Christmas lights etiquette

[RandyMandyy]

Slightly pointless thread and a sign that I probably need to do more interesting things on a Saturday night but.....

We usually have loads of Christmas lights outside our house. We don't go overboard with presents etc I but just love being festive, yeah I'm probably bit of a saddo but there you go.

This year, is it in bad taste to do this? Should I cut back to just a twinkly string above the door? We are definitely feeling the cost of living crisis at the momentum but our energy bills are fixed so won't cost us any extra. Obviously we should all be mindful of the environment though. We usually put them up 2nd week of Dec.

Your lights, your house, your choice. Don't give others' opinions any headspace. But I love seeing everyone's street lights!

Are you in rented with your bills included for a fixed Cost? It’s the only way your costs can be fixed.

but it’s fine to put up what you want, just make sure you can afford it and you understand your financial commitments

As long as they don't flash and don't shine through neighbours' windows then all good. Shining through the side of the blind or curtains when you are trying to get to sleep at 10 to be up at 6, not good.

@Darbs76 oh

I'd say it's probably a better time. Surely most people feel happier walking about in the dark winter with lights and decorations up? I don't want Christmas to be hidden and almost shameful just because some (including myslef) are struggling financially to celebrate as usual.

We are definitely feeling the cost of living crisis at the momentum but our energy bills are fixed so won't cost us any extra.

Omg how can people still think this is a thing. Absolutely no energy company has an ‘all you can eat’ tariff. If you use more you will pay more.

Just do what you normally do and everyone on MN needs to stop doing this self flagellating for not being at the bottom if poverty level.

It's patronising at the same time attention seeking etc.
Same like people apologising about not being on 5p a month or something like that at the begining of threads.

Lights cam cost VERY little btw

Please put them up, we need some cheer!

Surely everyone realises she means it won’t cost more then last year not that it won’t cost anything to have the lights up!

I'm putting up all the lights I normally have up. All white, no flashing ones either.

Unless you've tapped in to your neighbour's electricity supply and they're going to pay for it, do what you want.

Last year we had no electricity for 4 days due to Storm Arwen. We were cold and by day 4 we were pretty p*ssed off. The houses opposite the end of our road still had electricity (different circuit) and some of them were bedecked in Christmas lights whilst our street was in total darkness. Did we feel like they were rubbing our noses in it - hell yes. I've no doubt it was not their intention but nevertheless it didn't cheer us up any when we were walking around the house with torches from 4pm every day and huddled under blankets.
If your neighbours are poor and likely to be struggling to pay for electricity then flashing a huge display of lights in their faces is not tactful, so I'd tone it down a bit this year. If they are not likely to be struggling then crack on as normal.

My fix has ended, but I'm not going to be dictated by Greta Thunberg. My lights will be going up!

In fact, none of us should be dictated. Over the past 30 years, we have already taken steps to reduce energy use e.g. LEDs instead of 60W bulbs, flat screens instead of CRTs, smart thermostats, better insulation with double glazing, loft cavity etc. Rigging up some Christmas lights (which are also LEDs these days) for a few weeks isn't going to hurt.

I'd say do it. I don't do it myself but love seeing other people's lights.

The toning down would not be just for this year. What about next and the one after and after.
This isn't going away....

Just do what you feel comfortable doing.
Where do we draw the line? Is it disrespectful to go to the cinema, or out to eat, or get a takeaway? Or is it only if people can see that we're spending our money on non-essential things that it becomes an issue.

Ummm…nobody in this thread is doing this.
if you’ve seen it elsewhere, how do you know the posters aren’t making charitable donations?

We are going to be careful with our electricity use this winter to hopefully help in preventing the potential power shortages that have already been predicted. Running our Christmas lighting isn't helpful in this, however much we could all use some holiday cheer. We won't be having them on this year for that reason, until the UK's energy security has improved.

It was perfectly clear to me and clearly a number of PPs who’ve commented already what OP meant 🙄

Put the lights on! Many people LOVE going around their neighboring areas and checking out the Christmas lights. It's one of my little boys' favourite things to do - and as it's free, its some of the only Christmassy entertainment some kids might get this year! Obviously it's different if you can't afford it, but if you're just worried about etiquette- nah, go for it and spread some christmas cheer!

Put them all out but if you feel self conscious then just turn a few more moderate ones on until it's nearer to Christmas, then go full scale for the week before. I don't see any point in having hundreds of pounds of decorations kept in the garage year upon year. To me that seems more wasteful than using them.

Are they likely to shine in your neighbours windows and annoy them?

Could you include some solar lights?

It’s not clear. Lots of people have made this error, the OP sounds like she has and she’s never (as far as I’m aware) said that’s the case.