Grannies Christmas Grotto opened in Marton on Friday for its 25th successive year, but only just.
Run by self-confessed "Christmas crazy" resident Jenny Greener the grotto is a wonderland of Christmas themed delights and attracted over 2000 people in the 23 days it was open last year.
Difficulty finding vacant premises put this year's event in jeopardy and Mrs Greener was resigned to it not happening.
Five weeks ago the Rangitikei District Council came to the rescue with a building and the race was on to get everything ready.
"It usually takes us about eight weeks to prepare and we had five. We are still not completely finished but just about," Mrs Greener said.