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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 17, 2006 13:31:27 GMT
I nipped into the GC this morning for some angelica seeds and saw the most horrendously nasty thing for sale - I say "thing" because it describes it best! It was a 3 ft high stick about broom stick size with twigs at the top like a standard plant and close up looked as if someone had wrapped dark brown sticky tape all over it (twigs too) and it cost...wait for it..... £46.95!!!!
After a lengthy discussion with the check out lady we decided it must be for hanging baubles on. Btw she loves Christmas but she thought it was cheap looking, vile and a total rip off too.
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Post by Rosefriend on Nov 17, 2006 13:46:11 GMT
One of the worst things for me at Christmas (apart from Christmas itself) are the Poinsettias - blue, yellow, gold, silver and all with or without sparkles - horrible things.
As it is one plant that I cannot keep for longer than a week I thankfully never buy them.
Rosefriend
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Post by isabella on Nov 17, 2006 16:20:09 GMT
I won't be buying a Poinsettia either - at the moment at work I have to look after approx. 200 large ones and 150 of the 1 flower tiny ones!  By the time Christmas comes I will be totally sick of looking at them!!! I do love some tat, though  But there is tat and then there is tat - last year we had gorgeous little Christmas trees arrive - only problem was they were sprayed all over with gold,silver or BLACK paint  TAT!TAT!TAT I hope I am not the only one on the boards that puts up lights outside!!! Only white lights!!! And I put lights etc. inside and my grandchildren have their own Christmas tree here - I buy them a new decoration every year |
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Post by sweetleaf on Nov 17, 2006 17:39:26 GMT
I bought some lights for outside last year from Tescos and they were recalled two days later along with the indoor ones because they caused fires.... TOTAL TAT!
I hate Poinsettias, (a Chav Plant, all show,no go) and I dislike the vandalism of spraying a live plant with paint glue and glitter.... thats just plain MURDER!
:-/Whos going to be first to put up their tree? I dont put mine up till the middle of December, but the first loonies have already begun to decorate in my neighbourhood.
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Post by Rosefriend on Nov 17, 2006 17:51:31 GMT
Well here in Germany things are a bit different and when in Rome etc etc.
For the 1st of Advent which is the 3rd. December this year I will have all the lights up inside and out (as few as possible), advent pyramids in the windows, advent candles and decorations on the table. A big plate of sweets and chocs that only my OH eats.
Then I have a couple of Christmas decorations which I had specially made as I am so artistic that I cannot even draw a stickman.........
Then I have to put a wreath on the door (removing the autumn one - always had a wreath per season) and at least I have learned how to make a wreath from fir trees twigs etc.
Xmas here is on the 24th in the evening and not the 25th. It is a bit difficult on the kids as they have to wait all day for their presents. The Christmas tree is also mostly put up on the 24th as well although of late a lot of people are putting them up a day or two before purely because of the time factor.
Rosefriend
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Post by Plocket on Nov 17, 2006 18:51:10 GMT
We have plain white strands of lights outside the house - we couldn't possible compete with some of the houses round here that look as though they are trying to attract aliens!!! The things I really hate are the singing christmas trees and stuff like that. I don't do poinsettias either. Inside we have a christmas tree, tastefully decorated in white and silver (every year!) and a few small tasteful ornaments. Oh and this year I invested in a strand of silver clips to hang our christmas cards on. It's already up because we've already received our first christmas card!!!
