Skip to content
All articles

A Christmas tree made of 400 peggy squares

Christmas is one of the busiest and happiest times at Real Living. Residents and staff are very busy preparing for the magic season, putting up decorations, making homemade wreaths and covering the villages in tinsel and garlands.

A group of resident volunteers have been decorating all the Christmas trees at Pakuranga Park.

At Pakuranga Park Christmas kicked off a few months ago, when the residents started knitting hundreds of peggy squares to create a unique Christmas tree to decorate the Lounge. The impressive tree was assembled last week; it has 400 squares and it’s 2.7 metres high, so it almost touches the Lounge’s ceiling!

The tree has pride of place in the Lodge lounge and is admired by all.

The talent and creativity of our residents always shines at this time of the year. At Pakuranga Park the annual Christmas market had a vast display of homemade goodies and yummy treats. Residents and visitors alike had the opportunity to browse stalls with gorgeous jewellery, retro candles, hand-crafted kauri artefacts, fruit cakes and handknitted gifts.

Epsom Village also held a very successful market with shortbread, muffins, jams, pickles, unique decorations and homemade Christmas cards. One of the most impressive stalls was the one with wood artifacts. David is a very talented resident who every day spends hours in the village’s workshop creating stunning wood pieces such as ornamental vases, old-fashioned toys and novelty gifts.

The Chinese ball is one of David’s favourite creations, a concentric sphere that took him around 20 hours to finish.

David is also the designer of Epsom Village’s original Christmas trees, that are being decorated this week. At Real Living we love this time of the year, when staff and residents come together as a big family to celebrate the magic season. The organisation of the Christmas dinner is in full swing with most residents having already registered to participate in one of the most important events of the year.

If you’d like to know more about joining our community contact Syvlie on 027 314 5767 or email sylvie.borrett@realliving.co.nz

Latest articles

All News
Oh, what a week!
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
05 April 2026

Oh, what a week!

Remuera Gardens was buzzing with energy during our recent Give It a Go Week, where residents and guests enjoyed a range of activities showcasing the vibrant lifestyle our village offers. From outdoor games in the autumn sunshine to Chair Pilates, Chair Yoga and aqua aerobics, there was something for everyone to try. Visitors also toured the new Avenue Apartments, explored our beautiful gardens, and enjoyed barista coffee and yummy treats at the Little Nook café.
Read more
We’re in NZ Gardener!
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
14 March 2026

We’re in NZ Gardener!

Have you seen us in NZ Gardener this month? Remuera Gardens is featured on page 2 of the latest issue, with a beautifully written article showcasing the eight acres of cottage and tropical gardens that make our village such a special place to live — filled with an eclectic mix of native and exotic species. We think the hydrangeas and flowers in the photos look spectacular — and our residents look just as fabulous!
Read more
Celebrating Style and Community in Remuera
Remuera Gardens
News
Remuera Gardens
News
05 March 2026

Celebrating Style and Community in Remuera

Fashion, friendship and community spirit came together beautifully this week at the Remuera Bridge Club, where Real Living Villages was delighted to attend a vibrant fashion show organised with Shoshamma Creations. The event brought together more than 100 guests to celebrate style, connection and the strong sense of community that makes Remuera such a special place to live.
Read more