A bauble-sized Christmas mailbox challenge has been issued for residents living in the country community west of Port Macquarie and it has sent tinsel aflutter as households not only compete for the top prize of sun and sand, but make a further commitment to ending the year as a community united.

Community spirit was solidified in the small village last summer when bushfires tore a path across the Mid North Coast forcing anyone its is path to hunker down and simply survive.

Black Summer put small communities like Rollands Plains on the map as residents faced the horror with a steely resilience that showed the rest of us just how people in the country get things done.

For mailbox challenge organiser and local, Fiona Ninness, the competition is more than just a bit of fun. It's a thank you and a pat on the back for every neighbour, volunteer and business who stepped up when the going got tough.

"It's been a horrible year. We thought it was about time we put a bit of sparkle back into things," Ms Ninness said.

The idea for a festive and friendly mailbox competition came from community resilience meetings hosted by Resilience NSW, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and residents post-fires.

"We talked about things we could do right now to lift everyone's spirits."

Ms Ninness said the community held a market day in November and despite the searing heat, was a space for residents to reconnect, share a yarn and just check in on how everyone was going after a year impacted by even more challenge.

The market raised more than $1500, all of which went straight back into supporting the Rollands Plains Rural Fire Brigade.

"I think we're all just looking to move on from this year and get on with it. That's just what we do out here."

All Christmas mailboxes will be posted to the Rollands Plains community Facebook page up until Christmas eve with the top five entries to be selected by a panel of judges. The winner will earn for themselves a generously donated five-night holiday to Magnetic Island thanks to Sam Buzzo.

"We are pretty amazed with the prize. We were hoping for a six-pack or bottle of wine at best. It's great." Ms Ninness said.

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