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Christmas Lights before Remembrance Day

Christmas Lights before Remembrance Day

Marie1955
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17

Marie1955
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 17

Christmas Lights before Remembrance Day
11/9/2018 at 10:19 AM

I never turn the Christmas light on before Remembrance Day and it really makes me mad when people do because it appears that they are saying: well, it's only remembrance day, no big deal. Shame on you, show a little respect for those who have given their lives for our freedom and our way of life. We have a lot to be thankful for. Don't forget to ring a bell as the sun goes down on Sunday and remember the 100th anniversary of the armistice of the great war, 1918.
Edited by admin, 2018-11-09 10:25:36. Reason: Title
Dugr71
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 254

Dugr71
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 254

well
11/9/2018 at 10:37 AM

You can look at it another way. All those soldiers fought for our freedom. Including the freedom to decorate, and turn on lights whenever someone pleases. I have spoken with WWII vets who feel this way. Now do we decorate and display essay to early? I certainly think we do, but I do not find it disrespectful in any way.
JANOLE

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 590

JANOLE
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 590

Don't understand
11/9/2018 at 10:54 AM

Never understood how turning Christmas lights on before Remembrance day takes away from Remembrance Day. I personally feel its too early to decorate for Christmas at this time but I know people who leave Christmas lights on year round. Each to their own and someone having decorations and lights on does absolutely nothing to me at all so let them do what they want.

Iceman69
Joined: This month
Posts: 513

Iceman69

Joined: This month

Posts: 513

gets you mad?

11/9/2018 at 11:02 AM

Marie1955 said "
I never turn the Christmas light on before Remembrance Day and it really makes me mad when people do because it appears that they are saying: well, it's only remembrance day, no big deal. Shame on you, show a little respect for those who have given their lives for our freedom and our way of life. We have a lot to be thankful for. Don't forget to ring a bell as the sun goes down on Sunday and remember the 100th anniversary of the armistice of the great war, 1918.

Edited by admin, 2018-11-09 10:25:36. Reason: Title"

Did you ever think that there are other cultures celebrating their culture? Xmas lights aren't only meant for XMAS.

Did you know there is a healthy population of Hindu's in Brandon. This past week and half they were celebrating Festival of Lights, also knows as Diwali. Lots of houses had their lights on.

Please educate yourself. It is not always about remembrance day. Upmost respect from me for people that served our country.

BTW to everyone, especially Mods and Adam.. this is no way of starting confrontation with anyone. This is a fact.

Edited by Iceman14, 2018-11-09 11:05:58

snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

Well...
11/9/2018 at 11:08 AM

I leave them off until after the Grey Cup. I'm one of the few who enjoys Christmas, but hate having it shovel down my throat. The music before December, the stores displays up at Halloween and already with the commercials & early Black Friday specials. ...I'm already starting to gag. How did a holiday season that once ran one to two weeks, turn into a two and a half month venture? Yes, that's how long it's now stretched out! From before Oct. 31st to just after the Orthodox celebration. It's almost to the length of an actual season!

Look, I know it's about personal choice and it's simply about a string of lights outside some houses... But, give it a rest. Many of us don't want to be reminded that we have only six weeks left of spending too much on shopping.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Cheezies
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1623

Cheezies

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1623

Light

11/9/2018 at 11:19 AM

Edited by admin, 2018-11-09 10:25:36. Reason: Title"

If a colourful light ( as that’s all it is), distracts you from remembering on Remembrance Day, that’s on you. Should all lights be shut off from Halloween till November 12th? What’s the difference between coloured ones and white outdoor light? I don’t decorate for just the upcoming holiday, I decorate because I find it pretty, in the blah cold early nightfall weather. Are we not supposed to like pretty things while we remember? I’m pretty sure they fought for Freedom and not to make sure we live in a dull colourless world for two weeks every year, remembering them. For what it’s worth, we remember all year round their sacrifice, not just one time a year.
You should focus on yourself, and let others focus on themselves.
So shame on you for judging how some people celebrate their freedom.
To all our vets, we thank you so very much for your service. And to current vets, may our colourful lights help guide you home.

Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

*sigh*
11/9/2018 at 11:22 AM

It always happens at this time of year. The Christmas V Remembrance day clash. The time between October 31st and November 11th wherein one is almost certain to find some social media blowup about something offensive in the context of the day of remembrance.

Last year it was a dollar store down east with a no third party items on counter space ruling (no poppies here, folks). The year before that, it was a store in St Piere Jolys that was allegedly taking the high road by not stocking Christmas items until after the 11th.
Sometimes it''''s complaints about Christmas lights on this early. Sometimes it''''s the retailers doing the season preparation too early.

None of this matters, folks. So long as we don''''t lose sight of WHY we do these things in the first place.

Looking at the state of the world (and in turn, the changing state of Canadian politics), this message is starting to get lost.
When one loses sight of the point, all you have left are symbols and pageantry. I speak only for myself, but THAT is far more offensive than any pre-11th of November holiday display or promotional campaign.

Edited by Simonwalcal, 2018-11-09 11:24:10
Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Trevor B
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Can
11/9/2018 at 11:47 AM

someone show me anywhere it says you cannot have holiday lights going prior to Remembrance Day? Does the Canadian Legion have any issues?

I get that people don't like that the holiday season seems to start earlier every year, but stop claiming it's disrespecting Veterans and Remembrance Day.

Brenda..
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9544

Brenda..

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 9544

Veterans

11/9/2018 at 12:12 PM

Edited by admin, 2018-11-09 10:25:36. Reason: Title"

exactly as you said - for our freedom, to do as we want.

Many have said they have no issue (being close with members at CFB Shilo)

I do not put mine up this early, but to those that do, go ahead, the vets believe it to be your right, your freedom they fought for.

