DESPITE the cold and dark evenings, the Newtown St Boswells community came out in force last weekend to celebrate the return of the Christmas season.
On Sunday, November 27 residents of the village met at Milestone Garden Centre at 4.30pm for the Christmas fancy dress competition, with youngsters decked out in their best festive costumes.
Elves, angels and the Three Wise Men all joined in the celebrations.
Following the judging and prizegiving, the gathering paraded from the garden centre to the Christmas tree at Scottish Borders Council headquarters for a switch-on ceremony at 5.45pm.
On the tree were decorations made by local schoolchildren, as well as those hung up by families in memory of loved ones no longer here.
Following the switch-on, everyone enjoyed the stalls and treats at the Christmas Fair held in the Community Wing, where there was a raffle, tombola and hot drinks to help warm people up.
And around the village music could be heard as Santa was driven around the area, saying hello to children before heading back to the North Pole.
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