AWFUL Decorations Next Door, Yuck!!

[Imdanny]

[quote="Okie_girl|1323184717|3075254]Very Griswoldesque. [/quote]

We see people lie that in Hawaii. No, really. The whole family bought Out of Africa safari outfits. So ridiculous! I'm thinking people you're still in the US. Get over yourselves. OMG!

Laurie, lights are nice if there's not too many and they go off at bedtime but I'll never understand those inflatable piles of plastic! Sorry! Yuck!

 

[JewelFreak]

She goes really over-the-top for Halloween, as well. Her blow up things scare the hell out of my Pit Bull,

when Hannukah overlaps with Christmas I make sure to never make latkes on Christmas because Christmas is for Chinese food

LOL x 2!

I like light decorations too. Even when they're over the top, somebody put lots of work & happy time into them. Tacky sometimes, yeah, but always cheerful. Inflated plastic in the shape of some egregious cartoon character, no -- it's not Christmas, it's commercial. It conveys nothing. Daytime pic of the mess next door coming soon.

--- Laurie

 

[Miss Sparkly]

So, this thread is on page three and I really have not read everything yet but here's my take

GET OVER IT!

Seriously. The problem with being a grown up is the perpetual stick up a lot of peoples butts. It's one holiday; please realize that while this person's blow up decorations may be offensive to you, your perfectly placed Christmas lights around your house may be offensive to somebody else by glowing your cheer into their window.

eta: I read that some of you even mentioned how much the kids love these "tacky" decorations. Kids are amazing in their ability to see the joy and warmth in things that many grownups have forgotten. Smile and laugh and these cute and funny blow ups, it will make your life a lot easier and happier.

 

[Cehrabehra]

So lights are ok, but not inflatables. What about lights that are in the shape of something? My mother's neighbour has lights in the shape of a snowman.

Some of us believe that EVERYthing is okay - well maybe not the mating reindeer in the front lawn, but... people really ENJOY doing this and I say let them have it! Inflatables are just fine for some people. If you like it - do it! And if your neighbors complain, its their lack of spirit...

 

[asscherisme]

So, this thread is on page three and I really have not read everything yet but here's my take

GET OVER IT!

Seriously. The problem with being a grown up is the perpetual stick up a lot of peoples butts. It's one holiday; please realize that while this person's blow up decorations may be offensive to you, your perfectly placed Christmas lights around your house may be offensive to somebody else by glowing your cheer into their window.

eta: I read that some of you even mentioned how much the kids love these "tacky" decorations. Kids are amazing in their ability to see the joy and warmth in things that many grownups have forgotten. Smile and laugh and these cute and funny blow ups, it will make your life a lot easier and happier.

I agree with your eta 100%. Last year I commeneted to my kids I'm not a big fan of the blow up stuff (our next door neighbor has 2 as well. In fact from my home office right now, I can see them delfated on her lawn out my window.

But my kids told me I was wrong and they are fun. My teenage son does not like them but my younger 3 (all under 13) like them. The younger the kids the more they like them.

But even though they are not my taste, I take a live and let live approach with it. It may not be my taste, and I don't enjoy looking at them directly across the street from my house, but I ignore it.

Those displays on your neighbor's lawn may be making some neighborhood kids happy I don't think you need to have kids to decorate. I do decorate my house for Halloween. I figure since I don't do Christmas its my one time of the year to decorate. I started doing it for my own kids but I'll probably continue afte they are grown because I think its fun and trick or treaters reactions are a lot of fun too.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

So, this thread is on page three and I really have not read everything yet but here's my take

GET OVER IT!

Seriously. The problem with being a grown up is the perpetual stick up a lot of peoples butts. It's one holiday; please realize that while this person's blow up decorations may be offensive to you, your perfectly placed Christmas lights around your house may be offensive to somebody else by glowing your cheer into their window.

eta: I read that some of you even mentioned how much the kids love these "tacky" decorations. Kids are amazing in their ability to see the joy and warmth in things that many grownups have forgotten. Smile and laugh and these cute and funny blow ups, it will make your life a lot easier and happier.

