Decorating

No, never seen it, but DGD used to watch it a bit. So it's just an Americanism, then.

DO you not watch FRIENDS , seems to mean the same as "same to you"

What does "right back at you" mean, please?

I will leave some decorations up - a tiny tree and some tinsel - when I go away for Christmas and maybe augment them a bit for my New Year guests - sister and BiL. Down at 12th Night as is traditional.

My husband's birthday is in December so we don't put the decorations up until after that is over. He doesn't like his birthday to disappear into the festivities.
Our grandchildren are in the Falklands now so this is our first Christmas without them - they usually decorate the tree with us so that will be a bit strange. Still, this year I can have a more sophisticated look! We have seen a Facebook picture of their tree which they put up today. It's huge! Theirs will be a summer Christmas!

You are very gracious Soutra .
not seen your postings before , are you a Newbie ??

The were actually for anybody feeling at the thought of Christmas.

DD put hers up today,me I have always put mine up christmass eve . Not this year changing things will be starting 15th . getting things out in the back room,no body is allowed in there but me Help from kids on 21st.Then I will write the clues for the present hunt on christmass afternoon when they come to my house. as this is the last christmass day at home forDSIL for next 4 years ,leaving then to have the main part alone

^ SOUTRA ^ how very kind , right back at you

All in the *best pahssible taste" eh nonu?

Any grannies who may be dreading Christmas becasue they will be alone and lonely, or because of illness or perhaps because recently bereaved, might care to skip this thread for the next 24 days. to you

INISH < where do you live I could pop over , I don"t charge a lot !!

I wish the fairies would come and decorate my whole house! I find it tiresome to do, but of course I love to see my grandchildren's faces when it's done. Just have to find some energy ....

I also love to drape IVY over pictures to bring in a natural look !

Sook - same here!

A lot of our decorations are fresh so if I put up garlands and wreaths too early they look terrible by Christmas day.

Ours goes up as late as possible and comes down as soon as possible

I have a friend who covers her decorated tree with black bags and stores it away, then just uncovers it and places it in situ each year. It's an artificial one I hasten to add

I am certain I won"t be ^ BORED^ for starters I have ALL the family coming . Joy indeed !

wELL I did it , decorated the house this morning looks totally devine , even though I say it myself .
All the pretty lights , nothing naff though you understand !!
We went out a friends for lunch and I had put lights to come on timer , such a delight , when we arrived home .
I love EVERY SINGLE THING about Christmas.

happiness to you all X

The village Christmas tree has been up for about a week. On Tuesday there's the annual Christmas fest. By the time the big day comes, are we likely to be bored with it all?

Not yet! But, driving round, there are already some houses with the most awful stuff outside - huge plastic Santas, the lot! I love to see a few twinkling lights, though.

The electricity bills that people must run up amaze me.

And yes, Advent is a time for anticipation and reflection, to prepare spiritually for the arrival of Christ. So I was taught.

"The bells of waiting Advent ring..."

Far too early. I would be fed up with them by Christmas. Ours will go up on the 20th .

A neighbour of ours has had her tree up and lit for 2wks and several other neighbours have commented on it , not in a good way I might add...they were trying to convince their youngsters that Christmas was weeks away still.

The wife of a guy I worked for many years ago, always put up their decs on her birthday..........

5th November

We have always done ours around the 15th December and taken them down 2nd January