Store manager Jane Jessen said the tree was all about customers purchasing an item, or bring one into the store or taking a bauble off the tree to donate to families in need. She emphasised the local aspect of the tree.

"All your donations will go to local communities, nothing goes anywhere else. Anything people give here will be given out locally," she said.

"It will go through the Salvation Army and they will be keeping very close to all the fire victims as well, to make sure they get something as well because they'll be in need this year.

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"KMart has donated the first two presents for this year to start the Christmas Tree off."

KMart team member Margaret McLean said all the team members supported the spirit of the tree.

"It's a great time of the year and we pass it on to everyone,' she said.

"We have a choir that comes from Ben Venue School and today they did a wonderful job.

"We see a lot of children in and out each and every day whether they're shopping with mum, dad or just coming in on their own."

Jane said, with the day just around the corner, the store's Christmas stock was arriving.

"We are starting to get busier which is really good too," she said.

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