Christmas lights. Am I being a Scrooge?

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It's possible that I am. I'm in a panic about money at the moment, made all the worse because I'm on annual leave so I've got time to shit myself and hyperventilate worry about it.

I love Christmas and I love Christmas lights.

But this post in the Argus seems a bit off, given that we have real issues with energy at the moment?
I think I read that it's for charity but I'm not sure that's the best excuse way to be making money for charity at the moment.

Aibu?

I usually have lots of white led lights in the garden. I'm not going to this year for all the reasons in the op. I have got a small set of solar lights that I might put out, but that's about it. I can't face the extra job of doing them either!

If you are short of money it costs nothing taking your children a walk round all the Christmas lights.
It costs nothing to look and the children love it and to them is a lovely treat, hot chocolate when home.
They remember it and want to do it every year when young because to them it is part of the magic of Christmas.
This ohh let’s not put on lights because look at the economy is shot. Well not for everyone.
I don’t have money for this sort of thing but I will still drive my grandchildren round to see others decorations because they love it.

Thought I’d put this up in case anyone wants to donate. They’ve only just put it up as the light switch on is tomorrow

You sound fun

Our lights have always been on a timer and we dont put up masses. This year they will be up for less days and the time may be set to 7p.m start as the peak time for electricity use has been said to be 4p.mto 7 p.m. But they use very little electricity and I think the pleasure they give is worth it.

That is truly hideous.

While it may look hideous to some (fun to others), they are making money for Air ambulance.
In laat two years they collected 10k.

Fight for these things to be properly funded and it won't need charity events🤷🏻

The tree is up.

I'm just not farting around on a step ladder putting lights up my conservatory that only I can see.

Luckily some of my neighbours lights can be seen by the ISS...

Yes, you’re a Scrooge. A great problem in this country is people taking on whatever the media announces to be the next major panic, and spending the next year curtain twitching over it and trying to ‘dob in’ their neighbours.

stop trying to control other people and their fun.

Why does your OP literally start with "I'm in a panic about money at the moment"?

You seem to changing your views based on the responses your getting.

There haven't been any blackouts yet so your unwanted concern about these people using electricity just sounds churlish and jealous.

The folk devils and moral panics are well observed phenomenon.
It was bokers in Brighton, single mums on benefits, immigrants, mods and rockers.

This year, it's people with Christmas lights. Sociology textbooks will be amazing to read in 10 years😂

This reminds me of all the "essential shopping" arguments on the covid threads. We must all be as miserable as possible during a crisis.

I'm outraged about the corruption in our government. A few OTT led lights over the next four weeks?🤷‍♀️

Sunak owns three massive properties in the UK. When he agrees to cut down on his energy use by reducing these to one property, then maybe we can worry about this sort of non-issue.

Charities are really struggling. People are pulling back their donations because they can't afford to donate. Volunteers haven't gone back after covid.
So yes, even though there is an energy crisis, I think that if this generates donations to a charity that needs the funds, then I think this is an acceptable use of energy.

Christmas lights are pretty cheap
To run . Between the inside and out side of my house I have 16 sets of lights/decorations that require power and are on 3pm-10/11pm and Including my usual household usuals im using £3.88 a day without the lights it was about £3.60 .
There fun I like them and my children like them and I certainly don't lack imagination.
if twinkly lights make people happy for a month or so let them crack on . The worlds a sad place nowadays for the other 11 months .

"Get to fuck" probably not the nicest of posts....

I strongly disagree with the deletion there.

If only we could make electricity out of the OPs frothing about Christmas lights.

It would power the national grid for a year.

To be blunt, not everyone is struggling with energy costs and there is talk of rolling blackouts, but it isn't the case yet and unless I've missed it, we've not been advised to avoid putting up Christmas lights.
We don't have outside lights, only lights are on the tree indoors, but I don't see the harm in people doing it. There are a few houses a short enough drive from us who do it for charity, and kids seem to love it. Not my thing, but it's not up to us to police others.

No it doesn't bother me. And it's raising money for charity.

I agree considering it was in response to raising money for a baby hospice. Mn getting more and more ridiculous here

It's got nothing to do with anyone else what they've done to their house. I wouldn't do it but fuck me hardly worth getting annoyed about? It's lights wrapped round a house?

I don’t understand what your issue is

You don’t have to pay for their electricity, get a grip

Also national grid has confirmed there are no blackout fears anymore and they are no longer putting those plans into action

@IncessantNameChanger
I'm sorry you are worried about your child.
I don't know how to send mumsnet flowers but sending you my best wishes x