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When Andrea Atkinson moved into her new home, she pictured her first Christmas there glowing with festive lights. 

But one slip off a ladder threatened to pull the plug on her seven-year-long tradition – until a Tauranga crew with a gift for gifting stepped in to deliver some Christmas magic. 

Now her house is glowing, and so is she, overwhelmed by how others were “happy to help out of the goodness of their own hearts”. 

A team of five from Chuffed Gifts made Atkinson’s Christmas vision a reality by stapling lights, securing inflatable decorations on her purpose built carport, and decking out the entire front yard. 

Her decorated house will again be a part of the annual Bower Christmas Lights Trail, where 51 houses across Tauranga and the Western Bay have been lit up with festive cheer. 

The real estate company has teamed up with The Hits Bay of Plenty 95.0FM, Tauranga Crossing and Chuffed Gifts for this year’s trail, which is open now. 

Atkinson told the Bay of Plenty Times she was “really overwhelmed” and “quite emotional” when she received the call that her Christmas lights would be put up for her. 

Maverick Atkinson, 9, and mum Andrea Atkinson after their home was decorated with festive cheer for Christmas. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell 

“I love doing it every year, love the feeling of it, you see all the lights and the decorations, and it’s just such a happy time.” 

Atkinson said she had been painting her newly-built carport in preparation for Christmas when she fell off a ladder, rupturing her ACL and tearing her MCL ligaments. 

“I was so bummed out that I wasn’t going to be able to [decorate the house] this year, and it was such a down, to then such a high getting a phone call offering this.” 

She watched from afar with her 9-year-old son, Maverick, as the Chuffed Gifts team worked hard to make her Christmas dream a reality. 

“To have people come in and do this for me is so meaningful, and it hits deep because people are so happy to help out of the goodness of their own hearts.” 

Chuffed Gifts co-founder Alex Howard said the decorating experience was in the spirit of Christmas. 

The gifting service works with a network of providers who collectively offer more than 1000 experiences across New Zealand. 

“We’re all about gifting experiences, and Christmas is a big time for that.” 

He said it was important to help out fellow Kiwis, have fun and celebrate the season. 

“Andrea’s really passionate about being involved in this, and it sucks that she couldn’t do it.” 

Chuffed Gifts brought Andrea Atkinson’s Christmas vision to life, stapling lights, securing inflatable decorations, and decking out the entire front yard. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell 

Howard said the team were more than happy to help out and take her directions. 

“I don’t think any of us are professional Christmas decoration setter-uppers, but we’re stoked to be involved and give back.” 

This is the fifth year Bower Real Estate (previously Tremains) has sponsored the Christmas Light Trail in Tauranga and Western Bay. 

Bower managing director Anton Jones said it meant a lot to the company that it could help bring “a little joy” to Tauranga. 

“It’s great to be able to see children and parents alike able to have some fun and see people smiling and connecting, especially with the modern stresses of life.” 

The lights are on nightly until 9pm, and viewers can vote for their favourite homes on thehits.co.nz until December 22. 

Bower and The Hits will also host two events in Christmas light hotspots with a free barbecue, ice blocks and lollies for the kids, as well as face painting, games and more. 

These will be held from 7pm in Pāpāmoa East’s Wairakei Ave on December 11 and Matepu Cres in the Lakes on December 12. 

2025 Bower Christmas Lights Trail addresses 

Paengaroa 

11 Tutea Pl 

22 Sunset Drive 

Te Puke 

58 Dunlop Rd 

23 Valley Rd 

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25 Montego Drive 

20 Thompson Drive 

27 Bahamas Key 

64 Blake Boulevard 

12 Primrose Pl 

47 Gibson Pl 

132 Waiariki Ave 

29 Arabian Drive 

32b Doncaster Drive 

30 Bucklands Cres 

10 Larisa Grove 

48 Harding Drive 

2 Toetoe St 

133 Blake Boulevard 

9 Carrington Drive 

Mount Maunganui 

5 Kentia Ave 

44 Ascot Rd 

Welcome Bay 

Welcome Bay Veterinary Clinic, 58 Welcome Bay Rd 

26 Estuary View Rd 

10 Wrybill Way 

Hairini 

131 Poike Rd 

Maungatapu 

5 Tutauanui Cres 

12 Plover Place 

Ohauiti 

17 Corwen Ave 

5 Mervyn Place 

Greerton 

24 Stirling Grove 

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118 Hinewa Rd 

Bellevue 

95 Sherwood St 

56 Windsor Rd 

Matua 

208 Levers Rd 

5 Weka St 

17 Rewarewa Pl 

Pyes Pa 

24 Mortlake Heights 

15 Matepu Cres 

7 Matepu Cres 

3 Matepu Cres 

Athenree 

130 Athenree Rd 

Katikati 

75a Wills Rd 

17 Fairview Rd 

185 Henry Rd, RD3, Off Busby Rd 

9a Crossley St 

123 Park Rd 

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4 Margaret Drive 

5B Walnut Grove 

5 Vantage Place (viewing from Lynley Park Drive) 

Waihi 

23 Mataura Rd 

Kaimai 

1314 Omanawa Rd RD1 

Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.