Alex teases me because I like to look in other people's houses at night. I never smoosh my face right up to their window, so what's the big deal? I stay on the sidewalk. It's not my fault people leave their curtains open so you can ogle their pianos and chandeliers. And now I've found the same thing, but online: Square America's Christmas Spectacular! A collection of old photos and postcards from other people's Christmases past. Take a look. (Via Swapatorium.)
December 14, 2007
It's like looking into other people's windows
Alex teases me because I like to look in other people's houses at night. I never smoosh my face right up to their window, so what's the big deal? I stay on the sidewalk. It's not my fault people leave their curtains open so you can ogle their pianos and chandeliers. And now I've found the same thing, but online: Square America's Christmas Spectacular! A collection of old photos and postcards from other people's Christmases past. Take a look. (Via Swapatorium.)
I like looking in other people's houses too. I like to see how they have their stuff arranged and if it'll work better than what I have in my house.
ReplyDeleteNow I want an accordion and fiddle jamboree at my house this Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't, really?
ReplyDeleteI do this allt he time as well. Thankfully, the hubby never found it the least bit odd. An old roommate thought it was very odd indeed until he went to dinner with his old roomie and realized that she did it as well - at which point he wrote it off as a chick thing
ReplyDeleteIsn't reading a blog, without leaving a comment, a little like peeking into someone's window? :)
ReplyDeleteAh! That's a great site! How do you FIND these things??
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Mikwright cards? They take old photos and make hilarious cards out of them. They are the ORIGINAL company doing so; now there are lots of copycats.
Off to snoop through the neighborhood....
My mom and I like to peek into windows while on evening walks, too. From the sidewalk only, like you said. My mom, whose name is Barbara, does it so much that my husband calls her "Snoop Barbie-Barb." I really enjoy your site. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteWow, those old cards are even older than I am!! :)
ReplyDeleteMum
I totally feel you about looking into other people's houses. It's just so interesting to see how others live and how different it is to you. lol. funny how we all secretly do it.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone. A friend of mine thought it would be a good way to sell his art - just look in to see what kind of stuff they already have, and then if it was good or if they were woefully low on art, then he would put them on his mailing list. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteGenius!
ReplyDeleteI've been known to look into windows of other people's houses, too.
ReplyDeleteAH I LOVE looking in people's houses too! *phew* I am glad I got that out LOL!
ReplyDeleteDo you know that when we were in Amsterdam our guidebook claimed that walking around looking in windows is something of a national pastime and you're encouraged to look in and admire their "Gezelligheid" (loosely translated: cozy, conviviality)? No finer windows have I ever peeked in.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I live on a farm so nobody can go walking by snooping in my windows! ;-D
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm addicted to looking at those photos! How'm I supposed to get ready for Christmas when I'm sitting here for ages laughing at some of those crazy shots?!?! What fun!!
Mum
Guys, this one is my mom's favorite so far. I can't even imagine what the story behind it is: click here.
ReplyDeleteI think you would love Charles Phoenix if you don't already know about his shows. He collects old slides and does a hilarious (but loving) critique. You get to peek into people's homes and lives. His holiday show was great!
ReplyDeleteI love doing this ... my fiancee thinks I'm so nosy. I love the Mikwright cards too. Also check out foundmagazine.com. More peeks into other lives through photos, notes ... it's fun to think of the story behind them. I'm always looking around now when I go to the store or walking through parking lots.
ReplyDeleteOkay. Charles Phoenix and Found Magazine are my two new favorite things.
ReplyDeleteWell.. I do this too, from a distance. People here in Sweden like putting little lamps in the window, which makes it easy to peek inside, plus for some reason people like curtains that aren't even intended to be pulled shut. Needless to say, I like to keep my curtains drawn at night.
ReplyDeleteSo about the old pictures...You can laugh all you want at these pictures, but I bet you have some of your family from way-back christmas' past. I used a picture of my then 5-year-old nephew (now 15) dressed in a cowboy hat in front of the decorated tree as my family Christmas card. Card read: Even Cowboys Celebrate Christmas. For my New Year's invite, I found a picture of my parent's having a holiday party in the 50's. It was a trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteSo about the old pictures...You can laugh all you want at these pictures, but I bet you have some of your family from way-back christmas' past. I used a picture of my then 5-year-old nephew (now 15) dressed in a cowboy hat in front of the decorated tree as my family Christmas card. Card read: Even Cowboys Celebrate Christmas. For my New Year's invite, I found a picture of my parent's having a holiday party in the 50's. It was a trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteHere in Manhattan, there's some prime window viewing all over the place from the sidewalks. I love to do this also and my b-friend thinks I'm a freak for it. Oh, well. They shouldn't leave their curtains pulled back so wide with all the lights on. Usually, all you can see is the crown molding on the ceiling and a chandelier or two.
ReplyDeleteI do this too -- my fiance is always teasing me for people-watching in general ;o)
ReplyDeleteLOVE that site! I'm going to see if I can dig up some old Christmas photos next time I'm home ...
I love all of those sites. My fav is this one http://www.bighappyfunhouse.com/ I always laugh at the comments on the photos.
ReplyDeleteI love looking in other peoples windows, too. I like seeing how the decorated, especially at Christmas. I don't have a house, so there is always a bit of the dreaming for me, too. Great site, thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I were newlyweds living in Chicago we used to entertain ourselves with binoculars looking into the high rise across the street. I know that sounds terrible. It was actually pretty boring. The most we ever saw was people working out in the exercise room or one watching t.v. But it did pass the time!
ReplyDeleteWhen my girlfriend went to Wheelock College in Boston we used to look into all the girls rooms at Simmons College across the road.
ReplyDeleteI liked it when we got noticed by a girl we were looking at and then the show began!!!
...we were just admiring the college room decor of course!
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