Or Register for FREE!


Welcome to our Cat Forums!
Welcome to our CatForums!
You are seeing this message because you are viewing our cat forums as a guest.

You can continue to browse our many cat related areas as a guest but you are more than welcome to register and join our friendly community of Cat Lovers! ... And for free!

Doing so will also remove this message and some of the ads, such as the one on the left.

Please click here to register.

Reply

Kazz's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Non at the moment
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 16,941
13-11-2011, 12:49 PM   #1

Make do and mend on the upturn


Has anyone noticed how people are returning to the "Make-do and mend" ways of living.
Are we going back because of the economy? maybe so...or because it reminds us of the safety of "times gone by" which we may or may not recall. Nan's for tea homemade cakes and hand knitted jumpers, soups etc times were we were safe and happy.
I notice a lot of people making handmade/homemade gifts now, and taking a cake/pie when you go somewhere. Sophie (niece 17) is well chuffed at the moment because they had a party/tea for a friends birthday and Sophie made the cup cakes and iced them (thanks to Nan's early training )

Is it a backlash towards solo ipads,computer games etc. just the act of someone stopping what they are doing and sitting down to share a cup of tea and piece of something and chating with you is heart warming.

A few years ago no one would say "I can't do that I can't afford it" because everyone had credit cards and wanted to be seen to be spending. Now it seems the fashion to save rather than spend and stay in and have a meal than go out and spend a fortune I wonder if we will continue down this path or turn full circle again.

But while it lasts I hope people feel comforted.



Reply With Quote


angieh's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Magnificent moggies
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 21,718
13-11-2011, 02:44 PM   #2

Re: Make do and mend on the upturn


I hope you are right Kazz - it's friendlier to the environment and encourages more of a community spirit. On a personal level, we are in the age group where every penny counts but we are rich in time, so making gifts, such as fruit liqueurs for Christmas presents is both enjoyable and cost effective. Have to say that we get great feedback too!

I would vote for anything that encouraged young people to spurn "must have labels" and opt for practical things. I am a believer in utility and it doesn't have to be ugly.



Reply With Quote


dandysmom's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: Leia: blue torbie
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Posts: 31,378
13-11-2011, 04:50 PM   #3

Re: Make do and mend on the upturn


I hope it is a trend, Kazz, a welcome one. As a Depression baby I grew up with the "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" mantra, and it's stuck with me pretty much thru my life. Not that I can't be extravagant or splurge, oh my yes, but generally a saver. I wouldn't want to be without many of the new technological advances, but hope a blend of the old and new will work ..

What a good, thought-provoking question!



Reply With Quote


Kim's Avatar
Kim Kim is offline
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 1 mog
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 3,848
13-11-2011, 05:14 PM   #4

Re: Make do and mend on the upturn


I hope so too, Kazz, but I think Eileen's right, a mix of the old and new. I have never done designer labels and think twice before I buy things now, but I must confess would miss my mobile phone and iPad! I do like the idea of homemade items, cakes, crafts, etc.



Reply With Quote

Reply