OCEAN: A combination of candles and crayfish bring the Pacific to the Christmas table. REINDEER: Clever use of dried material introduces one of Santa's best friends to the Christmas theme.

TRADITIONAL and spectacular modern colour combinations will be used by florists to decorate a collection of Christmas show homes.

Christmas Homes with Flowers will be hosted by the Howick Floral Circle at nine locations in Golflands, Dannemora and Whitford.

The main living areas of seven private houses, some outdoor areas, along with the church and Prenzel at Whitford, will be open for visitors to view an array of floral styles and colour themes.

Some will take an extremely modern approach such as gold, green and red, black, white and orange, green, gold and white, black and white, and silver and white.

Summer flowers, such as roses and lisianthus, along with large chunks of greenery will be used to portray a Kiwi Christmas.

WHERE & WHEN Christmas Homes with Flowers Where: Private addresses at Golflands, Dannemora and Whitford. When: 10am-4pm, Friday December 4 and Saturday December 5. Cost: Tickets $30, only one entry to each home. For more details, phone Susan Armstrong on (09) 535-4593 or email barmy@ihug.co.nz

And, a modern slant on a traditional song, A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree will be a theme in one of the driveways.

“We are aiming for over the top arrangements and hope the results will be splendid,” says Susan Armstrong, Howick Floral Circle treasurer and one of the organisers.

Most of the 70 members are playing some part in the event.