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Post by isabella on Nov 17, 2006 19:21:43 GMT
You wouldn't like my house then ,Plocket! All my outside lights are white stars and I have a tree by the front door( a real one) that I decorate with star lights and gold baubles!! The tree inside ( A real Tree) is decorated with all the bits and bobs collected over the years including painted fir cones that were done when the boys had just started school, decorations sent to me by my pen-friends in America and velvet covered eggs that I made a few years ago. I also have a cute singing reindeer and snowman, a fibre optic snowman and a wall decoration of Santa flying over the chimney tops which plays music and is a fibre optic! Sorry  Oh! I forgot about the wreath in the hall with lights and the candle arch in the kitchen and the candle arch upstairs! Sorry I always make my own door hanging for the front door and arrangements for the table! |
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Post by Jonah on Nov 17, 2006 20:25:28 GMT
Much as I like to think of myself as having a reasonable eye for design and decoration [wanted to be a designer when I was young] when it comes to christmas that all goes out the window, especially now I have the children. We don't compete for the most garish house, but OH likes to put lights up, icicles along the front, multicoloured round the windows and a few stick on window figures. We get a real tree in the front garden with coloured lights on. As for indoors, the tree is a nice eclectic mix [that's what I call it anyway!]. Different coloured tinsel, decorations collected over the years, some from my nan, and little things that the children have made at school and playschool. Some of the things they make only a mum could love!  Funny enough though, whenever anyone visits they always say how lovely the tree looks, but I think that is just standard conversation at that time of year We make the conservatory into an 'ice palace' where everything is white and silver, lots of dangly bits, icicle lights paper snowflakes and fake snow. This year I want to get a silver or white christmas tree....... All in the best possible taste! |
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Post by isabella on Nov 17, 2006 20:55:18 GMT
 Last year's Christmas Tree |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 18, 2006 14:16:27 GMT
I love brightly coloured houses but not totally over the top houses Isabella and I'm sure I'd love your decorations. I just don't have room for too many decorations - either on display or in storage for the rest of the year!!! OH has suggested that we have two christmas trees this year - one that LP can do how she wants it, and the other that I can have tastefully decorated!!! |
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Post by isabella on Nov 18, 2006 16:23:20 GMT
Plocket, I think that's a lovely idea! My Grandchildren really love doing their tree! They have the decorations I have bought them over the years e.g. winny the pooh characters,thomas the tank engine characters,ballerinas, fairies, little crackers and chocolate thingies they know they can't have until after Christmas. They also have coloured lights - their tree is artificial and I think that this year I will have to get a slightly bigger one now that we have Liliy as well! I let them decorate it as they want to and have to resist the urge to say 'Oh, I think that would look better like this!' Oh,I love it !!!!!! |
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Post by Jonah on Nov 18, 2006 16:59:54 GMT
Isabella, you sound like a lovely gran any child would love! Your tree looks lovely. I think it's half the fun tailoring the decorations to suit the children, but we've all got different taste. My brother is very minimal, but then he doesn't have children. His idea of a clearout is filling a carrier bag for charity! ;D |
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Post by isabella on Nov 18, 2006 17:19:00 GMT
Hello Jonah, Thankyou for your comments! I bet your children love your house at Christmas! Your Ice Palace sounds wonderful!! I really don't care what people think of my house at Christmas - I just do what I want to and I love it!! Best Wishes Pam x |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2006 18:00:50 GMT
Pam
As long as you love it and your grandchildren love it, who cares what anyone else thinks !
Personally, I've never put up outside lights (bah humbug). We have a tree in the corner of the living room and that's it. I hate, and I mean really HATE tinsel and streamers. My mum & dad have more decorations in their house than Woolworths stock - I'm sure they only do it to annoy me !!!
FA x
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 18, 2006 18:56:04 GMT
I moan about Christmas but I always let my kids decorate our tree and downstairs. I'm not that mean! I have a rooted tree which I bring in each year and youngest daughter and granddaughter spend hours putting on all the accumulated hand made decs of the last 25 years. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to love that! It's not my cup of tea, all that shiny shiny stuff but everyone else loves it......
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Post by JennyWrenn on Nov 19, 2006 7:44:37 GMT
People that like tat put it all up but then they dont know it's tat so to them it is probably very taseful  This year I am getting a 6' BLACK Christmas tree I have bought, what I think, are pretty white lights with dark red, almost purple, glass droplets, clipped along the wire - very art nouveau I thought And will string a row of silver pearls around it And that will be that, or that will be tat? I think it is wonderful tho that children can have their own tree and decorate it themselves Doesnt matter what it looks like they will think it the most wonderful tree in the world Oh and I bought some paper chains that I will hang in the lounge They are of robins - not very Chrismassy but they are very pretty And not forgetting the wreath on the door Bright red - artificial - berries with a purple ribbon Sometimes colour clashing works And small white lights on my Conifer tree outside Think that's it - |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 19, 2006 8:30:03 GMT
Talking of wreaths, last year I was shocked at the price of wreaths (my Mum wanted one - not me!) so, in a moment of creativity I set to and made one myself. I twisted hazel and willow twigs into a round and stuck Verbena tinus flowers, variegated ivy leaves, a few late rose buds etc, whatever I could find in the garden really and then twined it all with some dark green tinsel and it looked really pretty. I made another for daughter's front door and ended up having several requests for them. And actually, although I say it myself, it did look much better than a shop bought one (Watch out Susie Snowdrop...). And it was REALLY easy too!
