Kiwi Christmas: Your favourite beaches for celebrating

To celebrate the 2014 Christmas season, someone placed a Christmas tree on the beach to greet people at Mt Maunganui. Photo / Alan Gibson

For most people celebrating Christmas around the world, you wake up, you open presents, you eat breakfast. Then, for many Kiwis, you head to the beach.

We asked our followers to share the best beaches for some post-Santa sun and sand, and you delivered! If you're looking for a new spot, look no further. And if your favourite beach is missing here, share your favourite spot of sand on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #KiwiChristmas!

To kick off the list: Mt Maunganui is a favourite:

Here's one vote for Muriwai:

A couple of Twitter users swear by Ohope:

Aerial of Ohope Beach and Ohiwa Harbour. Photo / Getty Images

@nzherald The beach is very safe ,beautiful sand a lot of sun

— tane phillips (@PhillipsTane) December 16, 2015

Would you like to spend Christmas in Puheke? We would!:

@nzherald Puheke in the far north mostly deserted; beautiful! pic.twitter.com/ho9HvgYGFT

— Douglas Pauling (@DouglasPauling) December 16, 2015

Fancy a nap under the pohutukawa in Paihia?:

Or how about Waimarama Beach in Hawkes Bay (photo by Lyndy Alison Allen) :

Waimarama Beach, Hawkes Bay. Photo by Lyndy Alison Allen via Facebook

See all the ways Kiwis symbolise Christmas at KiwiChristmas.nzherald.co.nz