To think decorating your home for different seasons is silly

[harrisaar]

I LOVE autumn, and Christmas. So much. I understand decorating for Halloween maybe a couple of weeks before it if you’ve got kids and they’re excited to Trick or treat or they’re having parties etc. And Christmas decorations through December, fair enough

What I’ve been noticing is most homeware shops and supermarkets alike are full to the brim of autumn decor. Cushions, throws, pumpkin bedding, wall art, Halloween bath mats… the list goes on. If you were to kit your home out and make it autumnal, as pretty as it would look that’s a huge expense for items you won’t really want on display after October. Not great for the environment either. AIBU to think why??

A nice centre piece or a wreath you've made, yes. It ties in with living with the rhythm of the seasons and that sort of philosophy. We have a centrepiece, a small evergreen tree with autumn leaves and felt, and a handmade garland in the kitchen with mix of felt as paper leaves and acorns hung from it, some painted with gold glitter glue.

The tat in the shops is all about money, nothing more.

And they stay up until winter, so beyond October.

I don’t understand how it’s any different from Christmas decorations. Either you only have what you absolutely need in your house (no decorations), or you have more.

I decorate my front garden, not so much my house.

My Nan always had winter curtains and sofa cushion covers, they were just warmer for winter, changing them back in spring.
i have winter and summer candles that I change over & keep in the loft but that’s about it 😁

Each to their own but I agree it’s a waste and I bet a lot of the stuff gets binned after one use.

I dress the mantelpiece for the seasons, but I have done for years and the decorations are like old friends by now.

Why are people so obsessed with what everyone else is buying, doing etc? It’s bizarre, just do you and let everyone else do their own thing 🤷‍♀️

I probably would if I could afford to and had the motivation but it does seem a waste of money in todays climate.

Good point!

The thought of decorating constantly makes me feel exhausted. I barely have enough time in the day as it is... but committing to multiple decor changes?? And where do people store all of this??

@GirlOfTudor

I switch decorations around 3 times a year. Spring, Autumn and winter/Christmas. I have a couple of Christmas boxes but everything else fits in one small box.

I suppose it's a long way from the end of August until Christmas, so "fall" (as the Americans say), gives people a chance to try to celebrate the darker nights, orange leaves, pumpkins and all things associated with autumn. People like to get cozy, and feel cozy.

I do think the Americans celebrate it more, and British shops have taken their cue from that.

We now have lots of autumn season scented candles, as well as pumpkin spice lattes, for instance.

I get it’s exhausting….to you.

But spending an hour or 2 every few months clearly isn’t ‘exhausting’ to those of us who do. Or we wouldn’t do it.

This year we actually repainted the living room in august. But the autumn decorations took less than an hour, one Sunday afternoon. The wreath took less than 5 minutes.

As Halloween approaches I will add some decorations to the bay window so children know they can knock here for trick or treat. Late November I will spend an hour putting away and do a deep clean then do Christmas decorations. Which we usually do over a few days.

I don’t finding spending an hour here or there doing something that brings a little joy in to my life exhausting. I am sure there’s things you do that bring you and your family some joy, that I couldn’t be arsed with or found pointless. Luckily we aren’t always exactly the same.

And I have a coffee table that’s storage. The seasonal ones go in there. And the Christmas ones go in the attic.

I would love to be that woman who is organised enough to do this. I appreciate beautiful homes and love pretty things but I am a bit of a lazy cow who hates housework and prefers to spend all spare money on travel. If you are that woman please post photos for us lesser mortals to admire.

I think social media has something to do with it. A big Autumn decoration around the front door and then a posed family picture in front of it? Yep, you know what I’m talking about 😄.

Yea, I looked at a display of autumn decorations in our local Sainsbury’s on Saturday. I can see why people like autumn decorating - but I just find the fact that someone’s thought of a reason to ship even more cheap plastic from China so depressing. And all in the same sickly shade of orange. It’s not as if we didn’t buy enough of it already.

I let the kids collect conkers and leaves and decorate with them though. Looks less professional but doesn’t make me think of Chinese factory estates.

I decorate for Halloween and Christmas and am not averse to buying daffodils at Easter.

- but I just find the fact that someone’s thought of a reason to ship even more cheap plastic from China so depressing.

Many people don't want to ramage through parks for perfect leaves and flowers to dry nowadays. So they have to buy it.
My mu. Still displays our chestnut animals😂 They are hilarious

To a point. This month, the thick tartan full length "cosy" curtains are hung up, fluffy mats on the laminate by your feet.cushions and throws come out of the loft. Warmer colours, come Easter,all this goes up in the loft, and the sill length lightweight cooler coloured curtains go up. Decorative silk flowers, make way for burnished leaves and berries.

@CaptainJackSparrow85

None of mine are plastic or from China.

It isn't obligatory. No-one has to change decor, but it can make a nice change. It means I feel the need to revamp a room less often.

I have two sets of curtains for some rooms, heavy lined curtains for the winter keep the warmth in and are rich colours.
They come down in April and are washed or cleaned. Voiles go up in their place, light and airy for summer.

It freshens up the room, and is a sort of cheerful visual marker that summer has arrived.

I do this 😂🫣 it's fun for the kids and makes everyone feel festive etc why not

I'm a complete cynic who thinks this trend for seasonal decorating is driven by mass consumerism and benefits only shops like B&M and The Range.

But your post is lovely and has given me some food for thought. Your house sounds beautiful- like a wonderful reflection of all of the things you love.

I remember reading a few years ago that the trend for doing things like this is down to "generation rent". People living in private renting are not allowed to put up shelves or pictures. They are stuck with the landlords choice of plain magnolia walls. But they can make their home pretty and personal with seasonal displays, nice cushions etc.
Nothing to do with showing off on Instagram or whatever.