Another empty gesture?? - bell ringing in Xmas eve

[YogaLite]

Is there no end to stupidity??


www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-55394253

[MariaTia]

Just as well we've all got bells in our house

I don't think it's a good idea and will encourage neighbours to mix which is the last thing we need right now

[Witchend]

Hmm.
Not sure how it's meant to combat loneliness.

Hearing all the bells and seeing couple standing together chatting would rub it in.

[AliasGrape]

This thread has already been done.

If you think it's stupid and empty don't take part. Hardly difficult.

[Soubriquet]

It was originally started for children to raise spirit for Santa, not loneliness

We have bells ready but we are doing it for Santa

[xmasfairybuns]

It includes the "Christmas Eve Jingle" as well as a plea to people to pick up the telephone and speak to loved ones who may be suffering from loneliness.

(from the news website). So all those people without friends are going to be so miserable when their phone doesn't ring.

I hate the events like this as I go to my drive and see all the families together and the couples laughing and having fun and just feel more lonely because they don't even acknowledge that I am there. I don't go and join them as I come into contact with covid a lot at work and so don't want to spread it in case I'm carrying it.

[InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere]

The bell ringing is mainly for the children after such a shit year, if you don't like it and think it's stupid then don't participate. No one is forcing you to😑

[AcornAutumn]

I hope no one in mum’s road is stupid enough to do it

There will be a couple of elderly folk alone and it will make them feel much worse

I live a in a rough part of town so I don’t imagine anyone will be that daft.

[AcornAutumn]

Never heard anything about children

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-thousands-sign-up-to-christmas-eve-bell-ringing-campaign-to-spread-hope-and-togetherness-12169193?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter

[Angel2702]

It’s for the kids who can’t be with family, haven’t been able to visit a grotto or any festive events it just something to do and make Christmas Eve less like yet another day Ian lockdown.

[smilingthroughgrittedteeth]

I saw this a couple of days ago as something for children to do, ring the bells for santa and his reindeer to hear then the press got hold of the story amd twisted it to being about combating loneliness which was never the intended purpose

[AcornAutumn]

@Angel2702

It’s for the kids who can’t be with family, haven’t been able to visit a grotto or any festive events it just something to do and make Christmas Eve less like yet another day Ian lockdown.

Where have people heard this please?

[InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere]

They've heard it from the group on Facebook that was set up ages ago before the media got hold of it.

From the teachers at school, friends, family.

Some schools have helped children create their own bells for the night, some teachers have even gifted children.

[MariaTia]

So all those people without friends are going to be so miserable when their phone doesn't ring.

Could really send people over the edge couldn't it who were feeling shit already

[InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere]

harrogate.mumbler.co.uk/christmas-eve-jingle-2020/

[GingerbreadPlease]

In our area it's part of the Santa Trail kids are doing round our estate on Christmas Eve (similar to the pumpkin trail on Halloween). Some fun for the kids.

[AcornAutumn]

@InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere

They've heard it from the group on Facebook that was set up ages ago before the media got hold of it.

From the teachers at school, friends, family.

Some schools have helped children create their own bells for the night, some teachers have even gifted children.

Oh right

I hope Johnson doesn’t mention it today.

[AlwaysLatte]

don't think it's a good idea and will encourage neighbours to mix which is the last thing we need right now
I thought the idea was to stand In your own front gardens though?

[EverythingsComingUpRoses]

So no one is allowed to do anything to cheer themselves up in case it makes anyone else feel bad?

Utter bollocks

If people want to stand on their doorsteps and jingle a bell, let them crack on!

[AlwaysLatte]

I think it's a nice idea as long as it doesn't involve saucepans.
I would probably join in except no one would hear me so it would be a bit pointless.
I do think some of these events go back to tribes banging drums to communicate. It's probably in our make up to feel the urge to do it.

[dementedma]

I actually quite like this idea. Imagine being an excited wee one on Christmas Eve hearing all the bells ringing

[halcyondays]

Seems like a nice idea for young children.t

[InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere]

@AcornAutumn and others. Instead of slamming an idea and calling others stupid for participating why don't you do something to help the lonely? Or perhaps start a petition to cancel Christmas and other festivities in general because they are the number one cause to send people's mental health plummeting.

I by no means downplay mental health, I understand the impact it has on a person and how worse it can get at this time of year. And I do get your view point. I understand how crappy it can make people feel and how it will weigh heavy on certain families/people.

But this is, well it was supposed to be, for the children to bring them some joy and comfort after a horrific year, and fingers crossed, it will bring some sort of comfort to those that are lonely.

My mum is spending her first Christmas on her own in over 50 years and lives on a street mainly of families with young children, she has a bell and has told me she's looking forward to seeing the families in their gardens.

[HeronLanyon]

soubriquet yours made me laugh. I also knew it originally to be children ringing for Santa (which I don’t agree with - Santa is a quiet and magical arrival - no bells or human intervention of any sort necessary).
Anyway please tell me you are all wearing t shirts or handknits with - ‘this is for Santa not loneliness’

[AcornAutumn]

[quote InsertCoolHalloweenNameHere]@AcornAutumn and others. Instead of slamming an idea and calling others stupid for participating why don't you do something to help the lonely? Or perhaps start a petition to cancel Christmas and other festivities in general because they are the number one cause to send people's mental health plummeting.

I by no means downplay mental health, I understand the impact it has on a person and how worse it can get at this time of year. And I do get your view point. I understand how crappy it can make people feel and how it will weigh heavy on certain families/people.

But this is, well it was supposed to be, for the children to bring them some joy and comfort after a horrific year, and fingers crossed, it will bring some sort of comfort to those that are lonely.

My mum is spending her first Christmas on her own in over 50 years and lives on a street mainly of families with young children, she has a bell and has told me she's looking forward to seeing the families in their gardens.[/quote]
Insert

I honestly had no idea it was about children, I’ve said that.

The only stuff I’ve seen was about lonely people- my sister is alone at Xmas due to rules, as a few of mum’s neighbours are, so it’s not that I’m not thinking of the lonely. I live alone and frankly it’s not good for me that my only company for months was/is an elderly lady who needs care.

I just cannot see how this helps anyone. If I heard people making a noise that I thought was to mark my loneliness I’d feel worse.

People planning fun activities for kids, great, but watch out there might be somebody who rings the police if MN is anything to go by.

What these people should do, and what I do, is write to MPs etc trying to get these draconian inhuman measures lifted. That will help people who are lonely.

[PomBearWithoutHerOFRS]

Where are people supposed to get the bells?