Early Christmas decorations = working class

[FaLaLaLaLaaaar]

I know Mumsnet loves a class debate, so thought I’d share an argument I had with a friend last night.

She insists that only working class people put their Christmas decorations up in November, I insisted she’s a snob and class is more redundant these days so it’s a ridiculous argument.

So Vipers, I’ll ask the question as if it is coming from me to make it easier:

AIBU to think only working class people put their Christmas decorations up in November?

Yabu - No, don’t be such a snob, middle class people do too.

YANBU - Yes, it’s a working class thing.

I will be showing her the results of this.

Not sure about class but its a bit poor tast

@Unicornsanctuary

We put ours up on 8 Dec, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and take the decs down on 6 Jan, Epiphany. DH has very traditional parents…..

I'm not sure that the immaculate conception has much to do with Christmas?

[quote Alwaysgoldtome]@User2638483 why are fake trees tacky? I don’t understand that?[/quote]
Me neither. And also I wouldn’t consider real trees that expensive either so I’m curious as to why it signals upper class? My tree is artificial, cost £500+ and everyone Comments on how good it is. I got a real one last year and it was shocking in comparison.

Oops

In think its a bit poor taste but i am working class myself

My house is so small its easier to have a tree and decs for minimal time

@Silverswirl

I didn’t say the middle classes don’t look down on others - I said classy people don’t.

Although as evidenced by this thread it seems some people love to look down on others whenever they can. It’s quite sad really. I can honestly say my enjoyment of Christmas isn’t even touched by sneering over other people’s tacky/common decorations. It wouldn’t even enter my mind because I’m happy with my own decorations.

@falalalalaaaar
I don't know, you're all bonkers about class stuff to us expats 🤣

@MurielSpriggs you don’t think the immaculate conception has anything to do with Jesus being born? Ooookkkkkk… someone needs to go ajd watch a nativity play

[quote Silverswirl]@Kanaloa oh you are wrong. Very wrong. It’s the genuine upper classes that don’t sneer down on people. MC’s certainly do. It’s literally their hallmark.[/quote]
Is it me, or are you sneering at middle class people?

@FitAt50

You can't explain why things are common or tacky, they just are

I'll have a bash at it. Dons thinking cap

Babies with pierced ears

That's cruel. If it's tacky too, I'd imagine it's because you're guilding a metaphorical lily.

Live, Laugh, Love wall art
I had a photo frame with this on until relatively recently. I quite liked it. If it's tacky, I'd imagine it's because they're usually cheap and cheerful and mass-produced, as well as a bit of a cliché.

• England/Union flags hanging in your front window

If this is considered tacky, I'd have thought it would be because patriotism is frowned upon and associated with the far right in this country.

I think It’s about shopping
Christmas used to be a religious festival and exchanging gifts. Now it seems to have been hijacked by shopping and if Christmas goods are available in the shops people start to think it’s Christmas so put up decs earlier

Whether there are differences in which socio economic group buys into this more than others. I don’t know

Nothing to do with class and quite frankly I couldnt care less if people want to put their trees up early because I'm not a snobby judgemental cunt.

I’ve just put my tree up as I am allergic to pine needles and have to have a fake tree. BUT (and this is important) , all my lights are from John Lewis. Does this mean I have immunity from chavdom? If not, I may embrace it and put a neon life size Santa and sleigh on my roof and have a couple of angel figures with real hair standing in the doorway.

Yes, I do think there is some truth in this, though there is nothing wrong with being working class, people should embrace it. All horses for courses though, and I think it is people being excited and wanting something to look forward to, but it is these types (usually quite houseproud) that do it, then declare on Boxing Day that they're sick of the sight of it and take everything down and do a spring clean. I always think it would be nice if people kept their lights up throughout January, no tacky santas or flashing blue lights obviously.

Not lack of class, it’s lack of education regarding the meaning of Christmas.