Exactly! My kids actually yell out with excitement when seeing displays. It's such a nice change from the usual where they are arguing in the back seat (my boys are close in age and are a rocky road of best friends one minute then a bickering old couple the next. We often swerve all over the road while I try and get them to quiet down...I think we'll go drive around one of these nights and have an hour of fun in the car!)

Oh, and a funny note, last night I saw one house that had put red lights on the under eves of their house instead of on the trim and the lights are red. Made the house light up red: all evil-like and haunted. Reminded me of amityville horror, not the holidays!!! lol

Haven - that sign in the Chinese resturant window is so funny! Makes me want to order Chinese food this year. Unfortunetly neither of my kids will eat it, so I'd still have to cook.

 

[iugurl]

It's winter. The lawns are dead. No HOA -- discontinued by general agreement before we moved here. They got so intrusive, demanding authority not only over a house's footprint as it was built, but also over where & how big the rooms inside were -- a lot of stuff like that.
Bringing it back was proposed last year, zero interest. Not having one is great by me, except for stuff like this. I get along ok with this guy so am not even contemplating making a fuss, but sorry, it's uuuuugggly. If he had kids I might be more flexible in my opinion.

So you think it looks okay, MC? Me -- yeah, ok in the parking lot of WalMart.

Okay, I just thought I'd rather not be stuck looking at that horrible lawn all winter long. Not sure where you're at but here where I am, even in 29 degree weather, all my neighbors manage to keep their lawns green!

If it really bugs you, you can sneak over and draw a mustache on the snowman!

Where do you live!? Apparently you do not live around Indiana/Ohio. I have NEVER seen a green lawn in January. EVER. Unless there are different types of grass that does not turn brown when it is covered in snow, which I doubt, it is impossible to keep the grass green around here.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It's winter. The lawns are dead. No HOA -- discontinued by general agreement before we moved here. They got so intrusive, demanding authority not only over a house's footprint as it was built, but also over where & how big the rooms inside were -- a lot of stuff like that.
Bringing it back was proposed last year, zero interest. Not having one is great by me, except for stuff like this. I get along ok with this guy so am not even contemplating making a fuss, but sorry, it's uuuuugggly. If he had kids I might be more flexible in my opinion.

So you think it looks okay, MC? Me -- yeah, ok in the parking lot of WalMart.

Okay, I just thought I'd rather not be stuck looking at that horrible lawn all winter long. Not sure where you're at but here where I am, even in 29 degree weather, all my neighbors manage to keep their lawns green!

If it really bugs you, you can sneak over and draw a mustache on the snowman!

Where do you live!? Apparently you do not live around Indiana/Ohio. I have NEVER seen a green lawn in January. EVER. Unless there are different types of grass that does not turn brown when it is covered in snow, which I doubt, it is impossible to keep the grass green around here.

I live in WA state/Seattle area. As long as the leaves are raked up, our lawn stays green. On the side of our house, we could see where the previous occupants handn't raked and that part of the lawn thinned out.

 

[JewelFreak]

Here too, IUGirl. We have snow rarely but in late Dec. & Jan. temps drop into the teens at night. Quite a few ice storms. Lawn companies aren't even open in the winter, you couldn't get anyone to take care of your grass after Thanksgiving. In Florida & maybe Arizona/Nevada/Calif (correct me if I'm wrong, anyone) I imagine grass is kept green all year. Since we have a well, I don't put chemicals on the lawn either. ETA: Interesting, MC -- didn't realize that would happen there -- without treating the grass? You get a lot of rain -- does that green it up in winter?

 

[decodelighted]

Isn't this AMERICA? People aren't able to have dead grass and tacky taste in Peace anymore? It's not like this is a Crack House or Pedo Playland. The dude is lazy and unimaginative. Big deal. Since when are we all entitled to live in Disney-perfect Stepford neighborhoods? If you want to control what you see -- move to the middle of a forest and kill all the wildlife around you. Or build a giant bubble. Or move to the penthouse of a skyscraper.

