I've been wondering for a while: Is it 'just me', or are stores really getting more and more crowded with Too Much of Everything? I don't mean just for Christmas (which is always a bit extra crazy). But I've been having the feeling for a while... Most stores now seem to be so full of Stuff that you can hardly see what's there. (Like, clothes racks so close together and packed so tightly with items that it's worse than my own wardrobes!) For me, it has the opposite effect of what I suppose must be the intention (getting people to buy things). Unless I know exactly what I'm after (and really need it), what happens is that I come into a store, feel that it's Too Much, and just turn around and walk out again. (And if there's shopoholic music in the background, I turn around even faster.)
(Photo from a department store in the city - taken from the stairs between two floors. Not the worst example, obviously, as there was at least elbow room for me to take the photo.)
This week, I've avoided going into town. I had groceries delivered on Wednesday; and on Thursday and Friday (grey, but rain free mornings) I steered my walks to the recycling center instead (where you can also leave certain things for charity). I can't carry much at a time; but at least I'm rid of some threadbare old towels, one vase not used in decades, three tealight candle holders (too hot when used), and one teapot (not needed and should never have been bought in the first place). My cupboards are still mysteriously full, though.
On one of my walks back home from the recycling center (hands free to snap some photos), I came across these last reminders of summer. Kind of sad and encouraging at the same time.
The weekend has been even greyer; and I decided yesterday was a good day for changing the curtains in my kitchen. As my regular readers will know by now, this does not involve buying new ones - just a seasonal change of colour scheme. I also washed the windows while I was at it. And polished that old copper kettle on the window sill.
I'm looking forward to getting my Advent window decorations up as well (stars and electric candles). But I'm not doing that until just before the 1st Advent weekend.
Since a couple of years, I'm cheating a bit with the balcony lights, though. As the tree I have now is not very Christmassy, I put that up already for Halloween. In daylight, when not lit, it looks like bare branches with white berries.
11 comments:
I love the tree and last year almost bought one like it to put in the nook. I did not and bought the Charlie Brown tree. looking at this I wish I had bought it. I agree about the stores being to full of stuff and I do the same, I don't like crowded stores of people or merchandise... and most of the shopping music makes me crazy
I really love the curtains! They are so bright and cheerful! Which is something we need during the winter!
Those curtains are always so cheerful to look at, and I am sure you welcome them like old friends every year, along with the rest of your Advent things when the time comes to put them up, too.
As for the "too much", it depends on the shop. There are some where I really don't like browsing anymore, but others are alright. The one in your photo looks reasonably neat and not overwhelming. And of course it depends a lot on the amount of people there. Normally, I like shopping for groceries etc., but I hate it when the supermarket and other shops are brimming with people, many of them inconsiderately or thoughtlessly leaving their shopping carts in the middle of the aisle or trundling about with not enough room to pass them on either side. Not to mention pressing into your back at the checkout!
PS: Those daisies are indeed both sad and encouraging at the same time!
I always know the season has really changed when your curtains change. Oddly I was in a shop recently looking for something and it occurred to me that I couldn't see through all the clutter.I think it may be that we are coming up to Christmas. Perhaps, though, it's a general trend I just hadn't noticed before.
Sandra, I'm sure the Charlie Brown tree deserves your love (and fits your nook)... On my balcony what I need (in winter) is lights. I used to have a chain of lights all along the rail. But when that needed to be replaced I bought this tree which is easier for me to put up. And I also feel that because it's less Christmassy, I can have it up longer.
Thanks Ginny. I've had them for around 30 (!) winters now... But I still like them!
Meike, I do welcome these curtains as "old friends" this time of year... They make the kitchen feel more cozy and help shut out the darkness in the winter evenings without me having to draw the blinds as well.
Graham, I think this time of year the shops always feel extra cluttered with Christmas stuff, but I felt the same even before they started the holiday decorations - especially in clothes shops here. It may be partly because it seems to totally clash with all the talk of environmental issues and the urgent need to change our consumerism. (Unless of course we *have* actually cut down on our shopping, and that's why the shops are full of unsold items!)
Bright light on a dark night - always cheering , warming or both .
It's the same here with shops, they seem to stuff so much in that it's hard to get around without knocking something. But there's something about this season that feels special even without the shops.
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