Holiday spirit . . . does Charlotte have it? (apartment, how much, house)
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Ani, I think that it is a somber holiday overall. Many people either don't have the money for celebrations or are saving the money for the anticipated loss of income. I know in my family, there are no decorations save the nativity scene outside and the Christmas card display inside. There are no gifts being exchanged either. The boys and I will spend some time together, youngest son & DIL will meet older son & I for lunch tomorrow and then church tomorrow night. Oldest son & I will have dinner and watch Wall E on Thursday. Very simple. Too much uncertainty out there right now and too much sadness over the past year.
We noticed a difference too. We were out in The Overlook tonight on Mountain Island Lake at some friends and noticed that only about 1/2 of the homes were lit up or decorated. Seems like last year that more homes were decorated and lit.
We live on the 5th floor and no one can see ours except the birds and maybe some people across 4th Ward.
I agree, the outlook of unemployment and the fact that many just cannot afford the luxury of higher electric bills at this point. I can say my lights in the back yard have now been off for 5 days and I just now turn them on during the weekend. Oh and Christmas Eve and Day. Other than that, I know I am conserving as well
I am just not seeing many decorations up this year . . . not to the extent that I typically see.
Has Charlotte lost that Holiday Spirit???
Are you celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah in your homes - or have you cut back this year?
Any changes w/ gift exchanges or special meals? Going to visit family? Having family in? Decided to forego the family travel?
I'm as Christmassy as I've ever been. We've put lights and a wreath out on the balcony and little decorations all over the apartment -- even a little tree with humble yet sincere ornaments. And poinsettias!
We're spending today (when she gets home from work at 2) and tomorrow with just the two of us and our cats (and, I suspect, tummy aches all around.) I can't express how much I'm looking forward to this. I am rather FILLED with Christmas spirit - moreso than at any other time I can remember. The day after Christmas we go to her parents' house to celebrate with her parents and sister. Then, Saturday --- big old family Christmas party that includes a bunch of out-of-town (and out-of-state) relatives that will be meeting me for the first time.
Oh, and music! Don't forget the music! If it's not Christmassy, it's not being played here. While it's been almost exclusively Over The Rhine's two Christmas albums (they're an Ohio band and if you don't know them, you are sooo missing out!), we have managed to sneak a listen at a few others as well. We even went to the Amy Grant/Vince Gill Christmas concert at Ovens last week --- wonderful!
Location: Some got six month some got one solid. But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
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Doesn't matter what it looks like on the outside but what goes on inside. I'll probably put on some holiday movie in a bit (the first Die Hard or something...) and then look towards getting a few snack type things for the evening and tomorrow. I know once we get rolling tonight and tomorrow it'll feel as Christmas-y as ever, just with a little less lights and a slightly lower electric bill.
I've been listening to channel 120 on the XM radio, they've been playing nothing but old Bing Crosby Christmas radio shows. If that doesn't get you in the mood, nothing will.
I have seen less external displays in my neighborhood this year. As others have said, I assume people are trying to save money. Which is a good thing considering that spending money we don't have is what got us into this mess in the first place.
People are going all out with displays in my neighborhood. But it might be the last hurrah so to speak before frugality kicks in. We've chosen not to light up the house but to run the spa instead.
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