Christmas lights


Recommended Posts

I’ve just driven from Norwell, north of Newark, to Bleasby. It was fascinating to see the displays of Christmas lights in the villages and in Southwell. I’ve never seen such a load of tacky rubbish in all my life. Many of them are a serious traffic hazard and distract drivers. For sheer tackiness though, those at a bungalow on Station Rd. at Fiskerton beat them all. The front garden is packed solid with a mass of garish lighting. It really is worth a trip out from Nottingham just to view it. To be fair he is asking for donations to the air ambulance. I was caught in a queue of cars as people were stopping to view them. So called ‘Christmas’ really has reverted to the pagan festival it originally was. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Replies 105
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

It seems that there are a number of cases of miserablegititis going around Notts at the moment. If people want to brighten up their homes with Christmas lights then good on them. Have a look at t

Not really and it's not just you Col,  it's everywhere, ooo it's too commercialised, ooo it's lost all meaning, ooo it's just an excuse for bad behaviour etc. etc. True enough but it's also a time for

Although we're not miserable or morose,  Tina and don't bother with Christmas, but that is our choice. We've not given each other presents for years. If we want anything, we just get it, if we can aff

We don’t even put up a Christmas tree (no room in our small bungalow anyway)

All I have is a rustic Nativity - Paul made the stable over 50 years ago and I dressed two little dolls as Mary and Joseph.  Baby Jesus used to be a little boy cake decoration but I swaddled him in white bias binding!  
The manger is a matchbox.  Over the years we’ve had various stars, and angels with cake doily wings that the children made at school.  I love it….

….and a singing Santa that someone gave us !!!

Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, philmayfield said:

I’ve never seen such a load of tacky rubbish in all my life.

Your tacky is someones idea of celebration. I bet the kids love it..

Link to post
Share on other sites

One year my son sent a photo of his fully decorated tree adorning his lounge about a week before Christmas.  Mrs Engineer responded with a photo of our loft hatch with the caption "our tree is in here".  I don't really 'do' Christmas.

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
2 hours ago, philmayfield said:

For sheer tackiness though, those at a bungalow on Station Rd. at Fiskerton beat them all. The front garden is packed solid with a mass of garish lighting. It really is worth a trip out from Nottingham just to view it.

He’s done this for the last few years and raises money for charity. I think I’ve got a photo from last year if I can find it. I'll take one anyway when I’m passing in a day or so.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a fully paid up member of the Bah Humbug! brigade but if people want to surround themselves with flashing tat, that's their choice. It has nothing whatever to do with Christmas so far as I can see but each to their own. I don't celebrate Christmas but on Christmas Eve, I sit and listen to plainchant by candlelight and remember the Christmases of my childhood. No tree, no fairy lights and no trimmings.  After Christmas Eve, it's all over for another year. To me, there has always been something timeless about Christmas Eve.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

It seems that there are a number of cases of miserablegititis going around Notts at the moment.

If people want to brighten up their homes with Christmas lights then good on them. Have a look at the faces of the kids when they see them, that alone makes it worthwhile.

Some bright lights and well done displays surely brighten up the dark gloomy days of a UK winter.

Here it is the exact opposite, many decorate their houses with lights and displays but the littlies have to stay up until after nine to see the full effect.

After almost 50 years here I still can't get used to going into the shopping centres in shorts and tee shirt on a 30+ degree day and the muzak is playing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" or some other snow based Christmas Song or carol.

I am totally over the crass commercialisation of Christmas and for us it is a time to get together with family and good friends, have a meal or BBQ, a few drinks and a swim.

For those who wish to celebrate part of their Christmas in worship then good on them too. We need peace and tolerance more than ever after the year we have just had.

  • Like 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

I spent part of my afternoon fixing a new set of multi-coloured twinkly lights to the guttering on the canopy roof which runs the width of the front of our house.  Once I checked that they are working correctly, I switched them off. 

 

Thing is, I fitted the lights in order to comply with our Cul De Sac's "Whatsapp Group Lighting Regulations (Festive Season) Order: 2021."  Under said regulations, the lights will remain off until they are switched on after a countdown by the very few small children in the street, at the appointed time on the 3rd December, after which there will be a brief period of conviviality, drinking and joviality out in the street, until such time as we all get bored, cold or both and come back indoors. For so is it written.

 

Being a miserable sod who prefers the Christmas season to be as brief as possible, I voted for a much later date, such as 10th or 17th, but was outvoted by the terminally impatient.

 

In earlier years, I used to put up lights on the top gutter, along the lead flashing of the canopy roof below, and on the canopy gutter, as well as lights inside windows.  I now just put up the one set, plus a few red lights casually strewn along the windowboard inside the front window, But I will not put up the red ones until Mrs Col puts the tree up.

 

It's being so cheerful keeps me going.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well said Oz, for some reason there are those that seem to have turned being curmudgeonly into a virtue, especially at this time of year when they can claim some sort of high ground by demonstrating the fine art of being bloody miserable.

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

:angry: Brew, I really hope that you don't take my 'faux' curmudgeonliness seriously. I not a miserable git regarding Christmas.  I'm a miserable git all year round.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Not really and it's not just you Col,  it's everywhere, ooo it's too commercialised, ooo it's lost all meaning, ooo it's just an excuse for bad behaviour etc. etc. True enough but it's also a time for hugs n kisses and "ahh you shouldn't have".

