Hangers, fabric… A town in Pas-de-Calais replaces Christmas lights with recycled materials

The town of Hulluch (Pas-de-Calais) has waived the budget of 12,000 euros dedicated to Christmas decorations. Residents and a few elected officials got involved.

In the town of Hulluch (Pas-de-Calais), the Christmas decorations are all handmade. Most were designed using various everyday objects and the generosity of residents.

“These are simply hangers that we collected and made stars with. Then, we decorated them with fabric and we put decorations given to us by the inhabitants of the town,” says Sylvana Roger, municipal councilor of Hulluch.

Everyone was involved, the residents as well as a group of elected officials who volunteered to make and install the Christmas decorations. They have been working on this project since October, three times a week.

A budget of 12,000 euros wasted

This organization is explained by a desire on the part of the town hall to make savings. There is in fact no longer any budget allocated to Christmas decorations.

“We have already reduced our expenses with the arrival of inflation in 2021-2022. We had a contract for Christmas lighting for 12,000 euros per year. We decided to do without these 12,000 euros,” explains André Kuchcinski, mayor (PS) of Hulluch.

On the part of those administered, these more sober and unlit installations are a matter of debate.

“It may be missing in some places. Some years there was abundance, and now we are back to nothing,” says one of them.

For others, this approach does not spoil the holidays. “Of course the magic is still there. Afterwards, in the houses, I think that it is well decorated, well lit and that is the main thing,” adds a resident.

Whatever happens, the mayor of the town of Hulluch says he will not go back. These handmade decorations will be reused every year.