Money Moral Dilemma: Should I still put up my Christmas lights display given the energy crisis?

Bonnypitlad

“Iffit maks me ‘appy, Ah divvent give a toss, hinney” is the actual quotation from Dame Sheryl Crow

Spoonie_Turtle

MSE_Kelvin said:

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

For many years I've been putting up a display of Christmas lights in my garden, and I invite people in to see it in return for a voluntary donation, which I give to charity. I add to the display each year, so it's quite large and well known now, but I don't know whether to do it this year, as I'm worried about the cost [see MSE's Christmas lights cost analysis] and whether it's appropriate when some people can't afford to heat their homes. But if I don't, the families who come to see it and the charity will miss out.

You could donate the money to a local foodbank or energy bank, which means it would be going towards helping those who are really struggling.

My only moral concern would be the times there's the risk of shortages and people are being asked to relieve load on the grid, so if it were me I'd be considering turning them off in such timeslots.  But otherwise I see no reason to feel guilty.  You'd be well within your rights to take out the cost from the donations (or if you don't feel comfortable with that, maybe half?) as long as you make it clear the proceeds are going to charity rather than the whole donation.  Or, if you still don't feel comfortable with that, you could go with a slightly smaller display that you *can* afford.

Alnat1

G78 said:

Wouldn’t it be great if solar PV worked in the dark ?! 

It kind of does when you have battery storage although there's not been much extra to store recently with the dreary weather.

stirchleygirl

The choice is indeed yours and as others have said if you can afford it then it is your choice - I’d also go with switching off at the times the the National Grid has shortages - and perhaps for just an hour or 2 each night you could vary the times each day to allow those with different work schedules chance to see them lit  - I’d put a sign up stating your thoughts and reasoning on doing this year  - and as someone else said donate the money to different charities like one for local energy poverty or a food/hygiene bank - you could also (if you have the ability) accept physical donations(reverse advent) for a local food/hygiene bank or local toy/gift giving collection etc  - but in the end the decision is yours and yours alone we are only offering our own opinions 

keithyno.1

I’m not sure how this is a ‘moral dilemma.’ If you like putting on your display (which you obviously do or you wouldn’t have gone to the trouble in the first place) and don’t mind paying the extra amount on your electricity bill and can easily afford it, then go for it.

But if it’s going to cause you even the slightest financial hardship, then don’t. I’m sure you’re very proud of the display from previous years but it really isn’t going to ruin anyone’s Christmas if you give it a miss this year. 

As for the charity collection, well maybe that’s just tough in the circumstances. I doubt the amount you manage to raise is so much that your chosen charity have come to rely on it and factor it in to their financial projections for the following 12 months.

Boxman

As others have said the actual electricity costs should not be too high.  For example recently the local TV news featured someone who had gone way over the top with outside Christmas lights (flashing santa's, reindeers etc and 'Griswold' lights all over the house) which took 3 months to make with a total of 8,750 led bulbs. When asked how much electricity they used the owner said that according to his smart meter they only cost £3.50 each evening they were on!

dander

Surprised how judgemental people on here are about how other people use electricity. Surely the only decision here should be can the OP afford it?  
We all make our own choices about these things - there are plenty of people going about in this country having the nerve to be much richer than me, wearing clothes I couldn't afford, driving cars I can't afford, quietly using electricity inside their homes on extravagances like hot tubs, I don't see how it's any business of mine. 

ManofKent

If some people are economising and don't feel they can afford to have lights on, they get to look at yours for nothing, so they get some Christmas cheer for free.  
I'd hope no-one who feels they can't afford to put their own lights up would think you should follow suit, in some sort of sad solidarity.
As long as you can afford it, and especially if you're collecting for charity, go for it - cheer (nearly) everyone up.

brewerdave

My OH has just put our lights up. Sat down with the calculator and worked out that , for the next ~ 40 days it was going to cost ~ £22 in leccy. Hardly worth a miserable wife for that !!

sar4h17

You are obviously a very kind person so if you can and want to continue putting your Christmas lights up then do so as there are so many people who appreciate and look forward to visiting you every year. I don't know which charity you donate to but maybe one that helps people struggling this year may be appropriate