I am the ‘spoiler’ in my street! No outside lights or decs. I do like a tree, or greenery, with lights indoors though, as I feel it is cosy and celebrates Winter.
I have very mixed feelings about Christmas -personal and philosophical (and because I work over Christmas). I do keep some nods to it, partly to evoke memories of family and childhood I suppose, but I am a fan of making things individual and unique too.
I buy one or two packs of cards, from the local hospice charity, and they are just for close family or friends. I am gradually reducing presents by working on the givers to calm down and save themselves some money and time.
Thank you,@BenCotto. My neighbors wrap lights around all their tree trunks and I just can't go there. Way too much work for me. In fact, they're out this evening doing just that. I have to get through Thanksgiving before I can do Christmas lights.
@Bullfinch, your cards are just lovely. Is that cross-stitch? or embroidery? I used to make tree ornaments with cross-stitch swatches attached to canning jar disks. Lots of fun! I've given them all away as gifts now.
I make my own Christmas cards - about 60 or so. I really enjoy it and the reactions of the recipients. And I confess, I do like glitter - if you can't have glitter at Christmas, when can you have it.? But it's too messy to use for the cards I make. However the holographic paper I use a lot probably has a plastic element. Christmas needs to be sparkly in my book..……...
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Most paper is made from managed forests, and if we don’t use paper then they wouldn’t be managed and jobs in the industry would drop. So while I generally agree it’s good not to consume stuff unnecessarily I think sending a few cards once a year is a good exception. I don’t like glitter tho anyway.
I'm not into the whole 'cards' thing... seems a bit of a pointless carry-over from the days when it was difficult to keep in touch with people by other means. And the whole social politics thing of keeping tally of who sent you a card last year, should you send relative x a card this time, etc etc… the whole thing seems like a lot of emotional labour to spend over something that goes in the bin on New Years Day. Spend that energy actually catching up with people who really matter most to you in person!
Sometimes it's not that easy though @WillDB. I am still in touch with people that l haven't seen for years (and not just at Christmas), sometimes by new fangled things like email, and sometimes old fashioned means like letters. Things such as age and logistical difficulties mean we are unlikely to meet up in person again, but we do still care for each other. You are right, it's a generation thing, and there are those who look on it as a kind of competition (don't get me started on those round robin things ! ). l'm sure it will eventually die out, but as long as there is some way of showing people we are thinking about them whether in person or not, that's fine by me .
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Is there some innuendo intended?
I have very mixed feelings about Christmas -personal and philosophical (and because I work over Christmas). I do keep some nods to it, partly to evoke memories of family and childhood I suppose, but I am a fan of making things individual and unique too.
I buy one or two packs of cards, from the local hospice charity, and they are just for close family or friends. I am gradually reducing presents by working on the givers to calm down and save themselves some money and time.
You are right, it's a generation thing, and there are those who look on it as a kind of competition (don't get me started on those round robin things ! ).
l'm sure it will eventually die out, but as long as there is some way of showing people we are thinking about them whether in person or not, that's fine by me