Most people like to decorate their homes for Christmas. In fact some people get very enthusiastic! One possible reason for this behaviour could be the desire to communicate friendliness and cohesiveness with neighbours. In a piece of research, Werner et al. (1989) examined the possibility that residents who decorate for Christmas – but who have few friends on their road – may be using the decorations as a way of communicating their accessibility to neighbours.
The results from the study support the idea that residents can use their home’s exterior to communicate attachment and possibly to integrate themselves into a neighbourhood’s social activities. Participants indicated that Christmas decorations were a cue that residents were friendly and cohesive. Something to bear in mind when you pass your neighbour’s house and it’s covered in festive decorations…
Does this translate to the workplace? Do you decorate your office – or even desk space? Is there a group trend that everyone gets involved with? Observing the adornments of the spaces around us can tell us a lot about the culture and feelings that may not be immediately visible.
What do you think? Do you throw yourself into the festive decorating? Or do you feel slightly less than enthusiastic about public displays? I’d love to know your thoughts!