All aboard for Express

CREATIVE: The Polar Express at Peppertree Rest Home. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

Residents and staff of Peppertree Rest Home have been busy turning their place into a Polar Express-themed winter wonderland.

From the moment visitors step through the front door, they are greeted with glittering snowflakes, sparkling lights and a white christmas tree.

The hallways have been transformed into the Polar Express train and each window displays a photo of each staff member and resident as they wave and smile with glee.

"We have everyone here participate in some way," Peppertree Home clinical manager Tracey Murphy says. "The residents all help to make the snowflakes hanging throughout the home."

There are also two special trees, one each in the home and hospital wing, made up of green hands with glitter nails.

"All staff, students, residents and even visitors made their hand to add to the tree," Ms Murphy says. "This is the second year we have done this and we will make it a tradition each year."

The home held their Christmas party several weeks ago and the residents made all the christmas pies, staff dressed up and children from the local day care came and sung carols for the residents.

"It was a huge event. We were all saying we might need an extra wing just for the christmas party. It really was such a big and wonderful day."

This week the home will be hosting one of the resident's 101st birthdays and plan to put on another huge celebration.

"We have a lot of fun around here. It's a great place to work and our staff and residents are the best bunch of people ever."