Showing the lighter side of the New Zealand Defence Force, our personnel serving overseas have donned Santa costumes and hats as they send heart-warming Christmas messages to their loved ones back home.

Three NZDF personnel working as Military Observers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in the Golan Heights produced a skit and improvised on the lyrics of the popular Christmas carol 'Away in a Manger”, while troops in Iraq's Camp Taji danced to the tune of 'Jingle Bells”.

More than 180 sailors, soldiers and airmen serving in 12 NZDF missions overseas will be spending Christmas away from home.

About 91 per cent are based in the Middle East.

Some are serving in active war zones, eight are at Scott Base in Antarctica, and three in South Sudan.