 

[decodelighted]

Isn't this AMERICA? People aren't able to have dead grass and tacky taste in Peace anymore? It's not like this is a Crack House or Pedo Playland. The dude is lazy and unimaginative. Big deal. Since when are we all entitled to live in Disney-perfect Stepford neighborhoods? If you want to control what you see -- move to the middle of a forest and kill all the wildlife around you. Or build a giant bubble. Or move to the penthouse of a skyscraper.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Here too, IUGirl. We have snow rarely but in late Dec. & Jan. temps drop into the teens at night. Quite a few ice storms. Lawn companies aren't even open in the winter, you couldn't get anyone to take care of your grass after Thanksgiving. In Florida & maybe Arizona/Nevada/Calif (correct me if I'm wrong, anyone) I imagine grass is kept green all year. Since we have a well, I don't put chemicals on the lawn either. ETA: Interesting, MC -- didn't realize that would happen there -- without treating the grass? You get a lot of rain -- does that green it up in winter?

We don't treat our lawn with anything! My kids play in the grass and I don't want them exposed to chemicals any more than necessary. My neighbors may put stuff on their lawns, however, but I've never seen them do so. I just water it and rake it. Maybe if we get a lot of snow this year, it'll brown up. We'll see.

Deco - I was reading around one day and came across a web page that talked of a person who was told by his/her HOA to spray the brown spots on the grass green with spray paint! lol No brown grass is acceptable in America!

ETA - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/us/10grass.html?pagewanted=all

 

[JewelFreak]

Isn't this AMERICA? People aren't able to have dead grass and tacky taste in Peace anymore? It's not like this is a Crack House or Pedo Playland. The dude is lazy and unimaginative. Big deal. Since when are we all entitled to live in Disney-perfect Stepford neighborhoods? If you want to control what you see -- move to the middle of a forest and kill all the wildlife around you. Or build a giant bubble. Or move to the penthouse of a skyscraper.

My goodness, aggressive around here! Since it is America, I think we're allowed to say so when we don't like something. Why do people express themselves online in a tone of voice they would never (I hope) use to someone's face? If you like plastic blowup things, great, have 'em.

I don't think they help a front yard in any way, unless it's at a child's 4th birthday party, when they're perfectly super. For me, it's too commercial &, sorry, plastic, for Christmas & I wish I didn't have to bump into bigger-than-I-am cartoon characters when I go out my door. If it mattered more to me, I'd get annoyed at the implication that all public behavior should be acceptable to all of us all the time & that we're snobby, cranky, antisocial to have likes & dislikes & standards of our own.

This does not convey the spirit of Christmas when I see it from dawn to dark each time I use my side door:

 

[TravelingGal]

This does not convey the spirit of Christmas when I see it from dawn to dark each time I use my side door:

It does, if the spirit involves drinking too much eggnog.........

 

[MichelleCarmen]

This does not convey the spirit of Christmas when I see it from dawn to dark each time I use my side door:

It does, if the spirit involves drinking too much eggnog.........

hahaha See, you gotta play into this a bit. Get a six-pack of beer, empty all the bottles out in the sink (or drink away, if that's your thing) and put a bottle in the hand of each of the deflated characters!

 

[decodelighted]

My goodness, aggressive around here! Since it is America, I think we're allowed to say so when we don't like something. Why do people express themselves online in a tone of voice they would never (I hope) use to someone's face?

Yes, the greater sin here is hostile "tone of voice" on a typed internet post --- not POSTING SEVERAL PICTURES OF YOUR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE online with snarky commentary.

Good to know.

 

[iheartscience]

Hey, standards are important. If you let them slip too far, the next thing you know people will be getting married in a Waffle House!

 

[TravelingGal]

Well, I'll tell you right now, anyone and everyone who wants my help this year with a holiday avatar is just getting a pic of a blow up character.

Cheers.

 

[JewelFreak]

This does not convey the spirit of Christmas when I see it from dawn to dark each time I use my side door:

It does, if the spirit involves drinking too much eggnog.........

Been there, done that!! I like MC's suggestion.