Interesting idea and I don't think there's a straightforward answer so I haven't voted. The stereotype idea I have of MC and Xmas is that everything is tasteful, done in moderation and not in a rush - to reflect the fact that life is easy and Christmas is just one of life's many pleasures so why the big deal? Whereas WC get their kicks where they can because things are harder to come by therefore it's important to show everyone you're in party mode at the earliest opportunity. Same vibe as MC are less generous with paying for things like meals out and drinks because they've no need to flash the cash for people to know they're confident about their status. But I think there are probably so many exceptions to this these days that I'm not sure it holds much water anymore. I know people who are technically MC who are putting their trees etc up this weekend. My family were pretty strict that 'Christmas' is only 3 days and yes we were the family with the worst tree because they'd sold out by the time DF went to get one on 23 Dec! I think it's nice to see outside/garden lights all through the winter as it's so cheerful. Real trees lose their needles so no to those until at least mid Dec!

The thing is that in many parts of the world baby girls all have their ears pierced at birth (or shortly afterwards), so there are many people living in this country for whom their culture dictates it a given. It's got nothing to do with class in many cases.

FWIW one of DD's friends at primary school had an English dad but European mum. They were a highly academic family (certainly not working class). As they had lots of friends from South America, young girls with pierced ears were the norm in their social circle. The mum had absolutely no idea that it was considered 'common' for a tween to have pierced ears in this country, until the DD had had hers done!

@Play8063 I’m an immigrant (but I’ve lived here a very, very long time) but I still find it all fascinating. As an immigrant, I think people don’t put me in to the class system.

@falalalalaar
Ditto, or when they do (assuming they can place me bed on their stereotypes) they are then quite surprised! It's hilarious isn't it. X

Based on their*

Were very working class and actually we generally pit our decs up late because our house is poky and I can't cope with the clutter for any longer than a couple of weeks

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

The thing is that in many parts of the world baby girls all have their ears pierced at birth (or shortly afterwards), so there are many people living in this country for whom their culture dictates it a given. It's got nothing to do with class in many cases.

FWIW one of DD's friends at primary school had an English dad but European mum. They were a highly academic family (certainly not working class). As they had lots of friends from South America, young girls with pierced ears were the norm in their social circle. The mum had absolutely no idea that it was considered 'common' for a tween to have pierced ears in this country, until the DD had had hers done!

That’s a difficult one really. It’s often hard to stand up against that and the pain it causes for fear of being labelled as culturally insensitive. I am a bit bull in a China shop when it comes to babies being subjected to pain in the name of culture. As in I don’t care in what name it’s being done.

@Dnaltocs

Not lack of class, it’s lack of education regarding the meaning of Christmas.

Given that lots of people treat Christmas as a secular celebration in 2021, I think thats an ignorant comment in itself.

Its perfectly possible to understand Christmas but decide to do your own thing. Simply because you want to.

Well I sometimes don't put mine up till Christmas eve. And I'm common as dirt.

You can’t put up a real tree in October as it will die before Xmas. Posher people tend to have real trees since they are more expensive. So I think your friend is probably right. I am v wc roots but highly educated and high income. Mine never go up until December.

@Silverswirl

Absolutely true. LC tend to have garish multicoloured decorations up in November. Also added in recent years are the hideous cheap looking tacky door bows. Very very LC. MC usually have a large real tree and many real or natural decorations or more expensive real looking decorations.

You never put them up before the 1st weekend in December. Ever! We choose and cut our tree and wouldn’t want to have it cut before December the 5th at the earliest but ideally the second weekend in dec.

What a ridiculous pile of shit. And what a horribly judgemental individual you sound. Urgh, shame on you! Also, this is the most ludicrous post on here, and that's quite some feat, because there has been so much utter bollocks spouted on this thread about how 'naice posh peeple' should behave!

@kanaloa

You know you can’t make yourself middle class by using what you deem to be ‘not tacky’ decorations don’t you?

But it’s good to know you’re so in with what’s cool in the middle classes. Funny that you haven’t picked up any understanding of tasteful behaviour. To me, classy people simply wouldn’t look down on other people so nastily.

Exactly this. ^

@Kanaloa

I mean how can anyone seriously look down on someone because they have a ‘live laugh love’ sign? If you don’t like them, don’t get one. But it doesn’t make you a better person than someone who does have one.

Exactly. There are some nasty shitty posts on here.

I don't have one of those signs btw, but don't give a shit if someone else has and I certainly don't think of myself as better than them.

You sure can spot the faux middle classes on here. They are the judgy twunts looking down on people they deem as 'lower class.' Ewww vile!