The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

Is decorating your house for holidays purely an American thing?  I mean more than just a Christmas wreath.

It started as a German thing.

The modern version of Christmas as we know it with Christmas trees et al was introduced to the UK via Prince Albert (Victoria's husband).

[merithyn]

CdM has a big smile tonight

I was talking to him during the game. He was rather pleased.

[merithyn]

I'm waffling on whether or not to decorate this year. I didn't last year, and this year I'll be gone. So basically, I'd be decorating for my house sitter.

[Syt]

Yo, British people. Do I read correctly that you used to routinely rewire the plugs for your appliances? And that most appliances came without a plug?

WTF?

[Zanza]

Is decorating your house for holidays purely an American thing?  I mean more than just a Christmas wreath.

It started as a German thing.

Oh tannenbuam.....

And became, well, this 

https://kaethe-wohlfahrt.com/Weihnachtsdorf-Rothenburg-o-d-Tauber/

Ah, I had thought of exterior decorations, which exist in Germany, but are nowhere as elaborate as what you see in the US. Interior decorations are indeed common here and have a long tradition.

[Admiral Yi]

I was seguing off my first giant inflatable turkey sighting so my question was intended to be about exterior decorations.

To open the question up a little more , are there any holidays other than Christmas that Rotwers decorate for?

[Barrister]

My neighbors put up Diwali lights this time of year.

[Malthus]

Worst taste Christmas décor: inflatable Santa holding a gun. Sold out of Bass Pro Shop.

Don't know if it came with a bunch of dead reindeer and elves, though. 

They don't seem to have it this year, though - only an inflatable snowman hunter with a gun. 

[Sheilbh]

Yo, British people. Do I read correctly that you used to routinely rewire the plugs for your appliances? And that most appliances came without a plug?

WTF?

What?!

No.

Also I wish we had proper American Halloween. I love Halloween. I also love Christmas, so this is a fairly good time of year for me

[mongers]

Yo, British people. Do I read correctly that you used to routinely rewire the plugs for your appliances? And that most appliances came without a plug?

WTF?

Yes, until about 15-20 years ago, and I do recall having to buy plugs for leads; now everything is like an IEC lead, figure of 8 or similar lead. 

Though some of those still have a removable fuse, so I have changed one or two of those in recent years.

[Barrister]

Yo, British people. Do I read correctly that you used to routinely rewire the plugs for your appliances? And that most appliances came without a plug?

WTF?

Yes, until about 15-20 years ago, and I do recall having to buy plugs for leads; now everything is like an IEC lead, figure of 8 or similar lead. 

Though some of those still have a removable fuse, so I have changed one or two of those in recent years.

I thought I had remembered hearing that, so I was confused at Sheilbh's response.  Thanks for clarifying.

[Sheilbh]

What can I say? The past isn't even past yet

I had no idea - have no memory of this and wouldn't know how to re-wire a plug. On the other hand British plugs are the one thing I will become a beer-swilling, hooliganing nationalist about 

[Josquius]

Why would they come without a plug?
Budget foreign imports?

[Tonitrus]

UK plugs are bulky and obtrusive...not sleek and cool like the American version. 

[Barrister]

Why would they come without a plug?
Budget foreign imports?

No idea.  Did some light googling.  Apparently the law changed in 1992 mandating a plug, but before that you had to buy the plug separately.