INEVER thought I would say this, but I miss the illuminated snowmen climbing over people’s roofs. I really never thought I’d say this because, in the past, I’ve pretty much dismissed the extensive light displays and the inflatable Father Christmas popping up on people’s homes as a bit, now how can I put it… tacky.

I’m not against outside lights. In fact, I like them.

I’m up for a nice display of twinkling fairy lights round a tree and I like those that look a bit like icicles hanging off the guttering.

It’s just the lights-over-every-inch-ofthe- house look that I’ve not been so keen on.

And I’ve probably been heard to wonder aloud, ‘How can people afford to have that lot flashing away for three weeks?’ Well, this year I have my answer – they can’t.

Perhaps there are still people in festive homes in some pockets of Worcester who have made the effort, but I personally have yet to come across any.

There are a few external lights about but nothing on the scale of what we’ve seen before.

This is surely the most depressing side of the recession that we’ve seen yet.

Those who displayed the lights last year must still have the equipment.

So I can only guess that this Christmas they’ve taken a look at the increased electricity prices and thought twice.

Or even thought, ‘We don’t know what’s coming next so best to save while we still can’.

But despite my previous reservations, I do miss them.

There’s nothing that says Christmas quite like a flashing Father Christmas disappearing down a lit-up chimney.

What’s not to love about a pretend reindeer-pulled sleigh that lights the way up somebody’s garden path?

The light displays may be excessive but they are fabulously, brilliantly so.

They are frivolous and, yes, a bit silly but in the past I’m sure their owners would have shrugged and said, ‘Who cares? It’s Christmas’.

Not this year.

No one knows what the financial situation will be next Christmas, but I for one hope that the Christmas lights will be back with a vengeance.

Otherwise I might even have to start a little display of my own.

And I definitely never thought I’d say that.