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Post by isabella on Nov 19, 2006 9:44:59 GMT
Thay sounds really lovely 4pygmies For my front door I usually make a swag type hanging using what I call a shovel - a small oblong container with a handle. I use blue spruce to make the shape, add a gold bow and tails and fir cones,baubles and artificial white Christmas roses - not as awful as they sound! |
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Post by Auricula on Nov 19, 2006 17:34:37 GMT
I LOVE pointsettias - I think they are REALLY Christmassy!! |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Nov 19, 2006 17:36:45 GMT
Talking of wreaths, last year I was shocked at the price of wreaths (my Mum wanted one - not me!) so, in a moment of creativity I set to and made one myself. I twisted hazel and willow twigs into a round and stuck Verbena tinus flowers, variegated ivy leaves, a few late rose buds etc, whatever I could find in the garden really and then twined it all with some dark green tinsel and it looked really pretty. I made another for daughter's front door and ended up having several requests for them. And actually, although I say it myself, it did look much better than a shop bought one (Watch out Susie Snowdrop...). And it was REALLY easy too! Do you want a seasonal job .......come and work with me for a few weeks ;D S x |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 19, 2006 19:01:13 GMT
We stopped in at "Winter Wonderland" today for LP - jeez there was some rubbish available. And "Santa" was in his grotto - I felt like going in and asking what the heck he thought he was doing as it was only November!!!!! ;D
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Post by piggingardener on Nov 20, 2006 12:26:16 GMT
'Tis the season to be tacky tra la la la la lalalala! I don't usually put the decorations up until the week before Christmas but my aunt and cousin are coming up on the 9th so I am decorating early this year. We have a tree, and a decorated garland on top of the dresser which always looks nice and cheerful. We usually have lots of other bits and pieces which we always say are for the grandchildren..............  I don't do outside though. |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 20, 2006 12:46:36 GMT
I don't know whether I'm going to do a door weath or not this year - it depends on the porch progress. I'm not sure there will be anywhere to hang a decoration! I guess I could do a wreath for what will be the inside front door, because it will be seen through the porch window. Oh I don't know!!!
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Post by sweetleaf on Nov 20, 2006 13:14:19 GMT
Thats what Im planning, plocket , these days I couldnt be sure my wreath would still be there if hung too "conveniently" if you see what I mean.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2006 13:28:20 GMT
On the main road where I live, about half the houses have outdoor lights - reindeer prancing across the facade of the house etc. They stay up for most of the year, not lit obviously, but looking very unlit, sad and tacky. I dread to think what their electricity bill must be ... and if we're trying to reduce energy use and combat climate change, perhaps that would be a place to start. Sorry for offending those who like outdoor lights  , and I know they're great for kids, but ... This year we'll be away over Christmas (yippee), but I generally get a few fir offcuts from the florist, stick them in a vase next to the fireplace, and decorate that with a couple of old German Christmas tree decorations ... that's it, I'm afraid <crotchetyoldgitsmiley> ... cheers ... |
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Post by sweetleaf on Nov 20, 2006 13:44:53 GMT
I agree CC you should see the light display around here, already looks like Blackpool!
If they could just limit themselves to just a nice tree, then I would be less affronted by the waste.
BAH! HUMBUG!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2006 15:04:01 GMT
My sentiments regarding Christmas entirely, I have no interest in it at all. I will cook the dinner, it is the one day in the year when my father visits us, but that is the limit of my involvement. My daughter wishes to decorate the living room this year, in a very 'tacky' style, I said fine, as long as I don't have to participate. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2006 19:49:30 GMT
Believe it or not but on my way home from work tonight I saw the first house covered in "C" lights (and yes, they were switched on !). They seem to get earlier every year.
FA x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Nov 21, 2006 21:18:55 GMT
There's a house round the corner from me, the 'tasteful house' it's called. Looks like somebody has stood in front of the house with armfuls of tacky stuff and just hoyed it all over . Still, my niece thinks it's fantastic S x |
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Post by Jonah on Nov 21, 2006 21:34:12 GMT
look into my eyes, not around my eyes, keep looking into my eyes..... ....when you wake up you are a 6 year old child, the one that Santa Claus forgot. Mummy and Daddy are poor, the only light / heat you have is a gas lamp. But Daddy has won the lottery and he's been to B&Q....... See, bet you all feel different about it now - eh? Bet you can't get enough of those mooning santas!!!!   |
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TAT!TAT!TAT
Funny enough though, whenever anyone visits they always say how lovely the tree looks, but I think that is just standard conversation at that time of year 
