At this time of year, a visit to broadcaster Toni Street’s home feels something like a trip to Santa’s grotto. Giant inflatable Christmas trees and reindeer dance in the breeze at the front of her beachside home on Auckland’s North Shore, fences and trees are lit up by hundreds of glittering fairy lights, and solar-powered candy canes light the path to the front door, where a vintage post box sits for neighbourhood children to send their letters to the North Pole.
On the door hangs a magnificent wreath and carols can be heard blaring inside pretty much around the clock. One almost expects to be greeted by the big man himself, but no, it’s Toni who opens the door to welcome The Weekly in and it’s she who is responsible for this extreme take on Christmas. Not even the most committed Grinch could fail to be charmed by her enthusiasm for the season.
“People must think I’m totally bananas,” laughs the Coast radio star as she gives us a tour. Pointing to a corner of her lounge where snow-dusted hedgehogs, mice, polar bears and a family of deer are artfully placed, Toni explains, “There’s the winter wonderland section.”
“I actually kind of like all the stress and the running around because there’s such a buzz.”
Next stop is her collection of musical scenes displayed on the hallway table – a vintage toy shop with elves busily going about their work, miniature ice-skaters whizzing around a frozen lake and a vintage train chugging its way along a railway track to cheery Christmas music.
In another corner sits an
