We are going “minimal-ish” in life, everywhere we can. If it’s not very important to us or feels like a chore, we aren’t doing it. I put up a tree, a mantle, and a wreath on the door. Stopped sending cards, started giving checks instead of gifts to nieces and nephews. I am applying this to all areas of my life and it’s been glorious. Looking for more things to cut.

Anonymous wrote:I am from a European country and we think that Americans taste for Christmas decorations is tacky.

No one cares

I am from a European country and we think that Americans taste for Christmas decorations is tacky.

None actually. Still have the pumpkins out.

Anyone still waiting to decorate? Was wandering around the neighborhood this weekend and still so may undecorated houses compared to last year. There were definitely many more houses decorated for Halloween so everything just feels extra empty now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Fewer”

+1 it physically hurts to read that.

It’s less because it a general sense of things not an actual physical count.

NP. OP’s sentence should read “there ARE FEWER houses…”not “there is less houses.”

I noticed that at Halloween, actually. Fewer decorations. Some houses in my wealthy neighborhood are still going all out for every celebration, but there are fewer houses going all out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Fewer”

+1 it physically hurts to read that.

It’s less because it a general sense of things not an actual physical count.

Anonymous wrote:“Fewer”

+1 it physically hurts to read that.

For me it's a combination of things: I'm beaten down, it's cold out, and I decided to not nag my husband to do the outdoor lights and focus on the things I can manage and bring me joy.

It’s cold outside, I’m back to spending 2.5 hours a day commuting, and the world sucks.

I think for a few years during covid lights were a bigger thing because it was one of the few ways to celebrate

Anonymous wrote:“Fewer”

+1

It's only the 11th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Energy prices are high. A good percentage of power use in Virginia is going to power all the NOVA data centers. In Virginia, energy prices are expected to double by 2030 to power all the data centers. Yeah, people are putting up fewer lights outside.

This. Have you looked at your electricity bill lately.

Yes energy bills are higher than ever but putting up some Christmas lights isn’t going to greatly increase them.