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Have to say that I was a bit disappointed that the thread seems to rate Christmas spirit according to the amount of illumination erected.  What has one-upmanship got to do with Christmas?  Because that's what much of it is.  After more than 25 years in the same road, I can confidently say that those who put up the biggest array of lights are the same ones who give the least damn about their neighbours.

I can hark back to a time when Christmas trimmings were mainly at ceiling height in the main room of the hoime, and illumination was usually limited to one Christmas tree.   And kids were appreciative of their presents - regardless of a friend's present being upmarket to their own.    And wellwishing was a genuine display of care and friendship towards one's neighbour.

We have personally met people who have had sleepless nights, debating how they can afford little Johnny's demand for something expensive; and worst still, in many cases knowing that he will ungratefully express condemnation if it isn't likely to fill his pals with envy.

Bertie.

Got a string of blue lights that go along the front porch, most folk in our close do the same. They will go up at the weekend along with the tree, that's it!

Not a huge fan of xmas, far too commerciallised and we are not religious!

Well yours is definately bigger than mine Scampi!

My Kitchen isnt a bad size, but after my last cooker died, we now just have the traditional 4 rings, one grill and an oven. Our last house also had a lovely big dining room, so seating all 14 of us at the time was never a problem, and some of my girls were still at home to help with the prep and table laying, pot washing ect.

We now have a more modern house with the standard modern size dining room, seats 6 people and no more, and there have been a few new grandchildren arrive since we moved into this place, hence the total number of nineteen mouths to feed!

Thanks for the offer anyway, i used to do catering for charity events at our local animal rescue place, loved every min of it, im sure theres something in your area similar to this if you really do love cooking. the Age Concern lunch groups are always on the look out for people to help with the cooking of lunches and the baking of a few cakes for the members to take home with them.

Julia  

We have 3 sets of lights outside (led blue/white and plain blue) which look very effective but do they really add much to the lccy bill?  They are on for about 4 hours a day.

Personally I'll be glad when it's all over.   All that shopping, money spent, Christmas music, starting in October......all for one day (we are not religious either, so no significance from that point of view).   My lot tell me I'm bah humbug but then they don't have to run round the shops buying everyone pressies, sitting in traffic jams of xmas shoppers, standing in queues, pushing the trolley round Sainsburys while everyone runs around with hugh piles of stuff in trollies (enough to feed them for a month, not a day).  

Bettter now I've got that off my chest.

Ali -  Sam was 12 and a half but in the last month or so his legs gave up, he became doubly incontinent and in the last day or two barked and cried when he was left alone.

Mum is not doing too well - it was a slight stroke afffecting her face and speech but, on the back of the bereavement, has really knocked her for 6. She is housebound and virtually  blind,   add to that her fondness for the bottle and we have a situation that can only spell disaster.  I am doing as best I can to sort out carers  and visits as well as all the financial side of things but it is very difficult to do from 500 miles!