 

[tyty333]

I dont think those look too bad...although he could spread them out around the yard a little more. My kids love those things
and usually the more tacky the decorations the more my kids love the yard! You need a good pair of the horse blinders when
you pull into your drive way (just remember...it will all be over in 30 days or so)!

 

[Haven]

Hey, standards are important. If you let them slip too far, the next thing you know people will be getting married in a Waffle House!

Can't resist. Have you seen this, Thing? He's my favorite comic ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz1cfwFmv1w

 

[iugurl]

Isn't this AMERICA? People aren't able to have dead grass and tacky taste in Peace anymore? It's not like this is a Crack House or Pedo Playland. The dude is lazy and unimaginative. Big deal. Since when are we all entitled to live in Disney-perfect Stepford neighborhoods? If you want to control what you see -- move to the middle of a forest and kill all the wildlife around you. Or build a giant bubble. Or move to the penthouse of a skyscraper.

Exactly! This is America. People aren't allowed to complain about their tacky neighbor's decorations!? Since when are we not allowed to talk about how certain people make their house SO trashy, that perhaps it brings down the whole look of the neighborhood?

 

[yssie]

I love this one.

Awesome.

 

[Kaleigh]

If I lived next door to a house that lit up every few seconds with music?? I would go insano...

But awful decorations???

I so wish I could post pics of the Plastic pink flamingos that the groomsmen put outside of our church at our wedding...

Here we are exiting the church arm and arm, classic elegant...

We were too happy to even notice...

But my mother?? OMG priceless

I heard about it afterwords, and was like that is sooo funny. Of course they decorated our lawn with them when we got back from the honeymoon...

 

[Arkteia]

In my church, X-mas falls on January 7th and New Year on January 13th (church calendar was never reconciled with secular calendar in Eastern Orthodox Church) so we and our neighbor Greek Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Does not, really, make a difference, but I have the excuse not to decorate our house with either lights or these inflatable things...not that I would do it anyhow.

Re. your neighbor being Jewish and decorating his house for X-mas... All these decorations have turned it into a semi-pagan holiday. (Hopefully, no one will get offended). How did Santa Claus end up in Jerusalem? Elm trees in Judea? (Any trees... King Solomon sold half of his kingdom for Lebanese cedars for the Temple...). Reindeers in the desert? These things have more fun, than any religious meaning.

Personally, I consider Christmas lights a horrible waste of electricity. I see many people in my neighborhood who stopped doing it, too. We have a park of Christmas lights close to our home, so we can take our kid there to see all these houses and fun stuff. It should suffice for the city. My husband believes that we should conserve water and energy (he is not ultra-"green", just lived in Germany for a while). Not only in the house, he tries to limit water and recycle in hotels, anywhere... I think that the world is moving in the same direction, and I'd rather see these inflatable things than lights because they do not require that much energy. Although they look weird in daytime, I am with you here, JF.

 

[VRBeauty]

Re. your neighbor being Jewish and decorating his house for X-mas... All these decorations have turned it into a semi-pagan holiday. (Hopefully, no one will get offended). How did Santa Claus end up in Jerusalem? Elm trees in Judea? (Any trees... King Solomon sold half of his kingdom for Lebanese cedars for the Temple...). Reindeers in the desert? These things have more fun, than any religious meaning.

My sentiments exactly! My mother is wont to get all huffy when clerks in stores wish her "happy holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas." I say show me the biblical references to elves, Christmas stockings, and huge visa bills!

JF- the big blow-up thingies are not my ideal holiday decoration either and I totally understand the spirit of your post. And as for a musical, whirling carousel - oy! I'm personally glad not to have that next door to me! But... the responses from the parents among us have enlightened me a bit, so maybe I'll try to be a little more tolerant of the blow-ups I see in my neighborhood. All that frowning isn't doing my face any favors anyway!

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Wow, JewelFreak, those are ugly as heck when deflated. (As someone who *does* live in a penthouse apartment in the city, I had no idea that those inflatable decorations were unplugged and deflated during the day. Live and learn!)

Eh, I think you can complain about them without reproach as long as you cap each grumpy diatribe with a hearty, "Bah humbug!"