Why do Brits live in darkness except for December?

[Swedegirl48]

I am Swedish and at home if you walk down a street, most houses will have lamps in some of the windows, outside lights and usually people don’t draw curtains so you can see the lights from within the houses. I was asking British DH today why Brits tend to light up their houses so enthusiastically in December, but the rest of the year people draw their curtains and no one seems to put lamps in the windows (at least not where we live which is London). I am the only person in my street who has a lamp in every window of my house and leave some on overnight too. I think I am trying to overcompensate for my very dark street.

No my street is very dark as are most streets around me. I don’t live on Oxford street.
I have always had lamps in my windows. I have lamps everywhere. Lightening is very important to me and I spend an insane amount of money on my lamps too.

I would imagine that OP is just doing what she is used to from her native Sweden, this seems to be important to her, such as teaching her DH to sleep with windows open, all year long. The majority of posters are doing what they feel most comfortable with and are used to doing too. Why would anyone wish to change what feels right to them for comfort, security, economy and privacy?

For us that are used to the window lamps walking down a residential street in Britain is kind of like walking down a street with borded up shop windows vs walking down a street with lit up and decorated shop windows.

It’s one o’clock here and we have our small lights on. Same as all our neighbours. Otherwise we would hardly see what we were doing.

I think the dark nights go on for a bit longer in Sweden and obviously the country extends into the Arctic where there is hardly any natural light in winter, so this is where the lamps in houses tradition probably comes from?

And those of us who are NOT used to it would feel uncomfortable with your way.
We get it. You believe your way is far superior. You prefer it. Great!

You do you and stop being so snooty about others who live differently.

Jeez, I'm not snooty I am just trying to explain to people who don't see the point with decorating their windows why we do it. Calm down, it's just window lamps.

Gosh. Are you ok? It’s just observations and a few lamps in a window…

@sadeightiesthrowback but why does what OP want override what her DH was comfortable with?

Do you keep all the lights on when you go to bed?

There’s definitely something in it OP and I’d certainly appreciate your lamps and windows.

I travelled widely in much sunnier climes than the U.K. many years ago now and it was quite the adjustment coming back. Not sure I’ve ever fully recovered!

I would personally love more lights in windows and would love more of what you describe.

DD and I recently enjoyed pausing outside different houses as we admired the Christmas lights outside each one.

You’re definitely not wrong about the mental positivity it provides. I wish my fellow country folk would perhaps reconsider.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/feeling-blue-holiday-lights-might-be-cure-2024a1000nh9?ecd=mkm_ret_241226_mscpmrk_broad_holidays_etid7116642&uac=326721PG&impID=7116642

Well, that’s exactly my point. Lit-up shop windows are there to attract potential shoppers, show them goods, make them think ‘I’ll go and try that on tomorrow’ — that’s literally the job of a shop window, to be outward-focused, to attract attention from passersby and advertise their goods.

But a private house exists for the benefit of the people who live in it. Inside the house at night, they will naturally arrange the lighting to suit them and whatever they’re doing indoors, rather than to look attractive from the street.

Interesting how one of the reasons for lighting up homes is that people can feel safe walking about, is it not safe to walk around outside in the evening in Sweden?

I’m in Sweden but used to live in London. I know where I feel safer walking around.

You're right. It IS just a few lamps in windows. It's a pointless, meaningless, utterly worthless discussion.
I shouldn't have allowed myself to become irritated with such a laser focus on such drivel. Apologies.

What do you mean I override my DH? This is a massive jump to conclusion.

Yes some lamps are always on, but no bright lights.

people don’t draw curtains so you can see the lights from within the houses.

I draw the curtains to keep the warmth in so we can spend less on heating bills! Maybe heating is cheaper in Sweden!?

👍 See you again some time on the super serious topics!

I'm surprised by the tone of this thread TBH. I'm on board with everyone having an opinion but surprised so few people see teh OP's suggestion as negative given the amount of posters I've seen on previous threads mentioning how much they like using candles and warm lighting once Autumn descends, along with my observation of how many people's Christmas decorations involve lights.

I think sometimes a generalisation like "why do Brits..." can be a little annoying. People are different, and it's not wrong to close your curtains at night time, just not what the OP is used to.

I think posters are surprised at the fact that the OP can't work out why most people don't follow her Swedish customs - privacy, warmth, indoor light, feeling less vulnerable.

Perhaps the crime rate is much lower in Sweden?

I think she needs a hug

awww soo sweet

[ gives you lots of hugs]🍷🌻

Oh god so do I! I hate it!

Yeah calm down Enid Blyton she’s fine. I mean, good goshy hockey sticks … asking if someone is ok to be passive aggressive because you don’t actually care if they’re ok, and the real reason you’re asking is to imply is there’s something mentally wrong with them whilst still appearing ‘concerned’ is a bit… ‘very bloody obvious what you’re doing’. Just it case you didn’t know. But I’m sure you did.

But I think the people who annually get enthusiastic about candles and warm lighting are doing it indoors for the benefit of themselves and others indoors, not to ‘brighten up the street’. That’s where UK Christmas lights diverge from indoor lighting.