Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Neighbours complaining about reindeer food

388 replies

wasteful26 · 26/12/2025 23:45

Elder dc bought a bag of porridge on Xmas Eve to mix with glitter with their younger siblings and put out for the “reindeer”
As dc do on Xmas Eve they got carried away and as well as putting the food in our front garden they sprinkled it on the public road.
A neighbour who we do not know by name but to smile at had posted on the local FB page complaining about the mess which went over our heads but he then confronted dh in the street today when he was getting in his car.
Because of the old dry weather the porridge is still laying in the street.
Dh being his usual non diplomatic self wasn’t exactly friendly towards neighbour.
Ive no intentions of going out with a brush and shovel for what is a few handfuls of oats and it’s to rain in the next few days anyway but am wondering if this is something that others would be upset about in their street?

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 27/12/2025 11:36

MeinKraft · 27/12/2025 11:02

Half of them probably planning to jet off to Alcudia in a few months time with not a single thought given to the damage millions of gallons of jet fuel being spewed into the atmosphere does to the environment 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

Well personally I haven’t flown for ten years. Unless edible, glitter shouldn’t be strewn on the roads.

Whosthetabbynow · 27/12/2025 11:39

It’s littering. Sweep it up. Why get nasty with the neighbour. Talk about entitled

DisabledDemon · 27/12/2025 11:42

Well, I think you've got your answer! The general consensus is that you shouldn't have done it and having done so, you need to clean it up. Get your daughter to help you - it'll be a good life lesson.

taxguru · 27/12/2025 11:42

Stop being lazy and just go and sweep it up!

I8toys · 27/12/2025 11:42

Clean it up.

SP2024 · 27/12/2025 11:43

I really don’t get this reindeer food. Surely it just attracts vermin?

DisabledDemon · 27/12/2025 11:45

MeinKraft · 27/12/2025 11:02

Half of them probably planning to jet off to Alcudia in a few months time with not a single thought given to the damage millions of gallons of jet fuel being spewed into the atmosphere does to the environment 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

I haven't flown anywhere since 2016 so not feeling any guilt, thank you.

chargarl · 27/12/2025 11:50

YABU.
Go and clean it up.
And it shouldn't have had glitter in it in the first place. The oats are ok and I wouldn't mind children throwing that around in their own garden.
I wouldn't have complained about the mess on the street but I definitely would have looked at it and thought you were an inconsiderate, lazy arse for not cleaning the mess up.

SoMuchBadAdvice · 27/12/2025 11:52

Why would you want to litter your neighbourhood and garden with plastic rubbish? Actually, I wouldn't understand why you did it if it was biodegradable either, but plastic rubbish?

Why do people do things like this?

LauraHopkins · 27/12/2025 11:54

We had a mouse-in-the-house problem recently and DD was out on Christmas morning with a dustpan and brush, sweeping up the oats from the path that the reindeers missed. We’re pretty hot on not leaving food or crumbs on surfaces at the moment so clearly that’s rubbed off on a 5 year old but if she can take 3 minutes in the morning OP so should you, especially on land that’s not yours.

Somethingneedstochange78 · 27/12/2025 11:56

Get out there with a a dustpan and brush. It's actually harmful to bird's they eat the oats and sadly also eat the glitter with it.

CatamaranViper · 27/12/2025 12:07

Purposely inflammatory post designed to wind people up. Otherwise OP would have been back by now

maowmaow · 27/12/2025 12:08

Come on OP, you cannot be that blinkered that you don’t know spreading glitter outside is just terrible for the environment and wildlife?

Get over yourself and get out and sweep it up.

Christ sake some people Confused

Hoardasurass · 27/12/2025 12:09

@wasteful26 Its the glitter that will be the problem not only is it microplastics now in the environment for animals to eat but it will be washed into the water ways which is bad for everyone but as pp said its toxic to some animals who might eat it, but it will also be walked into people's houses. You really do need to go clean up your kids mess and not do it next Christmas, if your dc are still young enough for father Christmas next year put out carrots

Ohffsgetoverit · 27/12/2025 12:11

@wasteful26 you don't sound like a very good role model for your kids

Terfarina · 27/12/2025 12:21

I’d be annoyed by this because the food could attract rats. It sounds pretty gross tbh.

LuerLock · 27/12/2025 12:27

I'm sure this is a joke or wind-up. Even the OP's username (wasteful26) seems designed to get people going!

MollyMollyMandy33 · 27/12/2025 12:40

cocoloco12 · 26/12/2025 23:53

I am genuinely shocked your neighbour took the time on Christmas Day to complain about porridge oats on a fb page 😂 especially a few handfuls! Some people have very little to be at.
I hope your neighbour tackles those who don't clean up after their dogs!

I am genuinely shocked at someone who can’t be arsed to, you know, just be a decent human being and quickly sweep it up. Glitter, if ingested by birds and other wildlife even in small amounts, can be fatal.
Not sure why you find this amusing.

Terriblytwee · 27/12/2025 12:42

Are you that idle that you won’t pop out with a brush especially as it’s only the other side of your fence? Come on!

Pearlstillsinging · 27/12/2025 12:50

Bourneyesterday · 26/12/2025 23:52

You'll attract rats and mice as well by scattering did on the ground though the glitter is apparently really bad for them.

This. I'd not be best pleased if you lived near me..

bridgetreilly · 27/12/2025 13:10

It’s a crappy thing to do. Just put out a carrot next year.

Zanatdy · 27/12/2025 13:12

Of course you should clean it up. It will attract vermin for a start.

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/12/2025 13:23

Someone near me did this a few years ago. It got rained on and looked like vomit on the pavement. I agree with pp they should not have used glitter and should have cleared it up.

Astra53 · 27/12/2025 13:24

Your mess so you sweep it up. Also bad for wildlife and will be a magnet for rats.

MamsKnit · 27/12/2025 13:51

WearyAuldWumman · 26/12/2025 23:51

I believe that wildlife organisations are now asking people not to use this 'reindeer food' since the glitter can actually kill creatures that ingest it - so yes, I'd object to this being in a public space.

Not to mention the vermin it might attract.