Thought about this thread and Xmas from a 50-something pov. As a kid, the Xmas decs seemed to be up forever - so much so the house looked tangibly different - empty - when they came down. But: We were only allowed to put decs up one week after my birthday. So 19th December!! They came down 4th Jan if I recall. Since we started a family of our own, I tempered the kids excitement of the festivities with the grumpy dad impression, bah humbug etc. But I caved in as they grew and we allowed them to put them up on my birthday - 12th. It's got gradually earlier. After a sh1tty couple of years working from home, you realise just how quickly the years go by now, so I have now gone full circle and we will start decorating the house and garden this coming week. Why the hell not? Harmless fun and a reminder of happier times. I even have my Xmas playlist ready on Spotify and it will have its first airing today after Popmaster. And I'm not ashamed. And you know how quick the years go by when you hear Fairytale of New York and it seems like it was only on a few weeks ago And does anyone still have crepe-paper based decorations and put cards up on string on the wall held up by drawing pins? Ho ho ho
Put ours up yesterday, no lights outside yet didn't want to do a Griswald in the icey and snowy conditions. Been a rubbish year, and love the build up to Christmas, music, films, food and ale.
Ours went up over the weekend (a week later than last year) and I got my first turkey dinner of the season for the privilege. Not too many up in the vicinity though, had a walk yesterday evening and only saw a handful, so locally, they don't seem to have gone up any earlier than last year, though last year was definitely earlier than usual.
The adding new stuff each year makes you realise it takes half day to decorate. Started with a tree and 1 box of decs, now 3 big boxes of decs and outdoor lights.
Lovely post - Eldest daughter was born 16 Dec so Christmas decorations never went up before her birthday. Son born Jan 6 (not following year!) so decorations came down on Jan 5. there's tidy! p.s. what is crepe paper ?
needed google's help re. above -- eek! -- didn't do that in Merthyr Tydfil! but could have done with some of that when mother-in-law used to roll up each Christmas morning - garbed from head to toe in black and full of joy (I think not!)
An old workmate of mine used to say "Whoever invented decorating wants fu****g, and whoever invented fu****g wants decorating." Pearls of wisdom for a sixteen year old apprentice.
Almost identical Taff. My daughter born Jan 4 and son born Dec 16. Making it a very expensive time of year.