On Tuesday in The Guardian's G2 supplement Jon Henley reported on the growing christmas craze of decorating not just the inside of a house but the outside also. Its happening all across the country. In Shropshire, in Oxfordshire, Norfolk and of course Leyland has its own fine examples...
house-bling Leyland-styley
The art (or sport for those who approach it competitively) even has a name ...'house-bling'. There's a book, a website and a blog -house-bling blog! Try saying that after a few sherries.
Chorley and Leyland Guardian have teamed up with Three Barrels brandy to offer £250 for the best dressed sparkly house. Send them your photos -competition ends 14th December.
While some commentators on the phenomenon lament it as evidence of commercialisation and not being in the true spirit of Christmas for some house-blingers the motivation is in part to bring pleasure to others. Which is quite a nice sentiment. Some also collect money for charity from passers-by and visitors delighted by their displays.
There is also concern about the environmental impact of the increased electricity use. Alex Goodhind one of the blingers in the Guardian article reckons his festive exuberance of lights adds £480, and counting, to his bill. However, he says he is trying to cut down on energy usage by using new low-power LED lights wherever possible and the family makes a big effort to minimise consumption during the rest of the year.
In the video below, John Hartley, one of the authors of the book 'Christmas Houses' gives his fascinating take on the whole bling thing.
He finds people are incredibly collaborative and supportive in their displays and concludes, "There's something that really wins your heart over when you turn that corner in the depths of winter and there's an amazing display of heat and light"...
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