 

Those not 'doing Christmas' are fine but why do they need to brag about it as though it's something clever? What exactly is it about Christmas that people  get upset about? We get prezzies, good food, family and friends what's not to like? At the end of the day it's exactly what you make of it.

  • Like 5
  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I admire people who put on a Christmas light display and raise money for charity by doing so.  I understand there’s a family in Nuthall who’ve been doing this for years and raised a hell of a lot of money.  Good on them, I say.  If they can be bothered to set it all up in their front garden, use their own electricity and accept that people from far and wide will come gawping into their patch then good on ‘em.  I couldn’t/wouldn’t be bothered doing such a charitable thing but it’s nice that some do.  

 

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

Although we're not miserable or morose,  Tina and don't bother with Christmas, but that is our choice. We've not given each other presents for years. If we want anything, we just get it, if we can afford it. This came about after losing our youngest son at Christmas. We kept it going for the benefit of our other son, but when he died in my arms, that was it ! finished. We feel our loss most at this time of year.

We do get together with family, but this is always the 1st or 2nd weekend in December. Hence the visits to Thoresby hall each year. It is difficult for us if we are with other people's grandchildren, that's when it hits home, knowing we can never have any to dote on. That's why I jokingly asked if anybody wanted to adopt a grandad ! So there you are, we just maintain a low profile.

 

  • Like 4
  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

@Beekay one of the main reasons why I don't make a fuss of Christmas is because it is the time in my family when, if anyone is going to die or a catastrophe occurs, that is when it happens. My mother lost her own mother on Christmas Eve, ten years before I was born. Although we had wonderful Christmases when I was a child (and they didn't start in August!) we were always aware of mum's sorrow for that loss and others that had happened at the festive season.  This went back in time to the days when my mother was a child because her mother didn't like Christmas either, despite being a devout churchgoer.

 

I just grit my teeth and wait for it to pass in the hope that the Sword of Damocles is not going to fall this particular year.

 

It is a painful time for many people who, far from 'bragging' about their non-participation, just prefer to ignore it.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I sympathise with you BK. Last year’s cancelled Christmas was my best ever! Being neither a Christian nor a Pagan it doesn’t affect me. I do however think it’s a good boost for business and commerce and it does brighten up the lives of many people at this dark, cold and miserable time of the year. I’m not feeling miserable though, I opened the curtains this morning and watched a beautiful sunrise over the Trent Hills whilst lying cosily in my bed! If only my wife had made me a cooked breakfast my morning would have been perfect!

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I prefer a just few decorations, mostly LED lights, but my wife enjoys the season (we're not anyway religious and me totally agnostic) with a tree, door wreath and illumuninated garlands etc.

 

I cannot abide those disguting plastic santas, reindeer, sledges which appear as ridiculous tat which only fund the pockets of the Chinese manufacturers and just empasise the poor taste of the individuals who erect them and think they are being trendy.

 

I would rather spend this outlay on decent wines, champers, Tarquins (Blackberry) and grub, which I have done. Good old Braithwaites, M&S et al. Cheers.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, Alpha said:

I cannot abide those disguting plastic santas, reindeer, sledges which appear as ridiculous tat which only fund the pockets of the Chinese manufacturers and just empasise the poor taste of the individuals who erect them and think they are being trendy.

 

I'm sure we value your opinion Alpha, care to tell us exactly what is disgusting about a plastic Santa and why the rest of the paraphernalia you mention is ridiculous tat?

Who would you say is the arbiter of taste and refinement that decided individuals with temerity to put on such displays are so crass?

Perhaps you could also tell us where your non-Chinese LED lights and decorations were made.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
25 minutes ago, AfferGorritt said:

My heart goes out to you, BK. Words totally inadequate - so I’ll shut up.

No need to shut up Affer, the simple fact you took time to respond means a whole lot more to me than presents could. That's why I love Nottstalgians and it's members. Cheers mate !

Link to post
Share on other sites

We all have our opinions about Christmas Alpha and are free to express them. I agree there is a proliferation of tat around during this season of goodwill but it helps to keep some people happy. It will be all over soon and Spring will soon be here. Tatty Easter eggs and bunnies next!

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Well Brew,

to see on a bright winter day, partially deflated santas etc, blowing aimlessly in the breeze, tied up with string, is not what I would regard as seasonal decorations. Traditionally, holly with berries etc, (the birds, unfortuneatly, have feasted on the usual crop), I feel is far more appealing than partially deflated economy flashing decorations.

 

I am personally indifferent to mass seasonal lighting though a few, I agree, may enhance the spirit of the season. I do tend to indulge my wife and trditionally decorate our home as she would like. As for the seasonal spirit, I readily celebrate with a glass or two,  three or more, and savour the delights of the table, with natural festive decorations I foraged locally.

 

As for the decorative lights, I know they're made in China, I would not have bought them if it was just for me. I would have bought more locally produced sparkling wine enjoyed with sliced ham off the bone with diffused lighting by lighted candles. Seasonal greeting to you all.

 

 

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Mrs Cs dad covers his bungalow with a myriad of LEDs & numerous flashing Chrismas  decorations every year.

Airline pilots on final approach to EMA know when to start their descent I am told.

It takes all kinds I suppose.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...