Kidding aside, I miss Christmas lights. Here in Kerala, we used to have Christmas decorations on almost all houses, irrespective of religion. I used to be excited to put up a star and string of lights outside the house every year when I was young, though we are Hindus.
In the last ten years or so, the social atmosphere in India, like everywhere else in the world, has become so vitiated that I hardly see a paper star or two in our area , which has a smaller population of Christians than in the south of the state.
I hate putting up outdoor decorations. Actually, I have reached a stage at which I hate most of what is now associated with the shopping season.
Yeah, I’m a Grinch. As far as I’m concerned, though, the only thing that the Grinch – and Scrooge – did wrong was that they had an epiphany and changed. Shame.
Every year I have to get out my extension ladder to hang a 5’ wreath under a second story picture window. It hangs from two nails. So I set up the ladder, haul up the wreath, wrap a wire around one nail, climb down, move the ladder, climb up and wrap that other wire around the other nail. Then I climb down and look at the wreath. Rats! It’s not even (rarely is the first try). So I maybe move the ladder and climb up to adjust it. Climb down, look, Rats again! Most of the time the third time’s a charm (or I just give up). I’m getting too old for this. This year I’m getting pulleys, line and cleats so I can raise and lower it from the ground.
I love the lights. This time of year, I go to work in the morning, it’s dark. I work in a building without windows, and I go home, it’s dark. Thus, I have no issues with people who want to do the lights early! :)
I live in a cooperative apartment. If I want to see the lights, I take a drive into the Grosse Points (Michigan). The folks there work to outdo each other with the Christmas displays.
Last Tuesday we went to put up the lights. Husband decided that we (I) had to get rid of the leaves or we would have a fire from the leaves and the electric wires. We wasted an hour in Ace looking for a garbage bag holder he decided we needed – it was in stock on their website but since a fall item, no longer carried. Went home and using the old fashioned garbage can, bags, rack and snow shovel, I cleaned up most of the leaves in the area where the lights will be – over a dozen bags.Spent the next afternoon picking up the other leaves “where mice might nest” & he was shocked that where I cleaned up the day before had leaves back again – 3 more bags. Rain since, so still no lights. I did put the batteries in the window candles and will put them in the windows tomorrow night (finished too late to start the timer for today).
Then I have 2 large boxes of inside decorations for living room, dining room, kitchen and tiny front entry. A box of soft decorations – dolls,stockings, etc. Then I have to rearrange the basement so I can get under the stairs for the larger Standing Santas and elves for the living room (most were gifts from someone he worked with and I made the others). Three Christmas trees are under the same with part of the decorations. The small beaded tree I made is still down there yet too. Then there are 4 large boxes of ornaments. Some small decorating items upstairs. And 2 of the same size box of stuff for my teddy bear village – which should go quicker this year as we are now doing 4 seasonal villages so village is set up – just need to change the bears. Already changed to everyday seasonal dishes.
Nachikethass over 5 years ago
Why can’t it wait till December 1, at least?
Kidding aside, I miss Christmas lights. Here in Kerala, we used to have Christmas decorations on almost all houses, irrespective of religion. I used to be excited to put up a star and string of lights outside the house every year when I was young, though we are Hindus.
In the last ten years or so, the social atmosphere in India, like everywhere else in the world, has become so vitiated that I hardly see a paper star or two in our area , which has a smaller population of Christians than in the south of the state.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault over 5 years ago
Fourth Thursday in November. 22 is earliest possible.
thomas_matkey over 5 years ago
Our stuff is up already….except for the tree. Shopping almost done too. Not sure what we’re going to do for the next month.
kraftjeff over 5 years ago
I started putting up my lights a few weeks ago because the weather gods were going to start whizzin on my parade otherwise…
jarvisloop over 5 years ago
I hate putting up outdoor decorations. Actually, I have reached a stage at which I hate most of what is now associated with the shopping season.
Yeah, I’m a Grinch. As far as I’m concerned, though, the only thing that the Grinch – and Scrooge – did wrong was that they had an epiphany and changed. Shame.
Meg: All Seriousness Aside over 5 years ago
Run away with me, Arlo! I don’t do outdoor lights.
Tyge Premium Member over 5 years ago
I don’t mind the putting up. It the getting down and then the putting away that the pain in the a-crooked letter-crooked letter.
nosirrom over 5 years ago
Every year I have to get out my extension ladder to hang a 5’ wreath under a second story picture window. It hangs from two nails. So I set up the ladder, haul up the wreath, wrap a wire around one nail, climb down, move the ladder, climb up and wrap that other wire around the other nail. Then I climb down and look at the wreath. Rats! It’s not even (rarely is the first try). So I maybe move the ladder and climb up to adjust it. Climb down, look, Rats again! Most of the time the third time’s a charm (or I just give up). I’m getting too old for this. This year I’m getting pulleys, line and cleats so I can raise and lower it from the ground.
jonesbeltone over 5 years ago
Who is pushing this? Janis? Arlo?
rlaker22j over 5 years ago
Can’t get a McDonald’s eggnog shake in the South, terrible
chuckydoodle over 5 years ago
I have asked this before but didn’t seem to get an answer or reply. What ever happened with Gene and his family? Haven’t seen them in ages
Fontessa over 5 years ago
At least she’s the one in the attic handing boxes down. At my house, Husband would be up the ladder :)
Scott S over 5 years ago
It was the 55th anniversary of JFK’s assassination. Is that helpful for an excuse?
ScretWitch over 5 years ago
I love the lights. This time of year, I go to work in the morning, it’s dark. I work in a building without windows, and I go home, it’s dark. Thus, I have no issues with people who want to do the lights early! :)
Airbender over 5 years ago
I live in a cooperative apartment. If I want to see the lights, I take a drive into the Grosse Points (Michigan). The folks there work to outdo each other with the Christmas displays.
chris cyrus over 5 years ago
I’m curious as to what is up with their son, Gene and his family. It’s been awhile since we have seen them featured.
mafastore over 5 years ago
Last Tuesday we went to put up the lights. Husband decided that we (I) had to get rid of the leaves or we would have a fire from the leaves and the electric wires. We wasted an hour in Ace looking for a garbage bag holder he decided we needed – it was in stock on their website but since a fall item, no longer carried. Went home and using the old fashioned garbage can, bags, rack and snow shovel, I cleaned up most of the leaves in the area where the lights will be – over a dozen bags.Spent the next afternoon picking up the other leaves “where mice might nest” & he was shocked that where I cleaned up the day before had leaves back again – 3 more bags. Rain since, so still no lights. I did put the batteries in the window candles and will put them in the windows tomorrow night (finished too late to start the timer for today).
Then I have 2 large boxes of inside decorations for living room, dining room, kitchen and tiny front entry. A box of soft decorations – dolls,stockings, etc. Then I have to rearrange the basement so I can get under the stairs for the larger Standing Santas and elves for the living room (most were gifts from someone he worked with and I made the others). Three Christmas trees are under the same with part of the decorations. The small beaded tree I made is still down there yet too. Then there are 4 large boxes of ornaments. Some small decorating items upstairs. And 2 of the same size box of stuff for my teddy bear village – which should go quicker this year as we are now doing 4 seasonal villages so village is set up – just need to change the bears. Already changed to everyday seasonal dishes.