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Original poster

To ask if anyone’s had carol singers this year ?

120 replies

Jumell · 16/12/2024 17:21

And if so, how many ?

in 1982 a group of us went carol singing and raised some money for the children’s ward at the local hospital. Just before Xmas, a few of us in the group actually visited the ward to give them the money we’d raised.

it seems like a different era now

.SIGHHHHHH

OP posts:
Original poster
Jumell · 16/12/2024 19:31

Shutupyoutart · 16/12/2024 19:29

I had two teenage lads this evening, they called a few days ago and started singing jingle bells, badly I might add. I told them sorry I had no change which I didn't, they came back tonight again and sang the same song forgot the words midway through I gave them 2e and they went off on their way 😂

Excellent!! 🤣

OP posts:
Shutupyoutart · 16/12/2024 19:29

I had two teenage lads this evening, they called a few days ago and started singing jingle bells, badly I might add. I told them sorry I had no change which I didn't, they came back tonight again and sang the same song forgot the words midway through I gave them 2e and they went off on their way 😂

Spaceid · 16/12/2024 19:11

No thank goodness!! It sounds so awkward and I don’t keep any cash.

GroovyChick87 · 16/12/2024 19:10

I've never seen them in my life.

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/12/2024 19:09

Haven’t had them at the house since the 80s but there are sometimes singers in Tescos. The other night it was a group of Beavers. Very cute.

lifebyfaith · 16/12/2024 19:02

I had a group of kids come carol singing where I used to live - it was about 2009 I think. The year, not the amount of kids!

Not seen any since.

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 16/12/2024 19:00

We're going Carol singing on Thursday. We don't knock on doors, but stand in various places around the parish. We get loads of open windows, a handful of people who come out and join us and lots of thanks.
I don't think we collect money either.

And we end up in the local pub singing with whoever is there. That's prearranged with the landlord!

Vettrianofan · 16/12/2024 18:55

Mylifeisamesssuchamess · 16/12/2024 17:23

I'm in my 40s and have never had carol singers come around.

Same.

Auburngal · 16/12/2024 18:36

Talking early 90s here. As a Guide, we did carol singing over three nights - each day in a different part of the village.

We sang on street corners, middle of cul de sacs etc.

Auburngal · 16/12/2024 18:33

Not yet

Usually get a few teen lads just singing the first line of a few carols - badly and they want money.

Get lost

saveforthat · 16/12/2024 18:23

Toopulululu · 16/12/2024 17:35

I haven’t had carol singers since about 1993.

One of my main childhood memories is my dad shouting “you’re too early” through the door.

Oh God yes. My Dad did this too and made them sing a whole carol before handing over any money, otherwise you would just hear Hark the Herald Angels....and they would be on to the next house.

user2848502016 · 16/12/2024 18:19

Not seen any since the 90s!

Not sure how I'd feel about random Carol singers turning up tbh, I usually don't have cash these days as I just use my card, and standing there listening to them seems awkward

ItGhoul · 16/12/2024 18:15

How many more posts are you going to make about how much better everything was in the 1980s?

I can't ever remember having carol singers come round, even when I was a kid in the 80s.

The reason hardly anyone does it is because going door to door asking for cash is a really ineffective way to raise money. Much better to sing as a choir in a town centre on a Saturday and get donations that way.

jackstini · 16/12/2024 18:10

Not had any to the house in years

I do go and carol sing at various care homes though with a couple of different groups and it's wonderful

The way they join in when they recognise the carols is fabulous - it starts my Christmas off properly

ShodAndShadySenators · 16/12/2024 18:02

Calliopespa · 16/12/2024 17:39

That’s what I was going to say too. I think we value privacy/ not being disturbed more these days - I guess because once people only had a couple of television stations to liven up the evening. Now there’s Netflix, internet etc etc and people just find being unexpectedly visited … a pain.

Im always amazed however by how many people buy into Halloween.

Show quote history

But Halloween is ONE night, between the hours of 4pm and 8pm, roughly. That's totally different from one or more people turning up at your door randomly in - you hope - December.

I had "carol singers" once. It was two lads about 10 or 11, and they launched into We Wish You A Merry Christmas the moment I opened the door. They were already holding out their money collecting bowl while repeating We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year" over and over, like they didn't know any other words.

I'm afraid the 'tism struck my appalled self and I couldn't cope with it, just mumbled "Sorry" and closed the door quickly. (Possibly if I wasn't autistic I could have managed more appropriately but it was after work and I was too tired, I just panicked.)

Octavia64 · 16/12/2024 17:50

I'm in two choirs and a band.

This time of year is insanely busy as we do carolling for all three!

The band is usually booked to play carols at Christmas markets - both the kind you pay to get in and the kind where it's at a garden centre or wherever. We also play in our town centre - this needs a music licence.

Both choirs sing at shopping malls - we get invited as it adds to the Christmas atmosphere. My little local village one also sings at local pubs, campfire carols outside the church etc.

You can raise hundreds for charity in a morning carolling in a busy place.

Door to door doesn't raise much money.

Original poster
Jumell · 16/12/2024 17:48

DuckonaBike · 16/12/2024 17:46

Often people request a favourite carol and then join in!

This sounds so nice - I love this kind of thing ❤️

OP posts:
DuckonaBike · 16/12/2024 17:46

Often people request a favourite carol and then join in!

Original poster
Jumell · 16/12/2024 17:45

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 16/12/2024 17:43

Do you just stand there a bit goenlessly while they sing at you?

Yes it’s a bit like when in work people crowd round your table singing Happy Birthday 🎂to you

OP posts:
Original poster
Jumell · 16/12/2024 17:44

DuckonaBike · 16/12/2024 17:42

We go carol singing every year where I live. The organiser asks (on community WhatsApp) who would like a carol, and we go to their doors and sing, generally getting treats in return. We end up in the pub. We don’t collect money. I absolutely love it.

The town centre also has the Sally Army band every Saturday in December. I realise I should be very grateful to live where I do!

That sounds lovely 😊

and the WhatsApp seems like a 2024 take on traditional carolling

OP posts:
FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 16/12/2024 17:43

Do you just stand there a bit goenlessly while they sing at you?

Calliopespa · 16/12/2024 17:43

Emotionalsupporthamster · 16/12/2024 17:40

I’ve never in my entire life had carol singers round the door. I thought it was a Victorian thing.

I did it a few times as a child ( and I’m not Victorian!) 1980s…

DuckonaBike · 16/12/2024 17:42

We go carol singing every year where I live. The organiser asks (on community WhatsApp) who would like a carol, and we go to their doors and sing, generally getting treats in return. We end up in the pub. We don’t collect money. I absolutely love it.

The town centre also has the Sally Army band every Saturday in December. I realise I should be very grateful to live where I do!

Needmorelego · 16/12/2024 17:41

@Jumell I used to see school choirs singing in a local shopping centre. It would be during school hours when (in theory) shoppers would be out and about.
Unfortunately that particular shopping centre is almost dead as a dodo so no one goes there so I don't know if the choirs still perform.
Several years ago I saw a group singing a gospel style Christmas song. The children were probably all aged around 8 - 11 and they were fantastic. It was a song I had ever heard before.

Original poster
Jumell · 16/12/2024 17:40

Calliopespa · 16/12/2024 17:39

That’s what I was going to say too. I think we value privacy/ not being disturbed more these days - I guess because once people only had a couple of television stations to liven up the evening. Now there’s Netflix, internet etc etc and people just find being unexpectedly visited … a pain.

Im always amazed however by how many people buy into Halloween.

Show quote history

This explanation for the societal shift is so true I think

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