Surprise package a Christmas treat | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A mystery food package brought the spirit of Christmas to Avriel Teague.

For the past two years the New Brighton resident, who is in her late 60s, has received the package at her door in time for the 25th but with no trace of who or where it is from.

The packages contain festive food items including Christmas cake and mince pies, salmon, shortbread, jelly and after-dinner mints.

Some of her neighbours have also received packages and some have received them for several years.

Teague said the packages reminded her of what Christmas was all about.

"Maybe the persons will realise just how grateful people are for the anonymous gifts and know it's the true spirit of Christmas when a person will give anonymously with no thought of getting anything in return.

"This is one way I can thank the people for their thoughtfulness. It's just a beautiful gesture and the person involved can see it is appreciated very very much," she said.

Teague used the food this year to share a Christmas dinner with nine members of her family.

She plans to save the Christmas cake for a mid-winter celebration.

She said she had rung a few organisations last year such as the Red Cross to see if they were behind the package but has decided she does not want to know who it is.

"These people want to remain anonymous and if it gives them the pleasure to give to people without receiving anything in return, I'll leave it at that," she said.