After months of planning and preparation the lavish displays - which rival city department stores - were uncovered to an excited crowd, who enjoyed late night shopping, champagne and sweet treats from Hastings Co-op’s new venture, Stirling Green Café.

Manager Judy Standring said each of the four windows in this year’s display had different themes, and many visitors on the night commented that it was “one of the best yet”.

“Each window has intricate figurines, animated characters and sparkling colour and the children in particular will love the winter wonderland window filled with polar bears and penguins,” Mrs Standring said.

Hastings Co-op chief executive officer Allan Gordon said The Department Store’s team had raised the bar once again.

“The Christmas displays have become a Wauchope tradition and we have people travelling from as far at the Macleay, Coffs Coast, Manning and Hunter valleys to appreciate them,” he said.

“This is a labour of love, which Judy and her creative team have been work on since February.”

Wauchope people have been posting compliments about the Department Store window on Facebook.

Trace Barron said it was absolutely stunning, Sharon Smyth said: “Amazing, as per usual,” Vicki Williamson said it was really beautiful. Sandi Philllpott said: “Beautiful job as always” and Jackie McCutcheon wrote: “What a lovely tradition.”

To cement the Department Store’s reputation for being Christmas Central in Wauchope, the dates for the Annual Christmas Sale Days and in-store Santa photos were also announced.

The Annual Christmas Sale Days (formerly known as the Shareholder Shopping Days) will be held on December 9 and 10 and Santa photos will be taken by Melissa Lee Photography on December 3, 10 and 17.

Attractions at this year’s Annual Christmas Sale Days include booking signings with author Di Morrissey, cooking demonstrations with Eric Robertson, local produce tastings, a 100-year birthday cake, Santa photos, a 2MC live broadcast and performance by Upper Rollands Plains Public School.