To think that postbox toppers are an aberration and those who produce them should be shot at dawn (I should say 'light hearted' here but it goes against the grain)

[IrateAndUnhinged]

That really.

Postbox toppers. Those crocheted monstrosities decorating every postbox within a 500 metres of GAILS bakery.

Why?

My AIBU is am I unreasonable for thinking they add no value to life and represent a huge drain on resources that could be better put to work creating reusable string bags.

I love them. They make me smile.
YABU

I know. That’s why I don’t inflict my ‘crafty tat’ (thanks wisteria) on everyone else.

I absolutely hate them! And it's awkward because some of my friends are involved in making them. I don't express my views as strongly as this to them, obvs. I just don't like twee, cluttery things anywhere - it's as though someone has bestrewn the street with lace doilies!

The thing is, the amount of skill and work which goes into them is phenomenal. We had one locally of a football team on a grass pitch. Amazing. Also various animals, all standing upright.

I just wish that a) these fantastic efforts were diverted into something that isn't going to be trashed by wind and rain - something indoors really and b) that whoever puts them up also ensures they are taken down after a reasonable time. I hate quirky 'installations' which just get left to rot. Fun to put up etc, but not so much fun to take down and dispose of.

Live and let live! They are harmless in the scheme of things!

The one near Great Ormond St Hospital is certainly appreciated. I have seen sick children light up and even make some little squeals. If anyone knows the person who made it, please thank them. It is very clever. Going to GOS Hospital can be quite a harrowing experience so anything that brings a bit of joy is a good thing.

I have posted the picture again. Not a great photo as taken by my child.

Summary of the debate to date for those late to the party:

Pro: they take a lot of work. They make (some) people smile

Con: they're littering the streets. They make (some) people frown.

In the middle: If they're only near posh areas AKA GAIL's then why not just buy buns from Lidl and avoid the discussion.

IrateandUnhinged - you are funny! But I can’t get worked up about them. I am more concerned about dog mess and rubbish in the street!

Thing about dog poo or fly tipping is that there really isn't an argument. They're a disgusting sign of the breakdown of society and the rise of the individual vs community mores.

Even I probably wouldn't say that about a postbox topper. Except perhaps the poo swimming in caramel coulis that I 'enjoyed' the other day. That was especially bad.

When I first saw one I thought it was a rather rebellious act. The quiet, homely, law abiding, crocheting Granny breaking out. Surely they are technically against the law as they are interfering with public property.

I loathe them. Always in plastic yarn and the look filthy within a month. Knit for charity if you want to do something useful.

Or fairy doors

Post boxes are lovely iconic street furniture. They don't need toppers taking away their gravitas. Plenty of uglier things to adorn I'm sure.

I think they are lovely,cannot see the problem TBH …graffiti telling toddlers in play parks to Fuck Off is more likely to annoy me than some harmless ,talented people trying to cheer up local high streets!

@RoseMarigoldViolet I've got no issue with toppers but post boxes are no longer "public property". Royal Mail was privitised ages ago.

I like them because it makes me feel that I am living with people who want to contribute to community cheer. Whether I like them aesthetically or not is a different matter, but I hugely appreciate the intent. But YANBU if you don't like them either.

They often are for charity eg raising money for hospice care in the town near me.

There you go

I've never seen any. But then I've never seen any seasonal door wreaths either, aside from Xmas ones so maybe I'm jus not very observant.

I'm trying to picture them, and I'm conjuring up images of those crocheted toilet roll covers from the 70s that incorporated a cheap version of a Sindy doll. If they look like that YANBU as that sounds shit.

Oh God that's even worse than I was imagining!

Why would anyone do that? Seems a bit pointless as well as wasteful.

I think it’s lovely. Anything that makes some people smile can only be a good thing in my book.

Summary of the debate to date for those late to the party:

Pro: they take a lot of work. They make (some) people smile

Con: they're littering the streets. They make (some) people frown.

In the middle: If they're only near posh areas AKA GAIL's then why not just buy buns from Lidl and avoid the discussion.

The pros you stated are facts. 'They are littering the streets' is a matter of opinion and inaccurate as a definition. Littering the streets implies that they are lying around on the pavements. Litter implies that they are waste, dropped by people, whereas they are in fact decorations which you happen to find aesthetically unappealing.

I can't see why they are more wasteful than any other type of decoration? In fact people have said they reuse them or reuse the wool(or whatever type of yarn they are made of)

Also Gail's bakery and post box toppers are easily google-able!

What on earth is a postbox topper? I have even googled and can't find such a thing.

Harmless bits of whimsical fun in a grim world. YABVU.

Ok. I'm all for compromise.

If we replace the words 'littering the streets' to 'not officially sanctioned or necessary additions to the street furniture and abominations at that' would that work @AllProperTeaIsTheft?

This was the result when I googled (I knew what one was, I googled to see if it was google-able!)