Dear Santa...for my PP Christmas, I would like....

[Penners]

He may be glad of it, Moo, considering the height from which he will have to descend.

 

[Flyfisher]

Looks dodgy to me. A grown man wearing a false beard as a disguise and dressing up to entice little kiddies to come and talk to him, offering them presents to sit on his lap and whisper in his ear :lol: . Mind you, the whole premise of Christmas seems rather far fetched, . . . .

Quite so, but we shouldn't let historical (in)accuracy stand in the way of some cheering celebrations during the deep winter-gloom. Except of course it's not cold and gloomy everywhere in the world at Christmas time, but cultural imperialism can be a powerful force and I've often been amused by seeing spray-on snow and other 'winter regalia' in shop window decorations in tropical climes.

Just as long as no one mentions 'winterval' . . . . . :twisted:

 

[Lime]

All I want for Christmas this year is the opportunity to see out of my own windows at some point. They are bad enough at the best of times but with a house full it's hopeless. Hence, I have jumped the gun and the dehumidifier is being delivered as I type.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[LadyArowana]

Except of course it's not cold and gloomy everywhere in the world at Christmas time, but cultural imperialism can be a powerful force and I've often been amused by seeing spray-on snow and other 'winter regalia' in shop window decorations in tropical climes.

Just as long as no one mentions 'winterval' . . . . . :twisted:

:lol: I know exactly what you mean, lots of fake snow happening here but it's well over 30 degrees most days. Not a problem for my Aussie friends of course as they are used to the Christmas BBQ scenario.

 

[Penners]

Just as long as no one mentions 'winterval' . . . . . :twisted:

Amen to that. Likewise "happy holidays" (particularly if it's said with an American accent).

 

[LadyArowana]

Just as long as no one mentions 'winterval' . . . . . :twisted:

Amen to that. Likewise "happy holidays" (particularly if it's said with an American accent).

I had to Google "Winterval" ..... what a very strange idea! It always surprises me that the UK gets it's knickers in a twist about people being offended by something or other. Because Singapore has significant numbers of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists we get the most important holidays for all. The attitude is much more that everyone should be able to celebrate their special day, and nothing wrong with wishing people Happy Deepavali, Happy Christmas, or Salamat Hari Raya, whatever. Even if it's not a day of significance for you personally, it acknowledges that it's important for others, I like that much better than banning everything.

 

[Pford75]

As luck would have it, business brings me to New York this week. So I'm currently sitting by my hotel window, looking out across the city - with Thanksgiving approaching, it certainly feels very 'Christmassy'....just a shame that it's still quite warm. NYC is at it's best when there is an icy chill to the air. Im hoping to use some time on Friday to do some shopping - works out so much cheaper than back in the UK.

 

[wobs]

Just as long as no one mentions 'winterval' . . . . . :twisted:

Yes, we can't even call it Winterval anymore, but now its "Christmas". Its PC gone mad I tell you!
OK maybe not.

http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/8356

Meanwhile the Daily Mail has admitted that there was never any politically correct attempt to rename Christmas Winterval - which has become something of an urban myth.

In today’s page two correction, the Mail says: “We stated in an article on 26 September that Christmas had been renamed in various places Winterval. Winterval was the collective name for a season of public events, both religious and secular, which took place in Birmingham in 1997 and 1998. We are happy to make clear that Winterval did not replace Christmas.”

 

[LadyArowana]

As luck would have it, business brings me to New York this week. So I'm currently sitting by my hotel window, looking out across the city - with Thanksgiving approaching, it certainly feels very 'Christmassy'....just a shame that it's still quite warm. NYC is at it's best when there is an icy chill to the air. Im hoping to use some time on Friday to do some shopping - works out so much cheaper than back in the UK.

Be careful if you are getting Mrs Pfords present, a lovely sweater that might be sold to you for a medium sized lady could well turn out to be large enough to insulate almost your entire loft space, although better than shopping in Tokyo where something in XL would barely fit a stick insect. Perhaps a little sparky thing might be better, assuming she wouldn't want her own angle grinder.....

 

[Penners]

Be careful if you are getting Mrs Pfords present [in New York], a lovely sweater that might be sold to you for a medium sized lady could well turn out to be large enough to insulate almost your entire loft space

Top tip for a thrifty DIY Christmas, folks!

 

[Pford75]

Thanks for the advice....but I believe that the little blue boxes are the same size in every country? :wink:

I think that a sweater (of whatever size) would result in a slow and painful death for me.

 

[Flyfisher]

I had to Google "Winterval" ..... what a very strange idea! It always surprises me that the UK gets it's knickers in a twist about people being offended by something or other. Because Singapore has significant numbers of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists we get the most important holidays for all. The attitude is much more that everyone should be able to celebrate their special day, and nothing wrong with wishing people Happy Deepavali, Happy Christmas, or Salamat Hari Raya, whatever. Even if it's not a day of significance for you personally, it acknowledges that it's important for others, I like that much better than banning everything.

Absolutely! I've never really understood the problem with celebrating our differences. Better than fighting over them anyway.

