''.
Entertainment was provided by guests, including 12 Vanuatuan fruit pickers.
One of the twelve, Rita Jocy, said the community lunch was much like how they would have celebrated at home - singing, dancing and eating lots of food.
Another entertainer, Hazel Pearce, had also decided to step down after four years of volunteering, Mrs McGregor said.
The first Christmas lunch was organised by Alistair and Jeanette Miller 12 years ago ''and the community has supported it ever since''.
Those attending can make a donation which is used to buy food the following year. Money was also given by local church groups, Alexandra Community Christmas Lunch trust member Alistair Ross, of Clyde, said.