I personally think our world is in so much more trouble than when to put up Christmas Lights.

melsey
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 905

melsey
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 905

....
11/9/2018 at 12:54 PM

So, is it ok for a veteran to put up lights before Nov 11?. My husband who served 25 years says yes. In fact he leaves ours up all year because he likes them.
don brown
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4956

don brown
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4956

Christmas lights
11/9/2018 at 1:07 PM

Maybe look at all the Christmas lights, and put a new meaning on them in the days up to Remembrance Day. View each light of a loss of life in war, not only for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but to any person who suffered from the horrors of war.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Remembrance Day
11/9/2018 at 1:12 PM

I respect that there are folks that share your opinion and have an emotionally well-intentioned reason for it.... but guess I personally see things differently.

My grandpa was a vet, is buried in the veterans section of the cemetery and he also just happened to be one of the big light display houses in town a few decades ago (going as far as winning awards). One of the biggest challenges with living in this part of the world and putting together a big light display is obviously the weather. The sooner you get get things put together the better chance you have of beating ground freeze up ... and the more time you can spend doing work that often needs bare hands.

Remembrance Day on the calendar means a lot. Its a day to reflect on sacrifices by so many in the name of what we have today. We’ll all remember, reflect and pay respect in unique ways and as long as something isn’t overtly malicious or ignorant I dont see the need for one person to tell another how to remember. In my case its a tip of the cap to grandpa and the biggest hobby he took on in his years after returning from the war overseas. Doing that has no bearing on my taking part in the more traditional ways of paying respect to him, to others who werent as fortunate to make it back and everyone thats fought for us to have the chances we have today.
sammy
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8749

sammy
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8749

..
11/9/2018 at 1:52 PM

I’ve never understand the logic behind this. Are you saying that people aren’t capable of celebrating more than one thing at once? Where does the disrespect come in? How is it disrespectful? I just don’t get it

If someone puts on Christmas lights and attends a ceremony, are they worse than the person who doesn’t light up until after the 11th but didn’t attend a ceremony? Who decides which is more respectful?

Those who fought for our freedom deserve respect year round. Should we never celebrate another holiday?
Meteor Garden
Joined: Before 2007
Posts: 303

Meteor Garden
Joined: Before 2007
Posts: 303

Xmas tree
11/9/2018 at 3:55 PM

I’m thinking I’ll put my tree up tomorrow, I’ll be too busy in the next few weekends to do it, so tomorrow is perfect. Offended? Don’t come over
melsey
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 905

melsey
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 905

....
11/9/2018 at 7:03 PM

So, is it ok for a veteran to put up lights before Nov 11?. My husband who served 25 years says yes. In fact he leaves ours up all year because he likes them.
*enter name here*
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2414

*enter name here*
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2414

Never
11/9/2018 at 7:13 PM

Never will I ever understand how this upsets people. Why do you let what others do have such an effect on your life? How does this hurt anyone? Just because someone has their decorations/lights on does not mean they are skipping over Remembrance Day. I usually put my stuff up November 1, and I've had people tell me it's disrespectful. When I've asked how they are unable to give me a reasonable answer. Stop letting what others so make you so upset. I don't care when you put your stuff up, so don't worry about when I do it. My Grandfather fought in WWII so I could be free to do things how I wanted and everyday I am thankful for that.
veloster
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 331

veloster
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 331

To me
11/9/2018 at 7:19 PM

It is a matter of respect.Lights stay off and I don't shop or buy anything on The 11th. That includes working I sacrifice what ever I can to honor what they sacrificed for me. They could no longer do any of the things I can do so for one day a year I don't do anything but watch documentaries and story's about them and remember
Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

“That includes working”???
11/9/2018 at 8:30 PM

Not all of us have the luxury of taking the day off- Eg. Police, firefighters, nurses, doctors. I will be at work on Remembrance Day, thinking of those who served
Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Trevor B
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Observe
11/9/2018 at 9:47 PM

Remembrance Day the way you want to, if you don't want anything Christmas, fine. But telling others how to observe and dictating what a person can and can't do is not okay.

Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 8881

Yep

11/9/2018 at 10:17 PM

*enter name here* said "Never will I ever understand how this upsets people. Why do you let what others do have such an effect on your life? How does this hurt anyone? Just because someone has their decorations/lights on does not mean they are skipping over Remembrance Day. I usually put my stuff up November 1, and I've had people tell me it's disrespectful. When I've asked how they are unable to give me a reasonable answer. Stop letting what others so make you so upset. I don't care when you put your stuff up, so don't worry about when I do it. My Grandfather fought in WWII so I could be free to do things how I wanted and everyday I am thankful for that. "

I have not seen anything that says how you must observe Remembrance Day. There's nothing that says putting up or turning on Christmas lights is disrespectful. The Canadian Legion has their way of doing the ceremony. Otherwise observe it the way you want.

http://www.legion.ca/docs/default-source/by-laws-and-policies/ritual-awards-and-protocol-manual.pdf?sfvrsn=4

BlueBranch
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 8

BlueBranch
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 8

Seriously?
11/10/2018 at 10:05 AM

Why cant someone who loves Christmas or who's kids or grandkids love Christmas, start to celebrate when they want? I can love Christmas and decorate for Christmas WHILE still showing mad respect for our vets.
Its mind blowing to me how people think the two events have anything to do with one another.
My birthday is the beginning of November, can I not celebrate it? What about someones birthday who falls on the 11th? Are they not allowed to celebrate it either?
Its ridiculous that this is such a heated topic year after year.
Trevor B

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

Trevor B
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8881

It's like the
11/10/2018 at 4:18 PM

BS outrage over people saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Christmas is only ONE day and ONE holiday in a time of many other holidays clustered around the Winter Solstice.