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Original poster

Outdoor flashing Christmas lights are obnoxious & tacky

159 replies

Skyrainlight · 15/12/2024 21:58

One of my neighbours has recently moved in and has just put up the most hideous Christmas lights, red and yellow then flashing to blue and white, with aggressive unpleasant flashing back and forth. Fortunately they are on the same side of the road as I am so I barely see them, I see the lovely lights on the other side of the road that don't look like a tacky flashing casino. Is it just me or does anyone else dislike these lights?

OP posts:
Conniebygaslight · 16/12/2024 06:28

Skyrainlight · 15/12/2024 22:09

I love Christmas lights, I go out often in the evening in December and walk around and look at the houses that have put up new lights. My favourites are warm white, but I also like the coloured ones. It's just the flashing Vegas I don't like. But I hear what some of you are saying, I will try to lighten up. 😁

I’m with you OP, I absolutely hate what I call ‘banging lights’. Our lights are on a timer and come on straight to the banging mode, I race to press the button to static because I can’t stand it.

Ger1atricMillennial · 16/12/2024 06:22

I agree OP. Flashy lights are grim. If you want to have flashing lights.. good for you, but have them on the inside so no-one else is inflicted with them.

Bah, Humbug.

Tara336 · 16/12/2024 06:13

Aggressive Christmas lights? I've heard it all now

sashh · 16/12/2024 06:07

I don't see the point of them, if you are inside you can't see them.

ForGreyKoala · 16/12/2024 05:54

You are entitled to your opinion, but I have masses of flashing lights outside my flat, which were put up by my neighbour, and he hasn't turned them on this year so far - and I really miss them. When they've been going in the past he has occasionally forgotten to turn them off and they've flashed all night. I don a sleep mask and forget about them.

THisbackwithavengeance · 16/12/2024 05:53

I aspire to be the kind of person who lives in a house with Home Alome style Xmas lights.

I haven't even put up my tree.

HolyZarquonsSingingSeals · 16/12/2024 05:41

Flashing lights are hideous, but useful for establishing which of your neighbours are chavvy attention-getters.

BasiliskStare · 16/12/2024 01:25

Many years ago I walked down the south Bank of the Thames and they had the blue lights in the trees - early days of blue lights -and they were playing the Dr Who Theme music . It made me smile.

DarkAether · 16/12/2024 01:18

WalterdelaMare · 15/12/2024 22:01

Me. I hate all the tackiness. Some people have no taste.

but then what what would you say good taste is ?

MrsPeregrine · 16/12/2024 01:17

Redyrun · 16/12/2024 00:34

I blame American culture

What’s so bad about American culture?

MrsPeregrine · 16/12/2024 01:16

It feels like the no-fun brigade have turned their attentions from fireworks and wanting them to be banned to outdoor Christmas lights. There was someone on my local Facebook page who posted recently asking people not to put twinkly lights outside. It’s only for a couple of weeks each year and brings a lot of joy to people. Especially children. What will be next?

HumphreyCushionintheHouse · 16/12/2024 01:07

Radishknot · 15/12/2024 23:55

When did blue become synonymous with Christmas? I have no issue with tack, or colour & enjoy outdoor lights but I don’t understand the blue

The blue lights are usually for Hanukkah.

HumphreyCushionintheHouse · 16/12/2024 01:05

In my city, the blue lights are usually on homes that celebrate Hanukkah.

Moonlicker · 16/12/2024 00:56

Goldbar · 15/12/2024 22:34

Pleased that you've seen the light, OP 😉.

Show quote history

Waheyýyy!

brbg2g · 16/12/2024 00:55

Don't mind lights so much but flashing right in your window would be a nuisance.

Our neighbours have a 4ft nativity scene in their front garden across from us so when we open our blinds we have Mary Joseph and Baby Jesus staring in judging us.

Might prefer the lights to be fair...

Redyrun · 16/12/2024 00:34

I blame American culture

Redyrun · 16/12/2024 00:33

Wendysfriend · 15/12/2024 22:03

Every house beside me is like a knocking shop !! It's like a crime scene with the blue crap flashing constantly !! I swear every one of them were drunk putting up their lights. I miss my very old neighbours who had lovely festive lights, twinkling nicely, not sure what or who thought blue lights were Christmassy.

I Blame the Americans

caringcarer · 16/12/2024 00:31

I like Xmas lights. I don't mind if the house opposite has flashing lights on steroids because I just close my blind and console myself that my flashing lights DH bought are just as annoying to them.

Radishknot · 16/12/2024 00:02

I wouldn't have thought of pink being a good colour for Christmas but it was lovely.

I have pink (non flashing) & they look great.

Amybelle88 · 15/12/2024 23:58

I cannot stand some of them and I'm not into a flash, I always keep mine on without a flash.

BUT! Everyone is different, it's Christmas, it's not something I'd get worked up about - it's nice to see we're not all the same! I quite like seeing everyone's lights no matter how much they aren't to my taste, because I think "ah, even if it's for 30 seconds a day, that person gets a bit of joy from them".

I mean, maybe it's not that deep, but maybe it's just nice for people to see something cheerful. ☺️

aniloD · 15/12/2024 23:55

I love (most) Christmas lights BUT I live at the bottom of a cul de sac. There is an unlit footpath between me and my neighbour, that no-one uses after dusk.
The neighbour has kids and want s lights .... totally agree.
He has flashing lights down the gable end of his house that no-one other than me can see. He has other flashing lights that irritate me but that can be seen by others so ... they are not the problem.
I have to keep blinds closed, on a window visible to no one, because of these flashing lights, that no one else but me can see.

Blinky21 · 15/12/2024 23:55

We've binned our boring white lights and replaced them with lovely 80s colourful ones this year. There are plenty of lights on our street along with giant inflatable Santa's and dinosaurs, it's wonderful

Radishknot · 15/12/2024 23:55

When did blue become synonymous with Christmas? I have no issue with tack, or colour & enjoy outdoor lights but I don’t understand the blue

Goldbar · 15/12/2024 23:50

murasaki · 15/12/2024 22:52

The only thing I don't understand is why you'd ramp up your electricity bill for something you can't personally enjoy from inside your house.

Saying that, thanks house opposite, as your Halloween moving skeleton display was epic, and your Xmas display is pleasing to me.

Still wonder how much it costs you though.

Why do any of us bother dressing up nicely? It's not like if you're putting on your glad rags for an event, you spend the whole event staring at yourself in the mirror.

MaMisled · 15/12/2024 23:37

My tree and outside lights are incredibly tacky and bright and they flash. It's like someone has vomited Christmas joy all over my home! I love it!