But really Milady, you'll be branded as a dangerous subversive if you insist on speaking such sense. :wink:

 

[LadyArowana]

Thanks for the advice....but I believe that the little blue boxes are the same size in every country? :wink:

I think that a sweater (of whatever size) would result in a slow and painful death for me.

Yes, the little blue boxes are beautiful ( well, contents of, rather than actual box ) and not subject to inaccurate sizing. Hope you get to go to their lovely shop with the famous clock, Mrs Pford is sure to be delighted.

Absolutely! I've never really understood the problem with celebrating our differences. Better than fighting over them anyway.

But really Milady, you'll be branded as a dangerous subversive if you insist on speaking such sense. :wink:

Not sure I could really be classed as dangerously subversive, although I did shock someone of very strong Christian beliefs by telling him that I was raised Church of England, but that it had "worn off" from living in Asia.

 

[Feltwell]

Because Singapore has significant numbers of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists we get the most important holidays for all. The attitude is much more that everyone should be able to celebrate their special day, and nothing wrong with wishing people Happy Deepavali, Happy Christmas, or Salamat Hari Raya, whatever. Even if it's not a day of significance for you personally, it acknowledges that it's important for others, I like that much better than banning everything.

Absolutely, tolerance is the key. I always made a special point of wishing my Welsh colleague Trefor a happy St George's Day, which always brought forth a reply which, although it lacked in positivity, it more than made up for in the inventiveness of the insults against the English and the level of expletives used. Always delivered with a big cheeky grin, of course.

 

[skier-hughes]

I would dearly love Santa to bring me a decent 3 section aluminium ladder, that way I could retire my dreadfully flexible 2 section wooden one to the kindling pile!

and me!!

 

[Penners]

I'm detecting a growing 3-section aluminium ladder theme in this thread - a business opportunity for some enterprising ladder salesman. :wink:

 

[middi]

Dear Santa
I am no fussy, but please - NO= B>>*DY= SOCKS- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

I have 3 children, 4 grandchildren, brothers, sisters , numerous nephews etc..... and my wife's directive to all them is " just get him a pair of socks"
Have you any idea how many socks that totals ? ( guessed it - LOADS-).
Now , I don't know if it is all done on purpose or otherwise, but I have hundreds of socks and it takes me half an hour to find a pair of- THE SAME B>>*Y COLOUR-!!!!!!.

So please , mr SANTA, on the way down the chimney drop all the socks on to the burning logs ( :wink: )

Kind regards

Middi

 

[Flyfisher]

I'm detecting a growing 3-section aluminium ladder theme in this thread - a business opportunity for some enterprising ladder salesman. :wink:

Yes, clearly some pent-up demand, so this might be a good time to remind ourselves of the dangers of working at height.

Here's an instructive video of a health & safety instructor demonstrating how a correctly fitted safety harness can prevent someone from falling off a ladder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVJUXkQSJyE

Unfortunately, he must have missed the part of his training that mentioned the importance of securing the ladder itself. :roll:

 

[Moo]

I'm detecting a growing 3-section aluminium ladder theme in this thread - a business opportunity for some enterprising ladder salesman.

The next question is where to get one from*. I'm about to embark on a major overhaul of our hall, stairs and landings and we have very high ceilings. And I get very wobbly if my feet are much more than 18 inches above the floor. So I want to invest some of my limited resources in a decent ladder, but want to be sure that I get value for money.


*Please note, young Gareth, that I'm not rising to your bit of playground smut. This time, at least. If it happens again I shall give you a detention and write to your mummy telling her why.

 

[Feltwell]

I get very wobbly if my feet are much more than 18 inches above the floor.

I would rather question if getting a ladder at all is a wise move then Moo!

However - depends on how high you want to go. Are decent stepladders not a better idea? My own (extremely vertically challenged, and similarly not fond of heights) mother swears by a small version of a set of steps like these:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Titan-EN1...pt=UK_H_G_Ladders_RL&var=&hash=item84b7788070

Basically ones were the platform she stands on has a bar going forward and above it at just over waist height (which for her is not very high !), with a work tray mounted on it. Makes her feel much more secure and gives somewhere to put decorating tools down.

I've got a large set of steps similar to the ones in the link above, the platform is about 6' off the ground. They're great, I'm quite happy standing on the platform 6' up but the bar in front of it is very low (about my knee height) and I certainly wouldn't use one that high if you don't like heights.

For ladders to use outside, 3 section ladders are great. I've got 2 sets of very large 2 section ladders - the biggest being rope operated and needing 2 people to put it up, it's the only one that reaches the top of the front of my house! The smaller one I can just about manage by myself.

But I've also got a little 3 section set that are only about 7' tall when closed, are nice and light and always get used in preference to the bigger ones wherever possible. They can't reach the top of the house anywhere but most jobs don't need that anyway. Easy to carry and you can put them up by yourself vertically, i.e. you don't have to lay them on the floor, extend them and and then stand them up - you can just push them up from a standing position. Easy to carry through the house as well if they're needed inside. I wouldn't be without them.