I think, Eva, that too many people are careless about live fire and think candles can contain themselves. Like throwing a 'dead' match into dry bush...yet there's enough heat to ignite the undergrowth and cause forest fires. I understand where you're coming from, but I was brought up to respect the live candles on the tree or anywhere we had them. That in itself makes a big difference when you control the candles and their fire.
Hi @Birgit73 Glad you are coming home. Cold here today and windy but supposed to be better tomorrow. My dig about candles stems from a couple of fires that unfortunately were caused by candles that caught lace curtains. We lost a total of 4 small children in those and I vowed to never allow a candle ever in my house. They are just too dangerous.
Hey, Evelyn ... I come from a tradition of live candles on real Christmas trees but we watched them closely with a special candle sniffer & bucket of water nearby. Also, the candles were parafin or sterin wax so none drip & long-lasting. We only ever had candles on tables burning in the room we were in. Lights were only on when someone was home. Will be returning to NS on Dec.30 for a two week self-isolation...yay.
I have volunteered with the fire department as an EMT for over 20 year, so understand the problems with electricity. Extension cords that people use for Christmas lights are always a problem as well I never leave the house with lights plugged in or "on" and even when they are on, it is from 5 to 9 only. All my lights are UL certified. Don't get me started on candles !!!
@JamaLlama - LOL! Over-the-top lights --- on someone else's house --- are okay, I guess, but sometimes people go WAY over the top. I couldn't even imagine living next to or across the street from one of these houses. It would keep me awake all night!!! You can leave your lights up all year, just don't turn them on! LOL
@thurman - I do agree with you that it is so gloomy after the lights do come down, but then you now have something to look forward to in the coming year.
@lovesgulls - Sylvia, I don't know how expensive electricity is in Germany, but it is not cheap here in some areas of the US either. I don't know how they can afford it.
@Mischka - I don't usually put up a tree [I know better] but I do decorate the bay window in front of the house and our "fireplace" surround. That's about it.
Evelyn, I have read so many articles that buying anything electrical from the Dollar stores is so dangerous. Please be careful - even the battery operated ones. Everything else is a great idea.
@Mischka Oh Mischka, here is some advice from an OLD cat lady to a new one. Tree, get a 3 foot pre lit tree from Walmart $40. Put it on a table or bench, on a box, I cover an empty cat litter box with pretty Christmas paper and put the tree on top of the box. Now it is nice and high, but or course they can knock it down. So, tie it to the ceiling or a curtain rod. My tree is in my Bay window, so I fold over the top "branch" and tie it to the curtain rod. They cats will strip every ornament off that tree if they manage to get to it, so I decorate it with those poinsettia branches (usually 6 on a bunch) from the Dollar store. $1.25 a bunch. I use only 4 for the entire tree. Just push the stem into the tree and arrange the "flowers" in among the branches. It turns out really pretty. Lights, again I keep them in the upper part of the window and I use battery operated LED lights. I suspend these again from the curtain rods and they take usually 2 AA batteries. They last a very long time. Batteries can be pricey, but again, consult the Dollar store. I use battery operated rope lights twisted around a cheap Dollar store wreath and hang that on the outside door. One rope in white (clear) and one rope red and you have it. Rope lights are $2.00 in the Dollar Store. So, those things all last for years and you have Christmas decoration for somewhere around $50. (All my cats are rescues and they are quite inventive, so I get it.) Good Luck. Evelyn.
We don't light our house for the public but I understand everybody who likes it. Prizes for electricity are pretty high in Germany, so I wouldn't want to spend so much money just for the fun of it. Everybody has their own taste.
I could probably but I am happy to get to February. However... I have one of those light up deer. I don't put it outside as they have a habit of "running away" so I set him up in the bay window at the front of the house. I don't really have anywhere else for him, so he stays there all year. I don't light him up after I take the other lights down, but he has ribbon type plastic tape woven through the frame that when the sun shines on it, you get the impression he has lights and so he is jolly all year round.
Why can you not get away w/it? Do you have City Ordinances? A few (very few) leave theirs up on their fence all year long. Drives my hubby batty going to work & it is too early for me. Butt I enjoy it @ night time before it gets to be daylight longer :)
OK, JamaLiama, If I thought I could get away with it, I would as well. I don't take mine down until the beginning of February. It is soooo dark after people take down their lights that it makes the town "sad".
You can NEVER have too many Christmas lights :) I love over-the-top lights :) Okay, Now I am going to see how any fit-throwers I will get from my next statement...wait for it...I wish people would leave the Christmas lights up & on all year round!!! YES I do :) :) :)
Evelyn, I am so glad you decorated this year. It does bring cheer to yourself, plus others that see it from outside. I love the holidays, but this year, I just can't get into the spirit. I will do it quietly with hubby and myself.
This is a little over the top although very pretty. I decorated this year more than normal because I think that we need a little lift this year. I did all of the windows this time. Last year I just did the bay window in the front of the house. I walked around the house tonight and I am really pleased with the look. I hope it brings some cheer!!!
Don';t really decorate at all. Once we're in Arizona, no family around so just the wife and I. Can't get into it. I do put up a tree about every other year.
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