Living it up by the sea

Organgrinder

As we approach Christmas I often wonder about replacing or upgrading things eg decorations. I do think  if or why we should. These days we often seem to upgrade or replace things that are still perfectly good, eg mobile phones.

This year for example I've upgraded my mobile phone. Other than that I don't think I've changed much recently.

How different it is to when I was growing up. Is it that we have more disposable income? Are things that much cheaper? Or have our attitudes changed? Probably a mixture of all three.

I suppose it affects everyone. I mean, it's not that long ago Prince Charles got an upgrade. ;-)

uralmaid

@Organgrinder - At home I use the same decorations I have had for years.  My daughter tells me off.  Every year I drag out the decs and amongst them there is a chain of 6 coloured pipecleaners she made for the tree when she was about 6 or 7 - (She is 50 in December)  but to me it is priceless. She adores Christmas and starts planning in January, whereas I am not so keen and also hate New Year's Eve . The real reason for Christmas has more or less disappeared. Nowadays everyone seems to just buy what they want, when they want it if they have the funds and it makes it very hard to buy presents.  The reason for the new decorations at the social centre is that a. they only have about 6 and b. we want to try and make the room look festive. It is a hall and even when people are in there enjoying their Xmas meal there is no atmosphere so we want to try and make it more festive. I will add that all the decorations we are making  are using recycled materials.  Ho ho ho!!

Organgrinder

Nothing wrong in reusing things or indeed bringing old unwanted things back to life.

I think the big difference is when you know things shouldn't keep returning when they're no longer of any use.

Savvy_Sue

May be too late for this year, but we're running an event in a local hall at the end of the month, and we've asked local groups to produce a garland of some kind to cheer the place up. It also gives them the chance to promote themselves. I've ended up involved in four such garlands, they'll be very varied!

uralmaid

Sounds good @Savvy_Sue. Yes a bit late for this year.  

Katiehound

uralmaid said:

Sounds good @Savvy_Sue. Yes a bit late for this year.  

But it's still only November!
Surely time enough if folk are using mainly real greenery?
 Nothing to stop you asking

uralmaid

There is only me and one friend who have taken on the decorations (and she is away next week)  The Xmas meal is on 8th December so not enough time.  Asked for volunteers but none have come forward.

Organgrinder

I think it's rather sad these days that anything seems to be very difficult to organise. I think since COVID there has been quite a shift in attitudes in many things. Eg, school attendance, absence rates amongst workers.

Society seems ever more insular. 

It's either than or I am turning into Victor Meldrew as I get older.

Katiehound

Volunteers for many things seem to have become almost an extinct breed........

uralmaid

@Organgrinder - I am picturing you now - sat in your chair in your pullover and slippers saying "I don't believe it"