to send 2 lads carol singing off with nothing but a flea in their ear

[kizzie]

I was just a bit suprised and said 'its a bit early isnt it - and I havent got any change anyway'.

(It was just for them - not charity)

They'll probably throw rubbish in my garden now.

Is it too early - or i am just being a misery? In the couple of weeks leading up to christmas I always keep some change in the hall and give them some no matter how bad they are.

so

how do you make people at your door sing?

Yes and when they had finished...a pause before a small sniff and a deadpan face.

Oh that has tickled me

I'm another one who makes them sing a proper carol.
A couple of years ago a cuple of 14 year olds appeared and sang a very a mumbled first verse of Away in a manger - I told them to sing the other verses if tey wanted some money - I even started them off.

They were so embarrassed

Your carol displeases me. It is not real

DH once opened the door to two lads who just said "we're carol singers" - no attempt to sing anything.

maybe there was some hesitation as your neighbour had just released them from a half nelson after shrieking, 'REAL..OR...NO...DEAL'

I used to go caroling with my local church (can't this year due to extreme pgcy!) and we just stood on street, didn't knock on doors and if people wanted to come out and listen they could. However we didn't actually collect any money - though we were offered some which we put in the church collection. And we were actually very good, had a couple of people playing instruments as well.
We normally did it in the week before Xmas.

that is ok, I thought it was something bad!

No, no half nelson, usually I do the deadpan face and raised eyebrow, anyone in the house who is young points, laughs, chatters etc the dog is usually good for sticking its head through the line up somewhere and mirroring my deadpan raised eyebrow.

Of course we all smile encouragingly when they stumble and stutter at the less well known words of the later verses

Oh, you don't need a £20, you just start riffling through your pockets giving the appearence that you are going to get out wads of cash!

BT, that sounds really nice, I would have got everyone in the house out for that - and there would have been no raised eyebrows or pointing!

YANBU. It is too early for carol singing. I would have done the same as you.